Doing some general research we dropped by the Go-Fund-Me sites to see how successful the Philando Castile Team have been.   So far the three fundraising accounts, previously managed by Black Lives Matter activists, are exceeding:  $254,907.00
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  • Mama Valerie Castile’s account leading the way with $163,674  (link)
  • Big Sis Allysza’s account comes in second with $60,939 (link)
  • Lavish Reynolds account third with a paultry $30,294  (link)

Total $254,907

So far, a strong success.
Despite numerous felony convictions in Minnesota for Mrs. Valerie Castile (DOB 05/30/1956) including: second degree assault, fraudulently obtaining public assistance; as well as misdemeanor convictions for theft (three times), prostitution, DUI and public nuisance; and despite serving a 3-year-term in federal prison for felony forgery [21CCR-525244], Valerie Castile is fortunately supported by the overall public and by the Black Lives Matter movement.
If the Trayvon Martin, Mike Brown, Freddie Gray pattern is to be repeated – the funeral account and the Castile Justice Foundation will be established later.
Because there’s been a considerable amount of discussion about facial hair in relation to Officer Jeronimo Yanez considering Mr. Castile’s appearance as a possible match for a robbery on 7/2/16 (7:30pm) – fortuitously, Ms. Lavish “Diamond” Reynolds has presented recent pictures of Philando Castile taken July 4th 2016, only two days before they were pulled over by Officer Yanez and Officer Kauser.
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The pictures appear taken on the 4th of July, 2016, because Ms. Reynolds uploaded another video on the same day.  [ Mr. Philando Castile was shot by Mexican Police Officer Jeronimo Yanez on July 6th, two days later. ]
In her Facebook promotional video Ms. Reynolds is wearing the identical outfit, states it is the Fourth of July 2016, and discusses ongoing events in her social life.
Note of caution – some viewers/readers might be a little disconcerted watching this video because it shows a 4-year-old child in the car while Ms. Diamond Reynolds is smoking Marijuana and outlining her day in a rather, well, salty manner, for her friends, family and social media followers.
However, there should be no cause for concern or alarm.  According to the vast majority of comments from within the black community, particularly Falcon Heights Minnesota, there is a general cultural acceptance of very young children participating in the activity of adults who are using “recreational”, albeit illegal, drugs.
The fact that Mr. Philando Castile was reported to be employed within the educational or school system should not create any undue anxiety or concern.  According to those who have expressed opinion, this is simply culturally acceptable behavior.  Being “high” in elementary or pre-school does not appear uncommon:

Police officers Yanez and Kauser were on the look out for suspects in a July 2nd convenience store armed robbery.   CCTV Images of the armed robbery were released on July 5th 2016 the day before Yanez and Kauser encountered Castile, July 6th.

Suspect #1

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Suspect #2

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From the radio dispatch of Officer Jeronimo Yanez:

I’m going to stop a car. I’m going to check IDs.  I have reason to pull it over.”
The two occupants just look like people that were involved in a robbery. The driver looks more like one of our suspects, just ‘cause of the wide set nose.” 
A minute and a half later, the recording captures the first report that there was a shooting. (link)

The term “a minute and a half later” is prone to inaccuracy.  Many audio recording devices automatically shut down in real time during silent periods and do not restart until an audible sound is evident again.  The “minute and a half” reference refers to a recording of the police radio traffic obtained by local news media (see link above for full reference).
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[Attorney] Thomas Kelly, who represents Officer Yanez through the police union, told the NewsHour in a phone interview that such investigations can take as long as 18 months, but said “I’m not concerned about criminal proceedings here and I don’t think he is either.”  (PBS Article)

 

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