latimes--2020-09-02--Stall tactics. Distractions. Lobbying. How police reform was derailed in California

By the time the sun set at the Capitol on Monday evening , hours from a legal deadline to pass bills for the year , state Sen. Steven Bradford knew his proposal to strip badges from troubled officers was in trouble .
For weeks prior , police reform bills were points of contention — even among Democratic legislators publicly sympathetic to the cause but privately circumspect , often under the pressure of intense lobbying by law enforcement interests .
But then , in the last hours , chaos broke out at the Capitol , with technological troubles , overt anger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Senate to a halt and slowing business throughout the building .
Bradford ( D-Gardena ) was unable to even have the bill called for a floor vote in the state Assembly , he said .
Bradford contends more than one colleague used the tumult of the night to slow his bill and keep it from getting a vote — thereby saving those on the fence from having to go on the record opposing police reform at a time when the majority of Californians are in support of it .
“ What we went @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Bradford on Tuesday .
“ A lot of them just chose to use the clock as their excuse and the later it got the more cover they had.
” Bradford ’ s bill had company .
Legislative proposals to give citizens access to more police personnel records and curtail the use of tear gas and rubber bullets at protests were among those that perished late Monday without a vote .
Their demise marks the end of a legislative session that began with more than a dozen proposals for more law enforcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ handful of modest wins .
Overall , it was a demonstration that law enforcement unions still hold serious sway at the Capitol , especially when given an assist by late-session disarray .
Some reform advocates were surprised .
“ Many of us didn ’ t really foresee as much opposition as we wound up getting , ” said Melina Abdullah , founder of Black Lives Matter Los Angeles , which co-sponsored Bradford ’ s bill .
“ I think it ’ s outrageous and tragic.
” After George Floyd was killed in Minnesota @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country , spurring the police reform proposals .
Bradford ’ s bill , SB 731 , quickly became the top target for police unions , nearly all unhappy with its plan for a strong citizen ’ s oversight commission that included family of victims of police violence .
Law enforcement interests also set their sights on a measure , SB 776 , by state Sen. Nancy Skinner ( D-Berkeley ) , to open more police personnel records to the public .
But with lawmakers facing a massive budget deficit , wildfires , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , police reform competed for attention in the subsequent weeks .
Not even protests around the death of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin in recent days brought the early momentum back .
On the night lawmakers ended their session , L.A. Sheriff ’ s deputies shot and killed a Black man in South Los Angeles , but by then , everything was happening too fast .
“ All the sudden so many other things were distracting the public and distracting the members , ” said Skinner .
“ Did [ law enforcement ] take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but yet they didn ’ t have to take advantage .
It just happened.
” To cut through that , lobbyists both for and against police reform had waged a fierce fight in the final week to recapture legislators ’ support .
Kim Kardashian West and singer Aloe Blacc took to Twitter to call out specific legislators , demanding they support Bradford ’ s bill .
Police unions quietly countered with discreet conversations with friendly legislators about the hurried nature of those bills — both of which were introduced only weeks earlier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year .
Then , on Monday night , with Republican legislators unhappy at being forced to vote remotely after being banned from the building because of a potential GOP coronavirus outbreak , the situation became even more turbulent .
A fight broke out in the Senate between leadership trying to move bills along by limiting debate and Republicans forced to zoom in their votes amid endless mute-unmute fiascos .
Republican Sen. Melissa Melendez ( R-Lake Elsinore ) used an expletive on Twitter to accuse the Democrats of limiting to two the number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ silences the voices of millions of people so Democrats have enough time to pass their crappy bills before midnight .
This is outrageous , ” she wrote .
Skinner shot back with tweets of her own , writing that “ Democracy is a team sport .
The Legislature is a team sport .
One of the teams is acting out and undermining the People ’ s Business .
It ’ s bad sportsmanship , and it ’ s wrong.
” By nighttime , the Capitol seemed frozen by a collective meltdown , putting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ business and creating a time crunch that affected all pending legislation .
“ This wasn ’ t a victory of police unions .
Police unions won the lottery , ” said Peter Bibring , an ACLU attorney who helped write the police de-certification bill .
“ This was a failure of leadership , a failure of courage , a failure to meet the moment and a failure to respond to the demands of constituents.
” Abdullah agrees — pointing out that Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon could have called the decertification bill for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We wanted at least the opportunity to get people to vote for it or at least go on the record of opposing it , ” said Abdullah .
A statement from Rendon late Tuesday said Bradford ’ s bill “ did not have enough votes in the Assembly to pass this session , but I do not take that as a defeat of this effort at justice .
I am personally in support of SB 731.
” Though Bradford was unsure if he had the 41 necessary votes for its passage , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make a final decision until they see how their colleagues are voting , and he would have welcomed their being given a chance .
He believed there were 14 wobblers who may have ultimately helped him pass the measure .
Some said blaming it on the discord of the night was not the full picture .
Assemblyman Chris Holden ( D-Pasadena ) pointed out his measure fell victim to police lobbying weeks earlier .
That bill , which would have clarified how and when officers had a duty to intervene when a colleague @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of law enforcement and died weeks ago in committee .
Holden said there was a “ hard push ” by unions to make sure it didn ’ t advance .
He said he received no clear feedback on why the bill didn ’ t move forward , just notice that it wouldn ’ t .
He said in recent weeks , he has seen grow at the Capitol “ an atmosphere and environment that meets [ a law enforcement ] narrative , and it is basically , ‘ Not now.
’ So , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not now.
” Skinner said she has seen some movement on the part of police labor groups , but thinks the broader “ universe ” of law enforcement interests at the Capitol , combining unions , district attorneys associations and sheriffs , when united , are a formidable power .
“ When they are united in opposing something , their influence is huge , ” she said .
Law enforcement , including police unions in Los Angeles and San Francisco , have voiced support for legislation to decertify officers , and after Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they would work cooperatively next session on a bill to make that happen .
But they added that lawmakers were right not to enact flawed legislation .
“ With over two dozen public safety bills introduced in this shortened legislative session due to COVID-19 , we look forward to working with our elected leaders to ensure these issues are well researched and properly vetted as we head into the 2021 session , ” said Brian Marvel , President of the Peace Officers Research Assn .
of California .
The group , he added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our legislators to develop and champion new policies that will raise recruitment standards , improve transparency and place officers in a better position to serve our communities.
” Police unions suffered a setback last year when lawmakers passed a bill to redefine when officers can use deadly force .
Now , say reform advocates , it is clear their power is back in full effect .
“ They are never going to give up easy , ” said Skinner .
“ We ’ ll come back next year .
”

People with “I Can’t Breathe” signs and masks attend a protest over the death of George Floyd in Chicago, May 30, 2020.
By the time the sun set at the Capitol on Monday evening, hours from a legal deadline to pass bills for the year, state Sen. Steven Bradford knew his proposal to strip badges from troubled officers was in trouble.
For weeks prior, police reform bills were points of contention — even among Democratic legislators publicly sympathetic to the cause but privately circumspect, often under the pressure of intense lobbying by law enforcement interests.
But then, in the last hours, chaos broke out at the Capitol, with technological troubles, overt anger between lawmakers and partisan wrangling bringing the Senate to a halt and slowing business throughout the building. Bradford (D-Gardena) was unable to even have the bill called for a floor vote in the state Assembly, he said.
Advertisement
Bradford contends more than one colleague used the tumult of the night to slow his bill and keep it from getting a vote — thereby saving those on the fence from having to go on the record opposing police reform at a time when the majority of Californians are in support of it.
“What we went through was clearly a stall tactic,” said Bradford on Tuesday. “A lot of them just chose to use the clock as their excuse and the later it got the more cover they had.”
Bradford’s bill had company. Legislative proposals to give citizens access to more police personnel records and curtail the use of tear gas and rubber bullets at protests were among those that perished late Monday without a vote. Their demise marks the end of a legislative session that began with more than a dozen proposals for more law enforcement accountability and oversight and ended with a handful of modest wins.
Overall, it was a demonstration that law enforcement unions still hold serious sway at the Capitol, especially when given an assist by late-session disarray. Some reform advocates were surprised.
“Many of us didn’t really foresee as much opposition as we wound up getting,” said Melina Abdullah, founder of Black Lives Matter Los Angeles, which co-sponsored Bradford’s bill. “I think it’s outrageous and tragic.”
After George Floyd was killed in Minnesota in May, protests shook California and the country, spurring the police reform proposals. Bradford’s bill, SB 731, quickly became the top target for police unions, nearly all unhappy with its plan for a strong citizen’s oversight commission that included family of victims of police violence.
Advertisement
Law enforcement interests also set their sights on a measure, SB 776, by state Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), to open more police personnel records to the public.
But with lawmakers facing a massive budget deficit, wildfires, eviction cliffs, unemployment and the pandemic, police reform competed for attention in the subsequent weeks. Not even protests around the shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin in recent days brought the early momentum back.
On the night lawmakers ended their session, L.A. Sheriff’s deputies shot and killed a Black man in South Los Angeles, but by then, everything was happening too fast.
“All the sudden so many other things were distracting the public and distracting the members,” said Skinner. “Did [law enforcement] take advantage of it? To a degree, but yet they didn’t have to take advantage. It just happened.”
To cut through that, lobbyists both for and against police reform had waged a fierce fight in the final week to recapture legislators’ support.
Kim Kardashian West and singer Aloe Blacc took to Twitter to call out specific legislators, demanding they support Bradford’s bill.
Feel free to call @Evan_Low and urge him to vote yes on #SB731 to ensure we have a moderate safe police reform and ensure police officers are held accountable when they break the law. (408) 446-2810 https://t.co/URLggsNUrO — Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) August 31, 2020
Police unions quietly countered with discreet conversations with friendly legislators about the hurried nature of those bills — both of which were introduced only weeks earlier — pushing to delay them until next year.
Then, on Monday night, with Republican legislators unhappy at being forced to vote remotely after being banned from the building because of a potential GOP coronavirus outbreak, the situation became even more turbulent. A fight broke out in the Senate between leadership trying to move bills along by limiting debate and Republicans forced to zoom in their votes amid endless mute-unmute fiascos.
Tempers flared. Obscenities were deployed.
Republican Sen. Melissa Melendez (R-Lake Elsinore) used an expletive on Twitter to accuse the Democrats of limiting to two the number of speakers on each bill. “This silences the voices of millions of people so Democrats have enough time to pass their crappy bills before midnight. This is outrageous,” she wrote.
Skinner shot back with tweets of her own, writing that “Democracy is a team sport. The Legislature is a team sport. One of the teams is acting out and undermining the People’s Business. It’s bad sportsmanship, and it’s wrong.”
By nighttime, the Capitol seemed frozen by a collective meltdown, putting the brakes on the people’s business and creating a time crunch that affected all pending legislation.
“This wasn’t a victory of police unions. Police unions won the lottery,” said Peter Bibring, an ACLU attorney who helped write the police de-certification bill. “This was a failure of leadership, a failure of courage, a failure to meet the moment and a failure to respond to the demands of constituents.”
Abdullah agrees — pointing out that Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon could have called the decertification bill for a vote earlier in the night.
“We wanted at least the opportunity to get people to vote for it or at least go on the record of opposing it,” said Abdullah.
A statement from Rendon late Tuesday said Bradford’s bill “did not have enough votes in the Assembly to pass this session, but I do not take that as a defeat of this effort at justice. I am personally in support of SB 731.”
Though Bradford was unsure if he had the 41 necessary votes for its passage, he said that often legislators won’t make a final decision until they see how their colleagues are voting, and he would have welcomed their being given a chance. He believed there were 14 wobblers who may have ultimately helped him pass the measure.
Some said blaming it on the discord of the night was not the full picture.
Assemblyman Chris Holden (D-Pasadena) pointed out his measure fell victim to police lobbying weeks earlier. That bill, which would have clarified how and when officers had a duty to intervene when a colleague used excessive force, was another target of law enforcement and died weeks ago in committee.
Holden said there was a “hard push” by unions to make sure it didn’t advance. He said he received no clear feedback on why the bill didn’t move forward, just notice that it wouldn’t.
He said in recent weeks, he has seen grow at the Capitol “an atmosphere and environment that meets [a law enforcement] narrative, and it is basically, ‘Not now.’ So, OK, they won that round, not now.”
Skinner said she has seen some movement on the part of police labor groups, but thinks the broader “universe” of law enforcement interests at the Capitol, combining unions, district attorneys associations and sheriffs, when united, are a formidable power.
“When they are united in opposing something, their influence is huge,” she said.
Law enforcement, including police unions in Los Angeles and San Francisco, have voiced support for legislation to decertify officers, and after Monday’s win, they quickly stressed they would work cooperatively next session on a bill to make that happen. But they added that lawmakers were right not to enact flawed legislation.
“With over two dozen public safety bills introduced in this shortened legislative session due to COVID-19, we look forward to working with our elected leaders to ensure these issues are well researched and properly vetted as we head into the 2021 session,” said Brian Marvel, President of the Peace Officers Research Assn. of California.
The group, he added, “remains committed to working with our legislators to develop and champion new policies that will raise recruitment standards, improve transparency and place officers in a better position to serve our communities.”
Police unions suffered a setback last year when lawmakers passed a bill to redefine when officers can use deadly force. Now, say reform advocates, it is clear their power is back in full effect.
“They are never going to give up easy,” said Skinner. “We’ll come back next year.”
Staff writer Melody Gutierrez contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-09-02--'I'm sad, and I'm mad': Killing of Black cyclist by L.A. deputies sparks outrage, grief

Anthony Johnson spent Tuesday morning cleaning blood from the sidewalk where his nephew was shot and killed by two Los Angeles County sheriff ’ s deputies the day before .
It was a familiar scene for some in the Westmont neighborhood — Dijon Kizzee was the second man in three months to be killed by deputies within a block .
“ Right now , I ’ m sad , and I ’ m mad at the same time , ” Kizzee ’ s aunt Fletcher Fair said .
“ Why us ?
... We are tired .
We are absolutely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led to the shooting of Kizzee , 29 , who relatives said was visiting the South L.A. neighborhood from his home in Lancaster .
His death , ending a summer of protests over racism and police violence that have swept the nation , elicited fresh waves of outrage , as well as renewed calls for law enforcement transparency and the demand that those involved be arrested and prosecuted .
The circumstances of the incident , which officials say began when the deputies were trying to stop Kizzee as he was riding a bicycle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deadly force was warranted .
The Sheriff ’ s Department also came under fresh criticism from activists for failing to outfit deputies with body cameras ; the devices are scheduled to start rolling out at five stations in October .
The encounter Monday afternoon began when two deputies from the South Los Angeles station spotted a man , later identified by the coroner as Kizzee , riding a bicycle in violation of vehicle codes , said Lt. Brandon Dean .
He said he didn ’ t know which codes were allegedly violated .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ he dropped the bicycle and ran north on Budlong Avenue for a block , with deputies in pursuit , Dean said .
Deputies again tried to make contact in the 1200 block of West 109th Place , and Dean said Kizzee punched one of them in the face .
Kizzee then dropped a jacket he had been carrying , and a black handgun fell to the ground , officials said .
The Sheriff ’ s Department said Tuesday evening that Kizzee “ made a motion toward ” the gun , and the deputies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grainy video of the incident obtained by The Times shows a physical altercation between Kizzee and the deputies before Kizzee tries to get away and falls to the ground .
A wall and fencing obscures the full scene , including where Kizzee ’ s jacket falls , before the deputies open fire .
Dean said he did not know how many times Kizzee was shot .
Sheriff ’ s officials said a handgun was recovered at the scene .
Ed Obayashi , a Plumas County deputy sheriff and national expert on the use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s Department will likely face questions about why deputies chased after the man over such a minor offense .
While deputies have discretion in those circumstances , they “ have to weigh the risk benefit of pursuing someone for a violation as minor as this , ” he said .
He said it ’ s unclear what prompted the deputies to open fire .
“ He drops this bundle of clothes , they see a gun — and we don ’ t know what happened after that except for the shooting , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really short on facts here ...
There ’ s , right now , obviously a lot of questions about this.
” Many in the community said the narrative is troubling .
“ The deputies essentially executed a man riding his bicycle , ” Najee Ali , a community activist , said Tuesday while standing with several of Kizzee ’ s relatives at the scene of the shooting .
Balloons were tied to memorial candles on the sidewalk , marking the spot where Kizzee died .
“ They ’ ll say he had a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t say was that he was not armed with the gun .
He did not point the gun , ” Ali said .
“ There was no reason for deputies to shoot a running man.
” Sheriff Alex Villanueva on Tuesday expressed his condolences to Kizzee ’ s family , which he said includes a cousin who is a member of the Sheriff ’ s Department .
But he criticized activists , who later that night marched from the site of the shooting to the sheriff ’ s station , for not protesting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Andres Guardado , 18 , in June in Gardena .
One “ was beaten to death in the restroom of a supermarket in Lancaster about a month ago , ” Villanueva said .
“ That name is already forgotten by people .
The people on the streets are not saying his name.
” Fifteen apparent gunshots can be heard in a recording of the Kizzee incident from a neighbor ’ s home security camera .
Several witnesses said they heard at least a dozen gunshots and saw deputies continue to shoot Kizzee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Alida Trejo , 52 , said she heard between eight and 11 shots .
She was sitting by her sewing machine when she looked out the window and saw a man being chased by a sheriff ’ s deputy .
Curious , she walked outside to see what was happening and saw the deputy struggling to arrest the man .
Neighbors were yelling at the man not to resist and telling the deputy not to shoot .
“ They say the man punched the deputy , but I never saw that happen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daughter , Liz , was in her room taking a college prep course when she heard gunshots and her mother ’ s screams .
She ran outside and saw her mom yelling and crying hysterically , “ They killed him .
They killed him.
” Latiera Irby , 29 , had stopped by her mother ’ s house Monday to get her hair done when Kizzee came up to her car — on the street where he was shot — as he was running from deputies .
“ He said , ‘ They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they ’ re coming to get me , ’ ” she said .
Kizzee offered her money to drive him away .
“ I didn ’ t know who he was running from , so I told him no.
” Shortly after , she saw him get into a scuffle with a sheriff ’ s deputy .
At one point , she said , the deputy backed away , then shot Kizzee .
She said that deputy and another fired at Kizzee after he had fallen to the ground .
“ He had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Irby said she did not sleep Monday night , unable to get the shooting out of her head .
“ All I could see is that man on the ground and [ them ] still shooting him , ” she said .
Timothy Ingram said authorities handcuffed Kizzee minutes after he was shot .
He said officials refused to cover the body , despite neighbors pleading with them to do so .
Authorities , he said , didn ’ t take Kizzee ’ s body away until about midnight or 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was shot .
“ I stayed here until they moved the body , ” said Ingram , 52 .
“ I was not going to leave .
...
I felt it was my civic duty to watch over that man.
” In that same neighborhood , a young Latino man , Robert Avitia , was shot and killed by deputies just three months ago — a day after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
The Sheriff ’ s Department said Avitia , 18 , was wanted on suspicion of murder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Residents were reeling from the violence .
“ I think we ’ re gon na need some damn counseling , ” said Bobbie Lee , 51 , referring to the neighbors , including her daughter , who had seen Kizzee ’ s body .
Tuesday morning , Johnson , Kizzee ’ s uncle , pointed to plastic gloves lying on the pavement , which he said had been left there by law enforcement .
“ They shot him .
They killed him .
The least they could have done was clean up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kizzee ’ s aunt said he had come to the area to visit friends .
Kizzee , an unemployed plumber , did not have children and is survived by his younger brother , who just graduated from high school , his family said .
Johnson described Kizzee as someone who was “ the life of the party ” and said he last saw his nephew about a week ago in Palmdale .
“ We kind of had a head bump , and I said , ‘ I love you , ’ and he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ’ and I told him to stay safe , ” he said .

Leila Miller, Ruben Vives, Matthew Ormseth, Alene Tchekmedyian

Community activist Reggie Cole visits the site where Dijon Kizzee, 29, was shot and killed Monday by two L.A. County sheriff’s deputies.
Anthony Johnson spent Tuesday morning cleaning blood from the sidewalk where his nephew was shot and killed by two Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies the day before.
It was a familiar scene for some in the Westmont neighborhood — Dijon Kizzee was the second man in three months to be killed by deputies within a block.
“Right now, I’m sad, and I’m mad at the same time,” Kizzee’s aunt Fletcher Fair said. “Why us? ... We are tired. We are absolutely tired.”
Many questions remain about what led to the shooting of Kizzee, 29, who relatives said was visiting the South L.A. neighborhood from his home in Lancaster.
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Fletcher Fair, left, visits the site near the intersection of West 109th Place and South Budlong Avenue where her nephew Dijon Kizzee, 29, was killed by L.A. County Sheriff’s deputies. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
His death, ending a summer of protests over racism and police violence that have swept the nation, elicited fresh waves of outrage, as well as renewed calls for law enforcement transparency and the demand that those involved be arrested and prosecuted.
The circumstances of the incident, which officials say began when the deputies were trying to stop Kizzee as he was riding a bicycle, have led to questions about whether deadly force was warranted. The Sheriff’s Department also came under fresh criticism from activists for failing to outfit deputies with body cameras; the devices are scheduled to start rolling out at five stations in October.
The encounter Monday afternoon began when two deputies from the South Los Angeles station spotted a man, later identified by the coroner as Kizzee, riding a bicycle in violation of vehicle codes, said Lt. Brandon Dean. He said he didn’t know which codes were allegedly violated.
Deputies attempted to contact Kizzee, but he dropped the bicycle and ran north on Budlong Avenue for a block, with deputies in pursuit, Dean said. Deputies again tried to make contact in the 1200 block of West 109th Place, and Dean said Kizzee punched one of them in the face.
Kizzee then dropped a jacket he had been carrying, and a black handgun fell to the ground, officials said. The Sheriff’s Department said Tuesday evening that Kizzee “made a motion toward” the gun, and the deputies opened fire, killing him.
A grainy video of the incident obtained by The Times shows a physical altercation between Kizzee and the deputies before Kizzee tries to get away and falls to the ground. A wall and fencing obscures the full scene, including where Kizzee’s jacket falls, before the deputies open fire.
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Dean said he did not know how many times Kizzee was shot. Sheriff’s officials said a handgun was recovered at the scene.
The incident marked the second killing in the neighborhood by deputies in three months. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Ed Obayashi, a Plumas County deputy sheriff and national expert on the use of force, said the Sheriff’s Department will likely face questions about why deputies chased after the man over such a minor offense. While deputies have discretion in those circumstances, they “have to weigh the risk benefit of pursuing someone for a violation as minor as this,” he said.
He said it’s unclear what prompted the deputies to open fire.
“He drops this bundle of clothes, they see a gun — and we don’t know what happened after that except for the shooting,” he said. “We’re really short on facts here ... There’s, right now, obviously a lot of questions about this.”
Many in the community said the narrative is troubling.
“The deputies essentially executed a man riding his bicycle,” Najee Ali, a community activist, said Tuesday while standing with several of Kizzee’s relatives at the scene of the shooting. Balloons were tied to memorial candles on the sidewalk, marking the spot where Kizzee died.
“They’ll say he had a gun, but what they won’t say was that he was not armed with the gun. He did not point the gun,” Ali said. “There was no reason for deputies to shoot a running man.”
Sheriff Alex Villanueva on Tuesday expressed his condolences to Kizzee’s family, which he said includes a cousin who is a member of the Sheriff’s Department. But he criticized activists, who later that night marched from the site of the shooting to the sheriff’s station, for not protesting other homicides since the controversial deputy killing of Andres Guardado, 18, in June in Gardena.
One “was beaten to death in the restroom of a supermarket in Lancaster about a month ago,” Villanueva said. “That name is already forgotten by people. The people on the streets are not saying his name.”
Fifteen apparent gunshots can be heard in a recording of the Kizzee incident from a neighbor’s home security camera. Several witnesses said they heard at least a dozen gunshots and saw deputies continue to shoot Kizzee once he had fallen to the ground.
Alida Trejo, 52, said she heard between eight and 11 shots. She was sitting by her sewing machine when she looked out the window and saw a man being chased by a sheriff’s deputy.
Curious, she walked outside to see what was happening and saw the deputy struggling to arrest the man. Neighbors were yelling at the man not to resist and telling the deputy not to shoot.
Residents face off with sheriff’s deputies hours after the killing. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
“They say the man punched the deputy, but I never saw that happen,” Trejo said.
Then, gunfire erupted.
Her 16-year-old daughter, Liz, was in her room taking a college prep course when she heard gunshots and her mother’s screams.
She ran outside and saw her mom yelling and crying hysterically, “They killed him. They killed him.”
Latiera Irby, 29, had stopped by her mother’s house Monday to get her hair done when Kizzee came up to her car — on the street where he was shot — as he was running from deputies.
“He said, ‘They’re coming to get me; they’re coming to get me,’” she said. Kizzee offered her money to drive him away. “I didn’t know who he was running from, so I told him no.”
Shortly after, she saw him get into a scuffle with a sheriff’s deputy. At one point, she said, the deputy backed away, then shot Kizzee. She said that deputy and another fired at Kizzee after he had fallen to the ground.
“He had nothing in his hands,” she said.
Irby said she did not sleep Monday night, unable to get the shooting out of her head.
“All I could see is that man on the ground and [them] still shooting him,” she said.
Timothy Ingram said authorities handcuffed Kizzee minutes after he was shot. He said officials refused to cover the body, despite neighbors pleading with them to do so.
Authorities, he said, didn’t take Kizzee’s body away until about midnight or 1 a.m. — more than nine hours after he was shot.
A relative of Dijon Kizzee, hours after his killing, is distraught. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
“I stayed here until they moved the body,” said Ingram, 52. “I was not going to leave. ... I felt it was my civic duty to watch over that man.”
In that same neighborhood, a young Latino man, Robert Avitia, was shot and killed by deputies just three months ago — a day after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. The Sheriff’s Department said Avitia, 18, was wanted on suspicion of murder and had pointed a handgun at officers.
Residents were reeling from the violence.
“I think we’re gonna need some damn counseling,” said Bobbie Lee, 51, referring to the neighbors, including her daughter, who had seen Kizzee’s body.
Tuesday morning, Johnson, Kizzee’s uncle, pointed to plastic gloves lying on the pavement, which he said had been left there by law enforcement.
“They shot him. They killed him. The least they could have done was clean up after themselves,” he said.
Kizzee’s aunt said he had come to the area to visit friends. Kizzee, an unemployed plumber, did not have children and is survived by his younger brother, who just graduated from high school, his family said. Johnson described Kizzee as someone who was “the life of the party” and said he last saw his nephew about a week ago in Palmdale.
“We kind of had a head bump, and I said, ‘I love you,’ and he said, ‘I love you back,’ and I told him to stay safe,” he said.
Times staff writer Luke Money contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-09-02--A jet pack at LAX? Maybe. Jet packs are very real

It sounds like something out of a movie : An American Airlines pilot calls the control tower at Los Angeles International Airport to warn that his plane just flew past someone in midair — a person wearing a jet pack .
But the pilot really did give that warning Sunday night , and it wasn ’ t laughed off .
The FBI is investigating .
After all , jet packs are not confined to the realm of science fiction .
There are a handful of companies around the world that make devices that power a single person up into the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yves Rossy has created a type of winged jet pack , which typically requires him to be hoisted into the sky by a helicopter or balloon ; he can take off from there .
Another company , Zapata , has made something like a flying skateboard , which gives off a Marty McFly vibe .
JetPack Aviation Corp. , based in Van Nuys , says it ’ s the only one to have developed a jet pack that can be worn like a backpack .
The technology is real : Chief Executive David @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flying around the Statue of Liberty , and his company has created five of them .
So it ’ s not out of the question that someone could have been soaring above the airport last weekend , giving pilots a scare .
Mayman was quick to say that if a jet pack was involved , it wasn ’ t one of his .
JetPack Aviation keeps its five packs locked down , he said , and they ’ re not for sale .
The company does offer flying lessons at $ 4,950 a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attached to a wire and can ’ t stray too far .
None of the company ’ s competitors sell their products to consumers either , Mayman said .
The weekend incident “ got us all wondering whether there ’ s been someone working in skunkworks on this , ” he said , using a term for a secret project .
Or maybe , he mused , the airline pilot saw some kind of electric-powered drone with a mannequin attached .
The fact remains : It ’ s very difficult to get access @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accomplish that , though , it ’ s not hard to get permission to fly it .
The Federal Aviation Administration doesn ’ t issue licenses specifically for operating the devices .
A jet pack could be operated as an ultralight vehicle — meaning it would not be registered with the FAA and its operator wouldn ’ t need a pilot license — if it meets weight , fuel capacity and speed requirements .
But it still wouldn ’ t be allowed to surprise officials by freewheeling over California ’ s biggest airport @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ultralight vehicles can fly only during the day and are barred from flying over densely populated areas or in controlled airspace .
Jet packs that don ’ t meet the ultralight requirements could be issued a special experimental certificate , which would require a class of pilot certificate specific to the aircraft and have its own set of flight restrictions , the FAA said .
“ If you want to do something that ’ s a thrill-seeking thing , then yes , you can fly one , ” said Mike Hirschberg , executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a nonprofit professional organization .
To be clear , they ’ re not well suited to becoming a common form of transportation anytime soon .
For one , they ’ re too loud and don ’ t have enough endurance , Hirschberg said .
For another , they ’ re too expensive .
If JetPack Aviation were willing to sell its jet packs to individuals , it would charge at least $ 300,000 each , Mayman said .
Besides , selling to the general public would create liability concerns .
“ It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of these aircraft , ” Mayman said .
He doesn ’ t want to be on the hook if , say , a flier were to plow into a car or building .
Mayman said that he isn ’ t interested in selling his products to anyone but governments or government agencies , and that his company ’ s focus is on search-and-rescue applications .
Four years ago , JetPack Aviation had a jet pack research and development contract with the U.S. military , but it did not end up selling any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different U.S. military research and development contract , the company is working on its Speeder aircraft , which it describes as a flying motorcycle that can be piloted by a human or flown as a drone .
Inventors have long dreamed of creating jet packs that would rocket individuals through the air .
In the 1950s , a Bell Aerosystems engineer named Wendell Moore developed a rocket belt that could strap onto a person ’ s back and fly them a short distance .
Though the U.S. military seriously considered the device in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rocket belt ’ s range of just a few seconds was deemed too short , according to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum .
In 2018 , an engineering competition sponsored by Boeing Co. and other groups asked inventors to build a quiet , personal flying device that could carry a person for 20 miles .
But instead of quiet jet packs , contest submissions were more like air motorcycles .
If quiet is the priority , there are ways to fly that don ’ t even involve motors , propellers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North Hollywood truck driver named Larry Walters tied 42 helium-filled weather balloons to a lawn chair and floated up 16,000 feet in the air .
He surprised at least two airline pilots , one of whom radioed the FAA .
( Walters was fined $ 1,500 . )
To return to earth , Walters used a pellet gun to pop the balloons .

David Mayman, CEO of JetPack Aviation, suited up in his company’s JB11 jet pack in 2018.
It sounds like something out of a movie: An American Airlines pilot calls the control tower at Los Angeles International Airport to warn that his plane just flew past someone in midair — a person wearing a jet pack.
But the pilot really did give that warning Sunday evening, and it wasn’t laughed off. The FBI is investigating.
After all, jet packs are not confined to the realm of science fiction. There are a handful of companies around the world that make devices that power a single person up into the air.
Former Swiss Air Force pilot Yves Rossy has created a type of winged jet pack, which typically requires him to be hoisted into the sky by a helicopter or balloon; he can take off from there. Another company, Zapata, has made something like a flying skateboard, which gives off a Marty McFly vibe.
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JetPack Aviation Corp., based in Van Nuys, says it’s the only one to have developed a jet pack that can be worn like a backpack. The technology is real: Chief Executive David Mayman demonstrated it five years ago by flying around the Statue of Liberty, and his company has created five of them.
So it’s not out of the question that someone could have been soaring above the airport last weekend, giving pilots a scare.
Mayman was quick to say that if a jet pack was involved, it wasn’t one of his. JetPack Aviation keeps its five packs locked down, he said, and they’re not for sale. The company does offer flying lessons at $4,950 a pop, but he said students are attached to a wire and can’t stray too far.
None of the company’s competitors sell their products to consumers either, Mayman said.
The weekend incident “got us all wondering whether there’s been someone working in skunkworks on this,” he said, using a term for a secret project. Or maybe, he mused, the airline pilot saw some kind of electric-powered drone with a mannequin attached.
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The fact remains: It’s very difficult to get access to a jet pack. If you accomplish that, though, it’s not hard to get permission to fly it.
The Federal Aviation Administration doesn’t issue licenses specifically for operating the devices. A jet pack could be operated as an ultralight vehicle — meaning it would not be registered with the FAA and its operator wouldn’t need a pilot license — if it meets weight, fuel capacity and speed requirements.
But it still wouldn’t be allowed to surprise officials by freewheeling over California’s biggest airport. Without FAA approval, ultralight vehicles can fly only during the day and are barred from flying over densely populated areas or in controlled airspace.
Jet packs that don’t meet the ultralight requirements could be issued a special experimental certificate, which would require a class of pilot certificate specific to the aircraft and have its own set of flight restrictions, the FAA said.
“If you want to do something that’s a thrill-seeking thing, then yes, you can fly one,” said Mike Hirschberg, executive director of the Vertical Flight Society, a nonprofit professional organization.
To be clear, they’re not well suited to becoming a common form of transportation anytime soon.
For one, they’re too loud and don’t have enough endurance, Hirschberg said.
For another, they’re too expensive. If JetPack Aviation were willing to sell its jet packs to individuals, it would charge at least $300,000 each, Mayman said.
Besides, selling to the general public would create liability concerns.
“It’s so easy for someone to misuse one of these aircraft,” Mayman said. He doesn’t want to be on the hook if, say, a flier were to plow into a car or building.
Mayman said that he isn’t interested in selling his products to anyone but governments or government agencies, and that his company’s focus is on search-and-rescue applications.
Four years ago, JetPack Aviation had a jet pack research and development contract with the U.S. military, but it did not end up selling any of the devices. Now under a different U.S. military research and development contract, the company is working on its Speeder aircraft, which it describes as a flying motorcycle that can be piloted by a human or flown as a drone.
Inventors have long dreamed of creating jet packs that would rocket individuals through the air.
In the 1950s, a Bell Aerosystems engineer named Wendell Moore developed a rocket belt that could strap onto a person’s back and fly them a short distance. Though the U.S. military seriously considered the device in the 1960s for use by soldiers, the rocket belt’s range of just a few seconds was deemed too short, according to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.
In 2018, an engineering competition sponsored by Boeing Co. and other groups asked inventors to build a quiet, personal flying device that could carry a person for 20 miles. But instead of quiet jet packs, contest submissions were more like air motorcycles.
If quiet is the priority, there are ways to fly that don’t even involve motors, propellers or combustion.
In 1982, a North Hollywood truck driver named Larry Walters tied 42 helium-filled weather balloons to a lawn chair and floated up 16,000 feet in the air. He surprised at least two airline pilots, one of whom radioed the FAA. (Walters was fined $1,500.) To return to earth, Walters used a pellet gun to pop the balloons.


latimes--2020-09-02--Former Bell city councilman arrested on suspicion of killing his wife

A former Bell city councilman was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of killing his wife , authorities said .
Danny Harber , 76 , elected in 2011 after scandal and indictments obliterated Bell ’ s previous City Council , was taken to a hospital Tuesday to be medically cleared before being booked on suspicion of murder , the Los Angeles County Sheriff ’ s Department said in a statement .
He is being held on $ 200,000 bail .
Responding to a report of a gunshot victim , Bell police officers arrived about 6:30 a.m. Tuesday at a home in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Harber ’ s 81-year-old wife , Donna , fatally shot in the upper torso , according to the Sheriff ’ s Department .
The officers detained Danny Harber when they arrived and turned him over to sheriff ’ s detectives for questioning .
Harber was among a new crop of Bell City Council members swept into office in 2011 , after The Times revealed that leaders of the small , perennially cash-strapped city had lavished its meager funds on enormous salaries and other plum benefits for themselves .
The city manager , Robert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and benefits package that exceeded $ 1.5 million ; other officials , such as the police chief and Rizzo ’ s assistant , collected similarly staggering paychecks .
Members of Bell ’ s City Council had essentially exercised no oversight over Rizzo and other administrators , and they had themselves banked six-figure salaries to sit on commissions that rarely met and to conduct meetings that lasted minutes .
Five council members pleaded guilty to misappropriating public funds .
Harber , a retired baker , was elected in 2011 to replace the seat vacated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrested and recalled .
Jacobo was later sentenced to two years in prison .
“ I think we just need a fresh start , ” Harber told The Times shortly before being sworn in .
He was tapped to be the city ’ s vice mayor and served on the council until 2013 .

Danny Harber, seen here being sworn in as a City Council member in Bell, was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of killing his wife.
A former Bell city councilman was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of killing his wife, authorities said.
Danny Harber, 76, elected in 2011 after scandal and indictments obliterated Bell’s previous City Council, was taken to a hospital Tuesday to be medically cleared before being booked on suspicion of murder, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement.
He is being held on $200,000 bail.
Responding to a report of a gunshot victim, Bell police officers arrived about 6:30 a.m. Tuesday at a home in the 4900 block of Weik Avenue and found Harber’s 81-year-old wife, Donna, fatally shot in the upper torso, according to the Sheriff’s Department.
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The officers detained Danny Harber when they arrived and turned him over to sheriff’s detectives for questioning.
Harber was among a new crop of Bell City Council members swept into office in 2011, after The Times revealed that leaders of the small, perennially cash-strapped city had lavished its meager funds on enormous salaries and other plum benefits for themselves.
The city manager, Robert Rizzo, had enjoyed an annual salary and benefits package that exceeded $1.5 million; other officials, such as the police chief and Rizzo’s assistant, collected similarly staggering paychecks.
Members of Bell’s City Council had essentially exercised no oversight over Rizzo and other administrators, and they had themselves banked six-figure salaries to sit on commissions that rarely met and to conduct meetings that lasted minutes. Five council members pleaded guilty to misappropriating public funds.
Harber, a retired baker, was elected in 2011 to replace the seat vacated by Teresa Jacobo, who had been arrested and recalled. Jacobo was later sentenced to two years in prison.
“I think we just need a fresh start,” Harber told The Times shortly before being sworn in. He was tapped to be the city’s vice mayor and served on the council until 2013.


latimes--2020-09-01--Family of Andres Guardado sues Sheriff's Department, deputies involved in fatal shooting

The family of Andres Guardado , an 18-year-old fatally shot by Los Angeles County sheriff ’ s deputies in June , has sued the Sheriff ’ s Department , the deputy who opened fire and his partner , alleging an unreasonable use of lethal force and a lack of oversight from the department that caused “ needless loss of life.
” Amid a summer roiled by controversial uses of lethal force , Guardado ’ s death near an auto body shop in Gardena has been particularly contentious .
The Los Angeles County medical examiner-coroner released an autopsy report over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teenager had been shot five times in the back .
Sheriff ’ s Department leadership have said Guardado displayed a handgun when two deputies spotted him outside the auto body shop , where Guardado ’ s family said he worked as a security guard .
The deputies chased Guardado down a driveway .
He had surrendered , placed the handgun on the ground and was lying face down when one of the deputies , Miguel Vega , approached to cinch handcuffs around the teenager ’ s wrists , Vega ’ s attorney previously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deputy ’ s account , Guardado reached for the gun , prompting Vega to unholster his service weapon and fire six shots , five of which hit Guardado .
In their lawsuit filed Tuesday in Los Angeles County Superior Court , Guardado ’ s parents , Elisa and Cristobal Guardado , sued the Sheriff ’ s Department , the county and the two deputies involved in the shooting : Vega and Christopher Hernandez .
The family ’ s attorneys leveled a raft of allegations against the defendants , charging that the two deputies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ unloaded ” into Guardado ’ s back “ without provocation or justification.
” The complaint sought to link the deputies to a reputed gang said to operate out of the Compton station where Vega and Hernandez were based .
In a recent deposition , a deputy at the Compton station , Austreberto Gonzalez , said Vega and Hernandez were prospective members of the gang , dubbed the Executioners — a claim the deputies ’ lawyers deny .
Citing the deputies ’ “ possible affiliations ” with the Executioners and another reputed deputy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guardado family ’ s lawyers accused the Sheriff ’ s Department of negligence , saying Sheriff Alex Villanueva has failed to weed out these deputy gangs , which the lawsuit describes as a “ conspiracy to commit battery against the public.
” The Sheriff ’ s Department did not respond to a request for comment .
Vega ’ s attorney , Adam Marangell , said the lawsuit was brimming with “ reckless and erroneous ” claims and “ appears to be a calculated effort to inflame and distort public perception against the Sheriff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ specifically.
” Vega , Marangell said , “ did everything possible to avoid firing his weapon , including issuing clear and repeated commands to ‘ not reach for the gun.
’ ” He said the deputy was looking forward to the “ actual facts ” becoming public .
Hernandez ’ s attorney , Tom Yu , said the deputy ’ s conduct was “ reasonable under the circumstances.
” He noted that he represents Hernandez only in criminal and administrative matters and said the county would appoint him a lawyer to defend him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation into Guardado ’ s death continues .
California Atty .
Gen. Xavier Becerra rebuffed a request from Villanueva to monitor his department ’ s inquiry , telling the sheriff in a letter that the attorney general ’ s office intervenes in investigations of police shootings only in “ exceptional circumstances , ” such as a conflict of interest or abuse of discretion .
Sheriff ’ s investigators offered a limited update on the inquiry last month , describing the auto body shop near where Guardado was killed as a hot spot for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s death had been called two weeks earlier to the same location , where they found a man with gunshot wounds , Cmdr .
Chris Marks said .
Investigators served a search warrant and found bottles of nitrous oxide gas , methamphetamine and a shotgun , sheriff ’ s officials said , although they conceded they found no evidence linking Guardado to the seized items .

Jennifer Guardado, left, the sister of Andres Guardado, who was fatally shot by a sheriff’s deputy in Gardena, rides in a caravan during the rally seeking justice for Guardado in Gardena.
The family of Andres Guardado, an 18-year-old fatally shot by Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies in June, has sued the Sheriff’s Department, the deputy who opened fire and his partner, alleging an unreasonable use of lethal force and a lack of oversight from the department that caused “needless loss of life.”
Amid a summer roiled by controversial uses of lethal force, Guardado’s death near an auto body shop in Gardena has been particularly contentious.
The Los Angeles County medical examiner-coroner released an autopsy report over the sheriff’s objections, showing the teenager had been shot five times in the back. Sheriff’s Department leadership have said Guardado displayed a handgun when two deputies spotted him outside the auto body shop, where Guardado’s family said he worked as a security guard.
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The deputies chased Guardado down a driveway. He had surrendered, placed the handgun on the ground and was lying face down when one of the deputies, Miguel Vega, approached to cinch handcuffs around the teenager’s wrists, Vega’s attorney previously told The Times. According to the deputy’s account, Guardado reached for the gun, prompting Vega to unholster his service weapon and fire six shots, five of which hit Guardado.
Sheriff’s homicide detectives are still investigating Guardado’s death.
Andres Guardado
( Guardado family
)
In their lawsuit filed Tuesday in Los Angeles County Superior Court, Guardado’s parents, Elisa and Cristobal Guardado, sued the Sheriff’s Department, the county and the two deputies involved in the shooting: Vega and Christopher Hernandez. The family’s attorneys leveled a raft of allegations against the defendants, charging that the two deputies chased Guardado for no reason before Vega “unloaded” into Guardado’s back “without provocation or justification.”
The complaint sought to link the deputies to a reputed gang said to operate out of the Compton station where Vega and Hernandez were based. In a recent deposition, a deputy at the Compton station, Austreberto Gonzalez, said Vega and Hernandez were prospective members of the gang, dubbed the Executioners — a claim the deputies’ lawyers deny.
Citing the deputies’ “possible affiliations” with the Executioners and another reputed deputy clique, the 3000 Boys, the Guardado family’s lawyers accused the Sheriff’s Department of negligence, saying Sheriff Alex Villanueva has failed to weed out these deputy gangs, which the lawsuit describes as a “conspiracy to commit battery against the public.”
The Sheriff’s Department did not respond to a request for comment.
Vega’s attorney, Adam Marangell, said the lawsuit was brimming with “reckless and erroneous” claims and “appears to be a calculated effort to inflame and distort public perception against the Sheriff’s Department generally and Deputy Vega specifically.”
Vega, Marangell said, “did everything possible to avoid firing his weapon, including issuing clear and repeated commands to ‘not reach for the gun.’” He said the deputy was looking forward to the “actual facts” becoming public.
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Relatives of Andres Guardado, who was fatally shot by a sheriff’s deputy in Gardena, participate in rally seeking justice for Andres Guardado June 28 in Gardena. (Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times)
Hernandez’s attorney, Tom Yu, said the deputy’s conduct was “reasonable under the circumstances.” He noted that he represents Hernandez only in criminal and administrative matters and said the county would appoint him a lawyer to defend him in the civil suit.
The criminal investigation into Guardado’s death continues. California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra rebuffed a request from Villanueva to monitor his department’s inquiry, telling the sheriff in a letter that the attorney general’s office intervenes in investigations of police shootings only in “exceptional circumstances,” such as a conflict of interest or abuse of discretion.
Sheriff’s investigators offered a limited update on the inquiry last month, describing the auto body shop near where Guardado was killed as a hot spot for crime. The deputies involved in Guardado’s death had been called two weeks earlier to the same location, where they found a man with gunshot wounds, Cmdr. Chris Marks said.
Investigators served a search warrant and found bottles of nitrous oxide gas, methamphetamine and a shotgun, sheriff’s officials said, although they conceded they found no evidence linking Guardado to the seized items.
Times staff writer Alene Tchekmedyian contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-09-02--Prosecutors begin dismissing felony cases involving LAPD officers accused in gang-framing scandal

Prosecutors have begun dismissing felony cases that relied on the work of Los Angeles police officers charged this summer with falsifying records and obstructing justice by claiming without evidence that people they stopped were gang members .
So far , at least seven cases have been dismissed or recommended for dismissal and another seven are being scrutinized for potential dismissal , according to the L.A. County district attorney ’ s office .
Hundreds of additional cases are under review by prosecutors after the corruption allegations sparked questions about the legitimacy of the officers ’ past police work .
The dismissals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases that are now vulnerable .
In five of the seven cases , defendants had been charged with possession of a firearm by a felon .
In a recently dismissed case , two of the accused LAPD officers — Braxton Shaw and Michael Coblentz — insisted the man they arrested in November 2016 was a gang member .
They had repeatedly questioned Wesly Williams about his connections with the 84 Swan Blood gang and his alleged moniker , though he denied any affiliation , court records show .
Shaw later wrote in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ self-admitted ” member of the gang , which had been involved in a feud at the time .
As they approached Williams in their squad car on 84th Street in South L.A. , the officers said they saw him reach into his waistband and toss a revolver into a car he was standing near .
They said a witness , whom they also identified as a gang member , confirmed their account .
Williams denied the officers ’ version of events and said he was actually standing across the street talking with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a gun , according to a motion filed by his defense attorney .
But fearing conviction and a prison sentence if he fought a case that pitted his word against the word of two officers , Williams decided the following year to take a deal instead — changing his “ not guilty ” plea to one of “ no contest ” to the gun charge in exchange for three years ’ probation .
As a result , Williams , now 31 , said he lost his job as a traveling electrician and became @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Riverside .
He had nearly completed the probation when his case was thrown out on Aug. 19 .
“ I live my life every day knowing how powerful local law enforcement is , ” Williams said in an interview with The Times .
While he was relieved to have his case wiped clean and his probation fees refunded , it ’ s little consolation , he said .
“ To be honest , I wasn ’ t elated because I knew from day one I didn ’ t have anything to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ m glad these officers are facing accountability , but there is a larger issue of racial discrimination by the LAPD and I hope it is addressed one day.
” According to a statement from the district attorney ’ s office , the case against Williams “ relied on the credibility of Officers Coblentz and Shaw and without additional evidence , prosecutors lost faith that a jury could find the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
” The D.A .
's office provided similar statements for two other recently dismissed cases involving the accused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dist .
Atty .
Jackie Lacey has said her office intends to seek remedies for those whose convictions or arrests by the charged officers are now suspect .
On Wednesday , Lacey ’ s office said prosecutors in recent weeks had zeroed in on cases in which Shaw and Coblentz were the “ sole percipient witnesses.
” They vacated pleas and dismissed charges against two defendants .
Another case was dismissed after a motion was filed to withdraw a plea , and motions to vacate pleas and dismiss charges are pending in two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
The county public defender ’ s office had previously identified two additional cases that had been dismissed , which Lacey ’ s office also confirmed .
In addition to those seven cases , Lacey ’ s office said its prosecutors are reviewing another seven cases .
Her office also said charges had been dismissed against three additional defendants whose cases were not adjudicated .
However , court records showed that all three had been dismissed in 2016 and 2017 , before the latest allegations against the officers were known .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — a 2017 felony case in which prosecutors made a disclosure to a defense attorney about Shaw .
In that case , Shaw testified at a preliminary hearing and the judge dismissed the case the same day based on insufficient evidence .
Lacey ’ s office did not respond when asked to clarify why it had included the three cases in its list of recently dismissed cases , or whether they had been dismissed based on earlier concerns about the officers ’ integrity .
Her office charged Shaw , Coblentz and Nicolas Martinez @ @ @ @ @ @ @ field cards that people had admitted to being gang members when body-camera footage showed no such admissions or showed the individuals had explicitly denied gang affiliation .
Shaw is accused of falsifying 43 cards , Coblentz of falsifying seven and Martinez of falsifying two .
However , Lacey ’ s review goes far beyond those incidents , to include felony cases from the start of the officers ’ careers .
For Shaw , that is 206 cases involving 256 defendants since February 2009 , according to district attorney records obtained by The Times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases involving 345 defendants since July 2002 .
For Martinez , that is 122 cases involving 157 defendants since September 2010 .
Lacey ’ s office said it was sending letters to more than 750 defendants and their attorneys in total , in cases that listed one or more of the charged officers as potential witnesses , urging them to contact her office if they felt the officers ’ involvement was prejudicial to their case .
Prosecutors are analyzing pending cases to determine whether they can move forward on evidence other than the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be dropped , and reviewing past cases and convictions — including those like Williams ’ that were based on plea deals — to see if they also should be reopened or dismissed .
The abrupt turnaround in cases linked to the charged officers reflects an acknowledgement among prosecutors that an officer ’ s alleged misdeeds in one case can hold relevance in their other cases .
It is not something always conceded by officials .
Often , city attorneys object to the notion — and did so in Williams ’ case when it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Williams accepting the plea deal , his public defender had filed a motion in court asking a judge to have the LAPD turn over past misconduct complaints against Shaw and Coblentz .
The filing said a prosecutor informed the defense that Shaw ’ s “ personnel file does contain impeachment information.
” Shaw ’ s credibility had come into question in 2015 when a prosecutor discovered video from an LAPD patrol car that contradicted testimony Shaw gave about a weapons arrest .
The next year , a judge tossed out an unrelated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Shaw .
Nina Poladian , Williams ’ public defender , argued in a court filing that the impeachment information in Shaw ’ s file would be used by the defense to locate witnesses to testify that the officer had engaged in misconduct similar to what Williams was also alleging .
City Atty .
Mike Feuer ’ s office , which represents the police department in legal matters , fought the release of the records .
In an opposing motion , Deputy City Atty .
Stephen Cohen argued that there “ appears to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the officers concerning the defendant ’ s alleged gang membership , even if they are wrong , because of the basis of their opinions substantiated by qualified gang experts working for the police department.
” Cohen dismissed outright Williams ’ claims that the officers had been dishonest about him self-identifying as a gang member and having a gun , calling them “ a mere denial of the officers ’ observations.
” In a recent interview , Poladian said she fully believed Williams ’ account and recalled that he was working as an electrician @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or a case history that would suggest he was a gang member .
“ Yes , he did have a prior record , but he was really working hard to change everything around , ” said Poladian , a 12-year veteran with the public defender ’ s office .
“ No matter how much we try to explain this to judges , it ’ s so hard for us to convince them that our clients may be telling the truth and law enforcement is not.
” How many cases linked to Shaw , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unclear .
Whether additional officers will be charged , thus expanding the review of cases , also remains unknown .
The three officers are among more than 20 members of the vaunted LAPD Metropolitan Division under investigation amid suspicions that officers falsified field interview cards from traffic stops and entered incorrect information in an effort to boost stop statistics .
The officers handled a range of cases , up to and including homicides .

A sergeant speaks to a platoon of LAPD Metropolitan Division officers deployed in 2015 as part of an effort to reduce crime.
Prosecutors have begun dismissing felony cases that relied on the work of Los Angeles police officers charged this summer with falsifying records and obstructing justice by claiming without evidence that people they stopped were gang members.
So far, at least seven cases have been dismissed or recommended for dismissal and another seven are being scrutinized for potential dismissal, according to the L.A. County district attorney’s office. Hundreds of additional cases are under review by prosecutors after the corruption allegations sparked questions about the legitimacy of the officers’ past police work.
The dismissals provide fresh insight into the types of cases that are now vulnerable. In five of the seven cases, defendants had been charged with possession of a firearm by a felon.
In a recently dismissed case, two of the accused LAPD officers — Braxton Shaw and Michael Coblentz — insisted the man they arrested in November 2016 was a gang member.
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They had repeatedly questioned Wesly Williams about his connections with the 84 Swan Blood gang and his alleged moniker, though he denied any affiliation, court records show. Shaw later wrote in the arrest report that Williams was a “self-admitted” member of the gang, which had been involved in a feud at the time.
As they approached Williams in their squad car on 84th Street in South L.A., the officers said they saw him reach into his waistband and toss a revolver into a car he was standing near. They said a witness, whom they also identified as a gang member, confirmed their account.
Williams denied the officers’ version of events and said he was actually standing across the street talking with a group of men and did not have a gun, according to a motion filed by his defense attorney.
But fearing conviction and a prison sentence if he fought a case that pitted his word against the word of two officers, Williams decided the following year to take a deal instead — changing his “not guilty” plea to one of “no contest” to the gun charge in exchange for three years’ probation.
As a result, Williams, now 31, said he lost his job as a traveling electrician and became homeless before finding a place to live in Riverside. He had nearly completed the probation when his case was thrown out on Aug. 19.
“I live my life every day knowing how powerful local law enforcement is,” Williams said in an interview with The Times. While he was relieved to have his case wiped clean and his probation fees refunded, it’s little consolation, he said.
“To be honest, I wasn’t elated because I knew from day one I didn’t have anything to do with having a firearm. I’m glad these officers are facing accountability, but there is a larger issue of racial discrimination by the LAPD and I hope it is addressed one day.”
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According to a statement from the district attorney’s office, the case against Williams “relied on the credibility of Officers Coblentz and Shaw and without additional evidence, prosecutors lost faith that a jury could find the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.”
The D.A.’s office provided similar statements for two other recently dismissed cases involving the accused officers.
For weeks, L.A. County Dist. Atty. Jackie Lacey has said her office intends to seek remedies for those whose convictions or arrests by the charged officers are now suspect.
On Wednesday, Lacey’s office said prosecutors in recent weeks had zeroed in on cases in which Shaw and Coblentz were the “sole percipient witnesses.”
They vacated pleas and dismissed charges against two defendants. Another case was dismissed after a motion was filed to withdraw a plea, and motions to vacate pleas and dismiss charges are pending in two additional cases, Lacey’s office said.
The county public defender’s office had previously identified two additional cases that had been dismissed, which Lacey’s office also confirmed.
In addition to those seven cases, Lacey’s office said its prosecutors are reviewing another seven cases.
Her office also said charges had been dismissed against three additional defendants whose cases were not adjudicated. However, court records showed that all three had been dismissed in 2016 and 2017, before the latest allegations against the officers were known.
The Times previously reported on one of those — a 2017 felony case in which prosecutors made a disclosure to a defense attorney about Shaw. In that case, Shaw testified at a preliminary hearing and the judge dismissed the case the same day based on insufficient evidence.
Lacey’s office did not respond when asked to clarify why it had included the three cases in its list of recently dismissed cases, or whether they had been dismissed based on earlier concerns about the officers’ integrity.
Her office charged Shaw, Coblentz and Nicolas Martinez last month, alleging they wrote on field cards that people had admitted to being gang members when body-camera footage showed no such admissions or showed the individuals had explicitly denied gang affiliation. Shaw is accused of falsifying 43 cards, Coblentz of falsifying seven and Martinez of falsifying two.
However, Lacey’s review goes far beyond those incidents, to include felony cases from the start of the officers’ careers. For Shaw, that is 206 cases involving 256 defendants since February 2009, according to district attorney records obtained by The Times. For Coblentz, that is 296 cases involving 345 defendants since July 2002. For Martinez, that is 122 cases involving 157 defendants since September 2010.
Lacey’s office said it was sending letters to more than 750 defendants and their attorneys in total, in cases that listed one or more of the charged officers as potential witnesses, urging them to contact her office if they felt the officers’ involvement was prejudicial to their case.
Prosecutors are analyzing pending cases to determine whether they can move forward on evidence other than the testimony of the charged officers or should be dropped, and reviewing past cases and convictions — including those like Williams’ that were based on plea deals — to see if they also should be reopened or dismissed.
The abrupt turnaround in cases linked to the charged officers reflects an acknowledgement among prosecutors that an officer’s alleged misdeeds in one case can hold relevance in their other cases.
It is not something always conceded by officials. Often, city attorneys object to the notion — and did so in Williams’ case when it first came before the courts.
Prior to Williams accepting the plea deal, his public defender had filed a motion in court asking a judge to have the LAPD turn over past misconduct complaints against Shaw and Coblentz. The filing said a prosecutor informed the defense that Shaw’s “personnel file does contain impeachment information.”
Shaw’s credibility had come into question in 2015 when a prosecutor discovered video from an LAPD patrol car that contradicted testimony Shaw gave about a weapons arrest. The next year, a judge tossed out an unrelated firearm case after prosecutors disclosed their investigation of Shaw.
Nina Poladian, Williams’ public defender, argued in a court filing that the impeachment information in Shaw’s file would be used by the defense to locate witnesses to testify that the officer had engaged in misconduct similar to what Williams was also alleging.
The case against Williams “relied on the credibility of Officers Coblentz and Shaw and without additional evidence prosecutors lost faith that a jury could find the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.” — L.A. County District Attorney’s office
City Atty. Mike Feuer’s office, which represents the police department in legal matters, fought the release of the records.
In an opposing motion, Deputy City Atty. Stephen Cohen argued that there “appears to be no dishonesty on the part of the officers concerning the defendant’s alleged gang membership, even if they are wrong, because of the basis of their opinions substantiated by qualified gang experts working for the police department.”
Cohen dismissed outright Williams’ claims that the officers had been dishonest about him self-identifying as a gang member and having a gun, calling them “a mere denial of the officers’ observations.”
In a recent interview, Poladian said she fully believed Williams’ account and recalled that he was working as an electrician and didn’t have any tattoos or a case history that would suggest he was a gang member.
“Yes, he did have a prior record, but he was really working hard to change everything around,” said Poladian, a 12-year veteran with the public defender’s office. “No matter how much we try to explain this to judges, it’s so hard for us to convince them that our clients may be telling the truth and law enforcement is not.”
How many cases linked to Shaw, Coblentz and Martinez will be dismissed is unclear. Whether additional officers will be charged, thus expanding the review of cases, also remains unknown.
The three officers are among more than 20 members of the vaunted LAPD Metropolitan Division under investigation amid suspicions that officers falsified field interview cards from traffic stops and entered incorrect information in an effort to boost stop statistics.
The officers handled a range of cases, up to and including homicides.


latimes--2020-09-02--L.A. council backs a pay cut for many city workers, blocks request to target LAPD raises

The Los Angeles City Council voted Wednesday to seek furloughs for more than 15,000 city workers , despite warnings that the move would harm critical city services and push police officers out of patrol cars and into desk duties .
Council members approved a declaration of fiscal emergency , which helps clear the way for many civilian city employees to receive one unpaid day off every two weeks — a 10 % pay cut .
Councilman Mike Bonin cast the lone vote against the furloughs , saying they would force LAPD officers to pick up some of the work of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of neighborhood patrols and slowing police response times .
Bonin asked his colleagues to first instruct the city ’ s negotiators to start the process of meeting with the Police Protective League , the union that represents LAPD officers , and present a proposal for delaying their scheduled raises and bonuses .
That effort should begin before the furloughs go into effect , he said .
“ There are some people who want more policing .
There are some people who want less policing , ” Bonin said .
“ But I don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anybody who wants us to be paying more to the LAPD for less policing.
” The council rejected that proposal on a 9 to 3 vote after the city ’ s top budget official said negotiators are seeking savings from every employee union , including the league .
“ We ’ re going to need to talk to all of our labor partners — civilian and sworn — and we have already started those discussions about how to solve the gap , ” City Administrative Officer Richard Llewellyn told the council .
Councilmen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s push to ask the police union to defer its new raises and bonuses , which are part of a three-year contract that ’ s expected to add $ 123 million to this year ’ s budget .
But both also voted in favor of the furlough program , which will not apply to police officers , firefighters , nurses and librarians , among others .
LAPD union officials have previously said they can not be forced to give up their raises and have no intention of doing so .
On Wednesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them out , noting that the council already cut the LAPD by $ 150 million in July , taking the department down to 9,757 officers — its lowest level since 2008 .
In a statement , the union ’ s board pointed out Bonin voted last year to approve the raises .
“ He ’ s having a tough time keeping track of all his flip-flops when it comes to public safety , ” the union board said .
“ He voted to pay a competitive wage to police officers to recruit and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cut their pay to help his political ambitions.
” The debate over spending comes as the city faces its worst financial crisis since the last recession .
Shutdowns following the outbreak of COVID-19 have left the city with additional costs and lower-than-expected tax revenue .
Added to those pressures are a series of more expensive employee salary agreements .
Under the contract with the league , rank-and-file officers are on track to receive a combined 4.8 % increase over the current fiscal year , which began July 1 .
The first of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % — went into effect July 5 .
Another 3.25 % is due in January .
On Wednesday , the council agreed to offer eligible workers up to $ 80,000 to retire , an effort expected to save $ 13 million .
Meanwhile , LAPD officers are not alone in receiving raises during the ongoing budget crunch .
The city ’ s firefighter union received a 4.75 % pay increase on July 5 and is poised to receive another 3 % next summer , according to a city memo .
The Coalition of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ half-dozen civilian city employee groups , is slated to receive a 2 % raise in January and another 2 % in June .
Bonin said he is not seeking to have either the coalition or the firefighters union postpone or give up their raises .
The LAPD is the “ big kahuna , ” he said , since it consumes more than half the city ’ s unrestricted funds .
“ I wouldn ’ t support asking for concessions from the firefighters in Los Angeles , ” he said .
“ Right now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our battle against climate change and we have had a ... history in Los Angeles of decimating the Fire Department.
” Bob Schoonover , president of Service Employees International Union Local 721 , made clear his union intends to keep fighting the pay cuts .
“ We know the furloughs are illegal under our labor contracts and we will vigorously fight to defend our front-line heroes , ” he said in a statement .

Los Angeles City Councilman Mike Bonin cast the lone vote against furloughs, arguing that they would force LAPD officers off patrol and into desk duties.
The Los Angeles City Council voted Wednesday to seek furloughs for more than 15,000 city workers, despite warnings that the move would harm critical city services and push police officers out of patrol cars and into desk duties.
Council members approved a declaration of fiscal emergency, which helps clear the way for many civilian city employees to receive one unpaid day off every two weeks — a 10% pay cut. Councilman Mike Bonin cast the lone vote against the furloughs, saying they would force LAPD officers to pick up some of the work of their furloughed co-workers, reducing the number of neighborhood patrols and slowing police response times.
Bonin asked his colleagues to first instruct the city’s negotiators to start the process of meeting with the Police Protective League, the union that represents LAPD officers, and present a proposal for delaying their scheduled raises and bonuses. That effort should begin before the furloughs go into effect, he said.
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“There are some people who want more policing. There are some people who want less policing,” Bonin said. “But I don’t know that there’s anybody who wants us to be paying more to the LAPD for less policing.”
The council rejected that proposal on a 9 to 3 vote after the city’s top budget official said negotiators are seeking savings from every employee union, including the league.
“We’re going to need to talk to all of our labor partners — civilian and sworn — and we have already started those discussions about how to solve the gap,” City Administrative Officer Richard Llewellyn told the council.
Councilmen Herb Wesson and Marqueece Harris-Dawson supported Bonin’s push to ask the police union to defer its new raises and bonuses, which are part of a three-year contract that’s expected to add $123 million to this year’s budget. But both also voted in favor of the furlough program, which will not apply to police officers, firefighters, nurses and librarians, among others.
LAPD union officials have previously said they cannot be forced to give up their raises and have no intention of doing so. On Wednesday, the league criticized Bonin for singling them out, noting that the council already cut the LAPD by $150 million in July, taking the department down to 9,757 officers — its lowest level since 2008.
In a statement, the union’s board pointed out Bonin voted last year to approve the raises.
“He’s having a tough time keeping track of all his flip-flops when it comes to public safety,” the union board said. “He voted to pay a competitive wage to police officers to recruit and retain them, and now wants to cut their pay to help his political ambitions.”
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The debate over spending comes as the city faces its worst financial crisis since the last recession. Shutdowns following the outbreak of COVID-19 have left the city with additional costs and lower-than-expected tax revenue. Added to those pressures are a series of more expensive employee salary agreements.
Under the contract with the league, rank-and-file officers are on track to receive a combined 4.8% increase over the current fiscal year, which began July 1. The first of the union’s two raises — 1.5% — went into effect July 5. Another 3.25% is due in January.
On Wednesday, the council agreed to offer eligible workers up to $80,000 to retire, an effort expected to save $13 million. Meanwhile, LAPD officers are not alone in receiving raises during the ongoing budget crunch.
The city’s firefighter union received a 4.75% pay increase on July 5 and is poised to receive another 3% next summer, according to a city memo. The Coalition of L.A. City Unions, which represents a half-dozen civilian city employee groups, is slated to receive a 2% raise in January and another 2% in June.
Bonin said he is not seeking to have either the coalition or the firefighters union postpone or give up their raises. The LAPD is the “big kahuna,” he said, since it consumes more than half the city’s unrestricted funds.
“I wouldn’t support asking for concessions from the firefighters in Los Angeles,” he said. “Right now, they are the front lines of our battle against climate change and we have had a ... history in Los Angeles of decimating the Fire Department.”
Bob Schoonover, president of Service Employees International Union Local 721, made clear his union intends to keep fighting the pay cuts.
“We know the furloughs are illegal under our labor contracts and we will vigorously fight to defend our front-line heroes,” he said in a statement.


latimes--2020-09-02--Three wounded in shooting at Santa Ana high-rise, police seeking shooter

Santa Ana police officers responded to a shooting in a high-rise Wednesday afternoon , finding three people with gunshot wounds @ @ @ @ @ 4:30 p.m. , authorities said .
Police were called to the apartment building at 9 @ @ @ @ @ at 3:15 p.m. , Cpl .
Anthony Bertagna said .
They found one wounded person @ @ @ @ @ learned the shooting may have started on the building ’ s 15th floor , Bertagna @ @ @ @ @ victim on the 15th floor , and they have since located a third wounded person @ @ @ @ @ where in the building the third victim was found .
He also didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ of the people who were wounded .
As of 4:30 p.m. , police were still @ @ @ @ @

Santa Ana police officers responded to a shooting in a high-rise Wednesday afternoon, finding three people with gunshot wounds but no shooter as of 4:30 p.m., authorities said.
Police were called to the apartment building at 9 MacArthur Place in Santa Ana at 3:15 p.m., Cpl. Anthony Bertagna said. They found one wounded person on the first floor and learned the shooting may have started on the building’s 15th floor, Bertagna said.
Officers found another victim on the 15th floor, and they have since located a third wounded person. Bertagna did not know where in the building the third victim was found. He also didn’t know the condition of any of the people who were wounded.
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As of 4:30 p.m., police were still searching for a shooter.


latimes--2020-09-02--Attorneys for Dijon Kizzee's family say he was shot at 15 times as he ran away

Attorneys representing the family of Dijon Kizzee said Wednesday that he was shot at 15 times by Los Angeles County sheriff ’ s deputies in Westmont as he ran away during a stop for bicycle code violations .
“ Dijon Kizzee did not deserve to be executed like this in cold blood , as he was running away , ” said Ben Crump , a prominent national civil rights attorney who also represents the family of George Floyd , who was killed by police in Minneapolis , and Jacob Blake , who was paralyzed after getting shot multiple times by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family ’ s attorneys said that law enforcement officers will often use bicycle code violations as a pretext to justify a stop when a shooting or other use of force has occurred .
“ That could be something as benign as riding his bicycle on the sidewalk or against traffic , ” said attorney Carl Douglas .
“ You never see anyone in the Westside of Los Angeles stopped for a code violation .
You never see anybody in Beverly Hills or Santa Monica stopped for a code violation.
” Attorney Dale Galipo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — while visibly unarmed and moving away — without any commands or verbal warning .
“ Another reckless , unnecessary shooting of a person of color , ” he said .
“ One has to wonder : How long is this gon na go on ?
And why is it continuing to go on , day after day , week after week ?
How many families are watching right now concerned that their children , their loved ones are gon na be the next victims ?
” Coroner ’ s officials determined that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full autopsy report will show how many times he was struck and where on his body .
Kizzee ’ s death is the second fatal deputy shooting in three months within a block in the Westmont neighborhood .
Relatives and activists have demanded that those involved be arrested and prosecuted .
The Sheriff ’ s Department said both deputies have been removed from the field pending review of the incident .
Their names have not been released .
The Sheriff ’ s Department said the encounter Monday afternoon began when two deputies from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man , later identified by coroner ’ s officials as Kizzee , riding a bicycle in violation of vehicle codes .
Lt. Brandon Dean said he didn ’ t know which codes were allegedly violated .
Deputies attempted to contact Kizzee , but he dropped the bicycle and ran , and deputies gave chase , Dean said .
Deputies again tried to make contact in the 1200 block of West 109th Place , and Dean said Kizzee punched one of them in the face .
Kizzee then dropped a jacket he had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the ground , officials said .
The Sheriff ’ s Department said Tuesday evening that Kizzee “ made a motion toward ” the gun , and the deputies opened fire , killing him .
A grainy video of the incident obtained by The Times shows a physical altercation between Kizzee and the deputies before Kizzee tries to get away and falls to the ground .
A wall and fencing obscures the full scene , including where Kizzee ’ s jacket falls .
Another video reviewed by The Times showed Kizzee walking away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video then cuts to deputies with guns drawn over his body .
A third video , from the front door camera at one residents ’ home , recorded sounds of 15 gunshots over a 10-second period but did not show the actual shooting .
Dean said he did not know how many times Kizzee was shot .
Sheriff ’ s officials said a handgun was recovered at the scene .

Residents face off with L.A. County sheriff’s deputies hours after the killing of Dijon Kizzee in South L.A.
Attorneys representing the family of Dijon Kizzee said Wednesday that he was shot at 15 times by Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies in Westmont as he ran away during a stop for bicycle code violations.
“Dijon Kizzee did not deserve to be executed like this in cold blood, as he was running away,” said Ben Crump, a prominent national civil rights attorney who also represents the family of George Floyd, who was killed by police in Minneapolis, and Jacob Blake, who was paralyzed after getting shot multiple times by police in Kenosha, Wis.
The family’s attorneys said that law enforcement officers will often use bicycle code violations as a pretext to justify a stop when a shooting or other use of force has occurred.
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“That could be something as benign as riding his bicycle on the sidewalk or against traffic,” said attorney Carl Douglas. “You never see anyone in the Westside of Los Angeles stopped for a code violation. You never see anybody in Beverly Hills or Santa Monica stopped for a code violation.”
Attorney Dale Galipo said Kizzee was shot in the back — while visibly unarmed and moving away — without any commands or verbal warning.
“Another reckless, unnecessary shooting of a person of color,” he said. “One has to wonder: How long is this gonna go on? And why is it continuing to go on, day after day, week after week? How many families are watching right now concerned that their children, their loved ones are gonna be the next victims?”
Coroner’s officials determined that Kizzee died of gunshot wounds. The full autopsy report will show how many times he was struck and where on his body.
Kizzee’s death is the second fatal shooting involving deputies in three months within a block in the Westmont neighborhood. Relatives and activists have demanded that those involved be arrested and prosecuted. The Sheriff’s Department said both deputies have been removed from the field pending review of the incident. Their names have not been released.
The Sheriff’s Department said the encounter Monday afternoon began when two deputies from the South Los Angeles station spotted a man, later identified by coroner’s officials as Kizzee, riding a bicycle in violation of vehicle codes. Lt. Brandon Dean said he didn’t know which codes were allegedly violated.
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Deputies attempted to contact Kizzee, but he dropped the bicycle and ran, and deputies gave chase, Dean said. Deputies again tried to make contact in the 1200 block of West 109th Place, and Dean said Kizzee punched one of them in the face.
Kizzee then dropped a jacket he had been carrying, and a black handgun fell to the ground, officials said. The Sheriff’s Department said Tuesday evening that Kizzee “made a motion toward” the gun, and the deputies opened fire, killing him.
A grainy video of the incident obtained by The Times shows a physical altercation between Kizzee and the deputies before Kizzee tries to get away and falls to the ground. A wall and fencing obscures the full scene, including where Kizzee’s jacket falls.
Another video reviewed by The Times showed Kizzee walking away from deputies moments earlier. That same video then cuts to deputies with guns drawn over his body.
A third video, from the front door camera at one resident’s home, recorded sounds of 15 gunshots over a 10-second period but did not show the actual shooting.
Dean said he did not know how many times Kizzee was shot. Sheriff’s officials said a handgun was recovered at the scene.


latimes--2020-09-02--New at L.A. County libraries: Free printing and laptop and mobile hot-spot kits

With Los Angeles County still largely on lockdown amid the pandemic , the county ’ s public library system has launched a program to lend laptops and mobile wireless internet service , as well as to provide free printing .
The new services are intended to address technological woes for people who don ’ t have printers , computers or Wi-Fi access at home .
“ The digital divide has far-reaching consequences , especially during this unprecedented time , ” library Director Skye Patrick said in a news release .
“ No connection to the internet means no way for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in virtual interviews , no way for isolated older adults to receive telehealth or keep in touch with loved ones , no way for caregivers to access information for homeschooling or support their kids ’ digital schooling needs .
We see laptop and hotspot loans and printing pickup as two ways the library can help to bridge the digital divide for these communities.
” Patrons can print up to 10 black-and-white pages per day Monday through Friday and pick them up at one of the more than three dozen Sidewalk Service locations around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how it works : • Upload the documents you want to print to the Smart Alec program via your computer , tablet or smartphone .
You ’ ll need to download an app if you ’ re on a mobile device .
• The documents are converted to PDFs and printed out , then immediately placed in an envelope for privacy .
• After uploading your document , call the Sidewalk Service location to arrange a time for pickup .
Any documents that aren ’ t picked up within three business days will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ upload links can be found on the library ’ s website .
The library is launching a pilot program at 10 locations to lend kits that include a Chromebook , a Wi-Fi hot spot , chargers and a carrying case .
Like books , loans last three weeks , with the option to renew up to three times if there are no holds pending from other users .
The wireless hot-spot device will provide access to the internet .
An instruction sheet is included that explainshow to use the equipment , and library @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with further questions .
Adults with a library card in good standing are eligible to borrow the kits .
Kits can be reserved by phone or online , like other library materials .
Call one of the 10 participating library locations to arrange for pickup .

With Los Angeles County still largely on lockdown amid the pandemic, the county’s public library system has launched a program to lend laptops and mobile wireless internet service, as well as to provide free printing.
The new services are intended to address technological woes for people who don’t have printers, computers or Wi-Fi access at home.
“The digital divide has far-reaching consequences, especially during this unprecedented time,” library Director Skye Patrick said in a news release. “No connection to the internet means no way for the unemployed to find employment or participate in virtual interviews, no way for isolated older adults to receive telehealth or keep in touch with loved ones, no way for caregivers to access information for homeschooling or support their kids’ digital schooling needs. We see laptop and hotspot loans and printing pickup as two ways the library can help to bridge the digital divide for these communities.”
Printing
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Patrons can print up to 10 black-and-white pages per day Monday through Friday and pick them up at one of the more than three dozen Sidewalk Service locations around Los Angeles County. Here’s how it works:
Upload the documents you want to print to the Smart Alec program via your computer, tablet or smartphone. You’ll need to download an app if you’re on a mobile device.
The documents are converted to PDFs and printed out, then immediately placed in an envelope for privacy.
After uploading your document, call the Sidewalk Service location to arrange a time for pickup. Any documents that aren’t picked up within three business days will be shredded.
More detailed instructions and upload links can be found on the library’s website.
Laptop and hot-spot loans
The library is launching a pilot program at 10 locations to lend kits that include a Chromebook, a Wi-Fi hot spot, chargers and a carrying case.
Like books, loans last three weeks, with the option to renew up to three times if there are no holds pending from other users. The wireless hot-spot device will provide access to the internet. An instruction sheet is included that explainshow to use the equipment, and library staff are available by phone to help with further questions. Adults with a library card in good standing are eligible to borrow the kits. Kits can be reserved by phone or online, like other library materials. Call one of the 10 participating library locations to arrange for pickup.