Did Sgt. Crowley lie in his report ?

[Popeye]

Sgt. Crowley wrote this in his report:

When I arrived at 17 Ware street I radioed ECC and asked that they have the caller meet me at the front door to this residence. SNIP . As I reached the door, a female voice called out to me. I turned and looked in the direction of the voice and observed a white female, later identified as Lucia Whalen. Whalen, who was standing on the sidewalk in front of the residence, held a wireless telephone in her hand and told me that it was she who called. She went on to tell me that the observed what appeared to be two black males with backpacks on the porch of 17 Ware street.

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2009/0723092gates1.html

But yesterday, Lucia Whalen denied ever identifying anybody as or even using the word "black." In fact, she denies ever even having a conservation at the scene with Crowley.

Attorney Wendy Murphy, who represents Whalen, also categorically rejected part of the police report that said Whalen talked with Sgt. James Crowley, the arresting officer, at the scene.

"Let me be clear: She never had a conversation with Sgt. Crowley at the scene," Murphy told CNN by phone. "And she never said to any police officer or to anybody 'two black men.' She never used the word 'black.' Period."

She added, "I'm not sure what the police explanation will be. Frankly, I don't care. Her only goal is to make it clear she never described them as black. She never saw their race. ... All she reported was behavior, not skin color."

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/07/27/gates.arrest/


This wouldn't be the first time a police officer has lied in a report to cover up his actions.