Robbins Report

Exclusive Interview: Marcus Miranda's brother at Cape Cod Hospital

Family Outraged - Three shots fired and two hit Miranda
Only allowed two-minute visit with wounded Harwich man;
Bullets still lodged in Miranda's crotch and thigh

By Peter Robbins

During an exclusive interview with the brother of Marcus Miranda Jr. and a friend of 20 years, both requesting anonymity, there were more questions than answers as they voiced their outrage.  Marcus Miranda is the 29-year-old man who was shot by a Harwich police officer September after the officer responded to a domestic violence call.

"They shot him in the penis and the thigh! What's up with that? Why didn't they tase him ?"
                 - Miranda's brother

With a Harwich police officer posted outside Miranda's room at Cape Cod Hospital, the family was allowed a two-minute visit. "They shot him in the penis and the thigh", the unidentified brother explained. "What's up with that? Why didn't they tase him ?" (that is, use a taser, shown on right.) "I think there were three shots, one in the ground and two in him."

Police would not release the name of the officer who was involved to the family. The 20-year friend of Miranda claimed, "He would not hurt a fly, he is harmless!

"He has depression and supposed to be on meds, when I saw him the other day and he seemed OK."

Miranda's brother went on to say, " His girlfriend wanted him out of the house and she called the police. He didn't know what she told them and he was scared so he ran."

When asked if Miranda had a weapon, his brother said, "He ran and was hiding in the woods. They say he had a knife but they never found one."

The brother and friend went on to say , "His girlfriend Amber told the cops he never hurt her, she just called them to get him out of the house and scare him."

"He had run-ins before but nothing serious. The Harwich and Dennis police all know him, and knew he had mental issues."     
                      - Miranda's brother

When asked if Marcus had a history with the police, the brother said, "He had run-ins before but nothing serious. The Harwich and Dennis police all know him, and knew he had mental issues."

Family members explained that the bullets were still lodged in Miranda and he was scheduled for surgery today, Tuesday. Family also expressed their concern as they were not aware of any charges or bail, and questioned why he couldn't be arraigned at the hospital if there were.

As the family members were leaving, they commented, "This is a high overuse of force for someone the police are familiar with, and the police are not cooperating with the family members at all."

An attempt was made through hospital spokesman Dave Reilly to interview Marcus Miranda Jr., but through Reilly the request was denied. Direct contact through hospital switchboard operator resulted in an understandable "no calls or visitors" response.

Marcus Miranda Jr.'s Facebook;
"Live by learn by and die by also pimpin."

In his facebook area Marcus Miranda (on right) describes himself this way; "I am a 29 year old man. I am in school for criminal justice. I hope to some day own my own private investigation business to help people and also find out who killed the rappers. LOOKING FOR A STRONG WOMAN WITH A GOOD HEAD ON HER SHOULDERS THATS A GO GETTA.I am a romantic and work hard I also cook clean oh and rap.I like football my favorite and base ball."

Miranda writes that he works for McNamara Bros. construction in North Harwich where he is a foreman and is attending Kaplan University as a member of the class of 2012 and is studying criminal justice.

Kaplan is an online university. Read about it here in Wikipedia.

He also claims to be a grad from Cape Cod Regional Vocational HS in 1999.

He describes himself as single and interested in women. He lists and shows photos of 28 friends, all except a half dozen of whom are women.

His favorite quotation is "live by learn by and die by also pimpin."

The Cape & Islands District Attorney issues statement

Cape and Islands District Attorney Michael O'Keefe, who is charged with investigating police shootings, released a statement late Tuesday morning.

According to the statement, the "Harwich Police Department received a 911 call regarding a domestic disturbance on Sept. 29, 2008, at 5:59 p.m. from the alleged victim of that disturbance. Harwich officers were dispatched to the area. A responding officer observed the alleged perpetrator, Marcus Miranda Jr.... on foot. The officer pursued Mr. Miranda on foot.

"The pursuit led to an area near Willow and Belmont streets in Harwich," the statement continued. "The officer ordered Mr. Miranda to stop. A confrontation ensued wherein the officer discharged his weapon. Mr. Miranda was transported to Cape Cod Hospital, where he was admitted and reported to be in stable condition. He has been charged with a number of offenses related to the domestic disturbance.

"The case remains under investigation by members of the detective unit of the Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Cape and Islands District Attorney's office," the statement concluded.

Officer involved still unknown to public

Harwich Police Chief William Mason declined to comment on the incident or the identity of the officer, referring all questions to the district attorney's office under a standing protocol between local police departments and the DA's office.

No further comment was available Tuesday from the district attorney's office.

Read the story of the shooting here.