Topic: Police Fatalities

CNN's Don Lemon hosted a town hall addressing the deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile. Lemon cited statistics showing 518 people were shot by police in the first half of the year, while also noting a 56% increase in police officers killed in firearm-related incidents. A New York Times poll discussed during the event indicates that 69% of Americans believe race relations are at their worst since the 1992 Rodney King riots.

An Alameda County Sheriff's deputy, Jonathan Hamm, struck and killed a pedestrian while driving 18 miles per hour over the speed limit in Hayward, California. Despite the deputy traveling at 53 mph in a 35 mph zone at 4:30 AM, the District Attorney decided not to file criminal charges. The hosts contrast this lack of prosecution with the severe penalties a private citizen would face in a similar incident.