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Author Topic: Police fatally shoot 93-year-old woman in Central Texas  (Read 13004 times)
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« Reply #20 on: May 10, 2014, 08:11:08 PM »

http://www.chron.com/news/texas/article/Nephew-Woman-93-fired-shots-before-being-killed-5464871.php#comments

The comments are interesting, imo.
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« Reply #21 on: May 10, 2014, 08:58:20 PM »

This cnn article doesn't provide the information that Ms. Golden fired her .38 twice before being shot, nor is it in the story highlights.  That is a very important and relevant piece of information, imo.  The sweet woman got out a pistol because she was angry her nephew wouldn't give her car keys back after she failed her driving test so he called the police.  She was asked to put the gun down and didn't and she shot twice.  That doesn't sound so sweet to me.  Something was really wrong with Ms. Golden to do that. 

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
*NEW: Officer fired for fatal shooting of 93-year-old woman at her home
*Police, prosecutor say officer asked 93-year-old woman to drop gun; she refused
*Officer fired three times on Pearlie Golden at her home, hitting her twice, attorney says
*Community members upset over shooting of "Ms. Sully" and say she was sweet woman

http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/10/us/texas-fatal-shooting-officer-fired/

 
Hearne City Attorney Bryan Russ Jr. said Stem told Golden to drop her weapon at least three times.
Stem fired three times, and Golden was hit at least twice, he said.
She was transported to a local hospital, where she died.
The Hearne Police Department placed Stem on administrative leave pending the inquiry.
 
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« Reply #22 on: May 11, 2014, 04:02:02 PM »

This article says the gun Ms. Goldie had in her possession and fired twice in the incident belonged to her late husband. 

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/05/11/texas-cop-who-fatally-shot-93-year-old-is-fired/8966087/
Texas cop fired following killing of 93-year-old
May 11, 2014

A Texas cop who fatally shot a 93-year-old woman following a family dispute has been fired.

Hearne Police Officer Stephen Stem was dismissed Saturday by the Hearne City Council, four days after long-time resident Pearlie Golden was shot at multiple times at her home, about 140 miles south of Dallas.

Stem was called to Golden's home Tuesday following a 911 call from a relative. Family members refused to give her keys to her car after the state Department of Motor Vehicles rejected renewing her driver's license.

Golden's nephew, Roy Johns, told KBTX-TV that after his aunt, known as "Miss Sully," failed her driving test and he wouldn't allow her to use her car, she became angry and retrieved a handgun that had belonged to her late husband.

Family members said that Golden had grabbed a gun and fired two shots into the ground. After disobeying Stem's orders to put the weapon, Golden was fired at four times and hit in the arm and chest.

Stem had been placed on administrative leave before his firing. He did not attend the city county meeting. It was his second fatal shooting incident since joining the Hearne Police Department in July 2012. That December, he shot and killed Tederalle Satchell, 28, after responding to a call about people firing weapons in an apartment complex parking lot. Stem was not disciplined or charged with a crime then.
 
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« Reply #23 on: May 11, 2014, 09:32:12 PM »

http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/11/us/texas-fatal-shooting/
Texas police officer defends shooting a 93-year-old woman
May 11, 2014

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« Reply #24 on: May 11, 2014, 09:35:52 PM »

(Sorry, I hit "post" too soon above)

http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/11/us/texas-fatal-shooting/
Texas police officer defends shooting a 93-year-old woman
May 11, 2014

(CNN) -- A police officer who fatally shot a 93-year-old woman at her home in Texas is defending his use of deadly force and lashing out at the City Council that fired him.
Stephen Stem was dismissed from the Hearne Police Department on Saturday. He argues his termination was unjust.
"The knee-jerk reaction to terminate Mr. Stem was not about whether Ms. Golden chose to create and perpetuate a life-threatening situation. That is a clear and indisputable fact.
"Rather, the city's decision was about appeasing certain members of the community who want to make this case about Ms. Golden's age, the fact she is African-American, or the fact she is a woman.
"None of those factors played a role in Stem's decision to use deadly force," Robert McCabe, Stem's attorney, said in a statement Sunday.
His comments come as Texas Rangers continue an investigation into why Pearlie Golden, a longtime resident in this small town of about 4,600 people between Dallas and Houston, was shot multiple times at her home Tuesday.
 
Hearne City Attorney Bryan Russ Jr. said Stem told Golden to drop her weapon at least three times.
Stem fired three times, and Golden was hit at least twice, he said.
She was transported to a hospital, where she died.
"Police not only have a duty to protect themselves from imminent harm, but also innocent citizens who rely on them 'to protect and serve,' " Stem's attorney said in his statement.
The case eventually will be presented to a grand jury, which is standard procedure when dealing with officer-involved incidents, according to Russ, the city attorney.
"I would expect people to be upset about this, a young police officer shooting a 93-year-old lady," Russ said. "I'm upset about it. Most of our citizens are upset, but at the same time, I don't believe all the facts have come to the surface yet."
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« Reply #25 on: May 11, 2014, 09:40:16 PM »

http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/us/2014/05/11/dnt-tx-hearne-shooting-update.kbtx.html
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« Reply #26 on: May 12, 2014, 04:43:14 PM »

http://www.khou.com/news/neighborhood-news/Half-of-Hearnes-City-Council-voted-out-on-same-day-police-officer-fired-258820081.html
Half of Hearne’s City Council voted out on same day police officer fired
May 11, 2014

HEARNE, Texas – The same day the Hearne City Council voted unanimously to terminate the police officer who shot and killed a 93-year-old woman, half of them are voted out themselves.
According to a report from KBTX, Lashunda White heavily defeated Place 2 Councilman Larry Welch with 58 percent of the vote. The 589 votes for White to 425 votes for Welch is by far the biggest margin of victory in the council races.
Matthew Gomez, the son of Hearne’s mayor, was beat by challenger Hazel Embra. Embra received just 39 more votes (540-501) than Gomez. But it was enough to give her 52 percent of the votes and the Place 4 seat.
In a loss that is sure to sting, Councilman Steven Catalina lost to challenger Joyce Rattler by just one vote (509-508). It is unclear whether Catalina will ask for a recount.
Welch, Gomez and Catalina joined the rest of the city council Saturday afternoon for a special meeting to discuss whether to keep Officer Stephen Stem on the police force. They voted 6-0 to fire him, just five hours before the polls closed.

Mayor Ruben Gomez and City Attorney Bryan Ross both recommended termination.
Stem responded to a 911 call Tuesday from Pearlie Golden’s nephew. She was upset about not being allowed to drive after failing a driver’s license renewal test. Roy Jones says when he wouldn’t give Golden her car keys, she went into the house and grabbed a .38 revolver. Jones then ran to the side of the house and called 911.
Stem ordered Golden to put the gun down, but Golden refused. Jones said Golden fired two shots gun into the ground. At that point, Robertson County District Attorney Coty Seigert said Stem fired four shots, hitting Golden twice, once in the right arm and once in the upper chest. Seigert says they have not confirmed whether Golden fired first.
The case will not likely be presented to a Robertson County Grand Jury for a couple of months. But Stem, who was placed on paid administrative leave after the shooting, is no longer a member of the force.
Stem’s attorney tells News 3 he will meet with his client next week to determine the next step.
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« Reply #27 on: May 12, 2014, 04:47:39 PM »

http://www.kbtx.com/home/headlines/Attorney-Officer-Stem-Deeply-Di-258913191.html
Attorney: Officer Stem Deeply Disappointed with Council's Decision
May 12, 2014

HEARNE, Texas The attorney for a Hearne officer who shot and killed 93-year-old Pearlie Golden said the council's decision to terminate his client was a "knee-jerk reaction."

Hearne City Council members met to discuss possible disciplinary action against Officer Stephen Stem on Saturday. It took them less than 30 minutes to reach a unanimous vote to fire him.

In a statement, Stem's attorney Robert McCabe said "Stephen Stem is deeply disappointed that the Hearne City Council terminated his employment without cause, while the Texas Rangers investigation into the facts surrounding the incident is still pending."

McCabe said Stem is pursuing his legal options concerning the "wrongful and unjust" termination.

"Unfortunately, the knee-jerk reaction to terminate Mr. Stem was not about whether Ms. Golden chose to create and perpetuate a life-threatening situation," said McCabe. "Rather, the city's decision was about appeasing certain members of the community who want to make this case about Ms. Golden's age, the fact that she is African-American, or the fact that she is a woman. None of those played a role in Stem's decision to use deadly force."

Roy Jones, Golden's nephew, said he took aunt to the Department of Public Safety on Tuesday to renew her driver’s license, but was denied after failing her test. Jones tells News 3 he took her home and could tell she was upset.

Jones said he was sitting on the porch with Golden when she demanded her keys back. He refused to give them to her, and Golden went inside the house to get her .38 caliber revolver, Jones said. He then ran to the side of the house and called police.

Officer Stem responded to that 911 call. Stem ordered Golden to put the gun down, but Golden refused. Jones said Golden fired two shots gun into the ground before Stem fired his weapon, but Stem told McCabe he's certain Golden didn't fire the gun while he was on scene.

"What was Mr. Stem expected to do if not protect himself and Mr. Jones at that moment?" said McCabe. "If Mr. Stem failed to act and Ms. Golden shot and killed Mr. Jones, what position would Mr. Stem have placed himself in?" Was her life more valuable than the life of Mr. Jones?"

McCabe said some members of the community have said that, because of her age, Golden posed no real threat to anyone.

"If that were true, then why did Jones call 911?" said McCabe.

Seigert said Stem fired four shots, hitting Golden twice, once in the arm and once in the upper chest. Golden later died at St. Joseph Hospital in Bryan.

Stem has been a police officer since August 2008. He previously worked for the Cities of Bryan and Lott as a police officer. Stem joined the Hearne Police Department in July 2012. Six months later, he shot and killed 28-year-old Tederalle Satchell who was shooting a gun from inside a vehicle at the parking lot of the Columbus Village Apartments. A Grand Jury did not indict Stem in that shooting.

McCabe said the outpouring of support for his client has been great.

"Stephen Stem has been overwhelmed with support from concerned citizens all over the country who see the City's actions as premature, cowardly and unwarranted," said McCabe.
 
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« Reply #28 on: May 18, 2014, 12:33:04 PM »

http://www.kbtx.com/home/headlines/Pearlie-Golden-Laid-to-Rest-259675191.html
Pearlie Golden Laid to Rest
May 17, 2014



HEARNE - On a sunny Saturday afternoon...dozens file into the Old Elam Baptist Church in Hearne.

Pearlie Golden's loved ones, paying their respects and celebrate her life.

Many words have been spoken about the events surrounding Pearlie Golden's death, but on her final day above ground, words of support and guidance dominate.

"She's definitely going to be missed in the community," said Cedric Chappel, a neighbor of Golden's.
 
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« Reply #29 on: May 18, 2014, 12:35:20 PM »

http://www.kcentv.com/story/25545324/funeral-services-held-for-pearlie-golden
Funeral Services Held for Pearlie Golden
May 17, 2014



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« Reply #30 on: May 18, 2014, 12:38:37 PM »

http://www.kbtx.com/home/headlines/Fundraiser-For-Fired-Hearne-Police-Officer-Stephen-Stem-Raises-Thousands-of-Dollars-259453951.html
Fundraiser For Fired Hearne Police Officer Stephen Stem Raises Thousands of Dollars
May 15, 2014

BRYAN - Support is coming in from across the country and here in Texas for former Hearne Police Officer Stephen Stem.

And they're donating to a fundraising website set up by a police officer from Central Alabama.

News 3 spoke with this officer from hundreds of miles away, on why he felt it important to do this.

Donations are pouring in for a Hearne Police Officer now without a job.

Officer Stephen Stem was fired by the Hearne City Council on Saturday, four days after he shot and killed 93-year-old Pearlie Golden.

Her nephew tells us she was armed with a gun when Stem responded to a 911 call disturbance call at her home and she fired her gun into the ground twice when Stem arrived.

"Quite frankly I was outraged at the way he was being treated for simply trying to defend himself," said Chris Fisher, who is a police officer in Central Alabama.

He set up a GoFundMe webpage for Stem to raise money for his expenses even though he doesn't know him.

"Everyone knows that public servants don't make a lot of money. They live paycheck to paycheck and losing your source of income like that is devastating to a law enforcement family, so we just want to provide him with a way to support himself," he said.

Donations have poured in from Central Texas and across the globe with thousands of dollars already raised as they near their goal of $5,000 in just 24 hours.

"We received donations from as far as way as Australia from police officers and people who support law enforcement and the efforts of law enforcement. And it's been really good because so often all we get is the negative aspects where people are bashing police or they hate police," said Chris Fisher.

Fisher plans to keep the site up until Stem has a new job or financial stability.

Fisher says he plans to contact Stephen Stem Thursday and mail him a check soon.
 

http://www.gofundme.com/95mfno
Support a Wrongfully Terminated Officer


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« Reply #31 on: May 22, 2014, 06:38:13 PM »

http://www.tylerpaper.com/TP-News+State/200076/video-family-friends-remember-slain-central-texas-woman-93
VIDEO: Family, friends remember slain Central Texas woman, 93
May 19, 2014

Video
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« Reply #32 on: May 22, 2014, 06:39:30 PM »

http://www.kbtx.com/news/local/headlines/Hearne-Hosting-Second-Town-Hall-Meeting-Since-Shooting-Death-Of-93-Year-Old-Woman-260326991.html
Hearne Hosting Second Town Hall Meeting Since Shooting Death Of 93-Year-Old Woman
May 22, 2014

HEARNE - The Hearne Citizen’s Oversight Committee is hosting a second town hall meeting at 6:30 pm. to discuss the shooting death of Pearlie Golden and whether the city intends to push for charges against Officer Stephen Stem once the investigation is complete.

Golden was shot and killed by Stem on May 6. Stem responded to a 911 call from Golden’s nephew after she grabbed her revolver. He said she got upset when he refused to give Golden her car keys after her driver’s license had not been renewed.

Stem shot Golden after the nephew says she fired two shots into the ground and refused to drop her weapon. Four days later, the city council voted unanimously to fire Stem.

The Texas Rangers are investigating the shooting. The case will eventually be presented to a Grand Jury.

William Foster, the President of the Hearne Citizen’s Oversight Committee, says representatives from the U.S. Department of Justice and Mayor Ruben Gomez will be at tonight’s town hall meeting.

The first town hall meeting was held May 15. An estimated crowd of 75-people were in attendance.
 
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« Reply #33 on: May 22, 2014, 06:42:08 PM »

http://www.finalcall.com/artman/publish/National_News_2/article_101456.shtml
Outrage, firing after cop fatally shoots of 93-year-old Black woman in Texas
May 22, 2014

Officials in a small Central Texas town voted recently to fire a police officer who shot and killed an armed 93-year-old woman during a confrontation at her home.

The city council’s unanimous vote May 10 to dismiss Officer Stephen Stem came after a meeting that lasted less than 30 minutes, KBTX-TV reported.

Mayor Ruben Gomez had said he would recommend the termination of Stem, who shot and killed Pearlie Golden on May 6. Gomez promised that to demonstrators who marched to city hall protesting the shooting of “Miss Sulie,” as many residents called Golden.

Hearne police have said in a statement that Golden “brandished a gun” when Stem arrived, but have declined to comment further. Stem was on administrative leave while Texas Rangers investigated the shooting.

But Golden’s nephew, Roy Jones, told the TV station in the Bryan-College Station area that his aunt became upset when she was denied a driver’s license renewal and armed herself when he refused to return her car keys. Jones said he called the police emergency dispatcher, and he said Golden fired two shots into the ground before the officer who responded shot her.

Authorities say a revolver believed to be the weapon Golden had at the time of the shooting was found at the scene.

Robertson County District Attorney Coty Siegert said because the case is still under investigation, he could neither confirm nor deny that Golden fired her gun. He said a preliminary autopsy shows Golden was shot twice in the body and grazed by a third bullet.

Stem’s attorney, Robert McCabe, said he believes his client’s actions were justified under the circumstances and called the mayor’s comments inappropriate and unprofessional.
 
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« Reply #34 on: July 08, 2014, 05:19:21 PM »

http://www.theeagle.com/news/local/city-of-hearne-members-of-police-force-named-in-racial/article_a390f1ab-c7e4-5ba3-b1fa-cdb349d004a6.html
City of Hearne, members of police force named in racial profiling lawsuit
June 11, 2014


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« Reply #35 on: August 13, 2014, 02:00:52 AM »

http://www.kbtx.com/home/headlines/Grand-Jury-Hearing-Officer-Stem-Case-Rescheduled-270931631.html
Shooting Death Of Elderly Woman Not Presented To Grand Jury Today As Expected
August 12, 2014

FRANKLIN – The case of the former Hearne police officer who shot and killed a 93-year-old woman was supposed to be presented to a Robertson County Grand Jury today. But, the hearing was delayed. Only ten of the 12 grand jurors reported for duty and one more had to recuse themselves. Nine yes votes are needed for an indictment.

Pearlie Golden was shot and killed by Stephen Stem on May 6. Stem responded to a 911 call from Golden’s nephew, Roy Jones, Jr., after she grabbed her revolver. Jones said she got upset when he refused to give Golden her car keys after her driver’s license had not been renewed.

Jones says Stem shot Golden after she fired two shots into the ground and refused to drop her weapon. But Stem told his attorney that Golden never fired any shots. Four days later, the city council voted unanimously to fire Stem.

The Texas Rangers investigated the shooting and then turned their findings over the District Attorney’s Office.

The District Attorney’s Office will now be present the case to the Grand Jury on September 9.
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« Reply #36 on: September 09, 2014, 08:59:02 PM »

http://www.kwtx.com/home/headlines/Grand-Jury-Clears-Ex-Officer-Who-Shot-Killed-Elderly-Area-Woman-274519821.html
Grand Jury Clears Ex-Officer Who Shot, Killed Elderly Area Woman
September 9, 2014

HEARNE (September 9, 2014) The Robertson County Grand Jury Tuesday declined to indict former Hearne police officer Stephen Stem in the shooting death of an elderly woman who was brandishing a gun, KBTX-TV in Bryan reported.
 







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« Reply #37 on: September 09, 2014, 09:00:53 PM »

http://wtaw.com/2014/09/09/former-hearne-policeman-billed-robertson-county-grand-jury/
Former Hearne Policeman No Billed by Robertson County Grand Jury
September 9, 2014

News release courtesy of Robertson County District Attorney Coty Siegert:


Today the Robertson County District Attorney’s Office presented to Grand Jury the case regarding the May 6, 2014 shooting death of Pearlie Golden by Hearne PD Officer Stephen Stem. Upon conclusion of the presentation of evidence and deliberation, the Grand Jury returned a “No Bill” on the charge of Murder against Officer Stem.
This determination is not a comment on the enormous tragedy resultant from any loss of life, and more specifically the life of Pearly Golden. This is a determination by the duly empanelled Grand Jury that the evidence does not reach the level of probable cause on the Murder charge. Due to the secrecy of Grand Jury proceedings, the District Attorney’s Office can not divulge anything that happened in Grand Jury. I can say that the Grand Jurors took their oaths very seriously and considered every aspect of this tragedy before reaching a determination based on the actual evidence.
There was a very thorough and in depth investigation conducted by the Texas Rangers. The simplified version of this investigation is that Officer Stem was responding to a 911 call of a possible Aggravated Assault with an armed individual. Upon arriving on scene, Officer Stem met with the reporting party, Roy Jones, Jr, the nephew of Pearlie Golden, who informed Officer Stem that she did have a gun. As Officer Stem approached the home and upon coming around the corner of the house, they were confronted by Miss Golden who was carrying a 38 Special revolver. Miss Golden was told twice by Jones to put the gun down. Miss Golden was instructed by Officer Stem 4 times to put the gun down. Miss Golden continued to approach the Officer and lifted the gun to point it at the Officer. It was at this time that officer Stem fired his weapon striking Miss Golden twice. Officer Stem immediately called for EMS.
 
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« Reply #38 on: September 09, 2014, 09:02:54 PM »

http://www.kbtx.com/home/headlines/No-Charges-Against-Former-Hearne-Police-Officer-Who-Killed-Elderly-Woman-274518131.html
No Charges Against Former Hearne Police Officer Who Killed Elderly Woman
September 9, 2014

 
The Texas Rangers investigated the shooting and then turned their findings over the District Attorney’s Office.

The case was originally supposed to be presented to the grand jury in August. But, the hearing was delayed. Only 10 of the 12 grand jurors reported for duty and one more had to recuse themselves. Nine yes votes are needed for an indictment.
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« Reply #39 on: February 10, 2015, 06:28:23 PM »

http://www.kbtx.com/home/headlines/Former-Hearne-Officer-Stephen-Stems-Wrongful-Termination-Suit-Dismissed-291403671.html
Former Hearne Officer Stephen Stem's Wrongful Termination Suit Dismissed
February 10, 2015

HEARNE - A federal judge has dismissed the wrongful termination lawsuit by the former Hearne Police Officer who shot and killed an elderly woman

Stephen Stem was fired last May, just days after he shot and killed 93-year-old Pearlie Golden.

The judge says city council members did nothing wrong by firing Stem, even though he was cleared by a Grand Jury.

A former Hearne Police Officer has lost his suit against the city.

Stephen Stem sued for wrongful termination after he was fired by the City Council last May.

The firing came just four days after he shot and killed 93-year-old Pearlie Golden.

Golden was armed with a gun and upset that her nephew would not let her drive after being denied a license

The judge dismissed the case because Texas is an at-will state which basically means an employee can be fired at any time, for just about any reason.

During a vigil following Golden's death, Hearne Mayor Reuben Gomez said he and the council had lost confidence in the officer.

"I just want to assure the public that we are as concerned as everyone here today," said Gomez on May 7, 2014.

On Tuesday, Mayor Gomez told us they are glad to have the case behind them.

The attorney who handled Stem's case during the investigation thinks Hearne jumped the gun.

"We're disappointed that he was terminated. We are disappointed that he did not receive an offer to have his job reinstated when he was cleared of any wrongdoing. But he has moved on and he has no interest in coming back to employment with the City of Hearne," said Robert McCabe, Stem's Attorney.

It's unclear what Stephen Stem is currently doing or what his next steps will be now that this case has been tossed out.

Quannel X, the leader of New Black Panther Nation, a group that came to protest in Hearne following the shooting, feels Stem does not deserve another chance.

"I believe that that officer is unfit to patrol the streets of Texas and I would discourage any law enforcement agency in Texas giving him a uniform and a gun and a badge to represent their law enforcement department," Quannel X said.

Stem's attorney tells us his client still wants to be a police officer despite the nine month ordeal.

Stem was investigated by the Texas Rangers and then cleared by a Grand Jury in September.
 
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