latimes--2020-07-10--Independent autopsy of Robert Fuller finds no signs of foul play

An autopsy commissioned by the family of Robert Fuller , a Black man whose body was found hanging from a tree in Palmdale , found no signs of foul play , the family ’ s attorney said Friday .
The Los Angeles County Sheriff ’ s Department said Thursday that its detectives and the Los Angeles Medical Examiner-Coroner had determined that Fuller , 24 , died by suicide , affirming a preliminary finding that Fuller ’ s family and many residents of the Antelope Valley had called into question .
Dr. Marvin Pietruszka , a pathologist who examined Fuller ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family , found no signs of trauma significant enough to indicate a struggle or any foul play , according to Jamon Hicks , a lawyer representing the family .
While Pietruszka has yet to officially determine the cause of death and is still completing a written analysis , Hicks said he does not expect it to dispute the coroner ’ s conclusion .
While the coroner ’ s office investigated the possibility that Fuller was hanged by someone other than himself , Matthew J. Miller , a deputy medical examiner , said a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the limbs or neck , “ coupled with the existence of evidence of prior suicidal ideation and a history of mental health issues , ” supported the finding of suicide .
Sheriff ’ s investigators said Thursday that , after obtaining medical records and interviewing relatives and social workers , they established that Fuller had been repeatedly hospitalized in the last three years for mental illness and suicidal behavior .
Fuller had expressed an intention to hurt himself , and on at least one occasion attempted it , investigators said , noting that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fire in Las Vegas .
Sheriff ’ s detectives learned that an Electronic Benefit Transfer card registered to Fuller was used May 14 to purchase a red rope , consistent with the one used in his death , Cmdr .
Chris Marks said Thursday .
Detectives haven ’ t recovered video from the dollar store showing Fuller purchasing the rope , although Marks said they ’ ve obtained video that shows Fuller using the same debit card at other stores .
Fuller was last seen alive at a 7-Eleven store around 8 p.m. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ About seven hours later , a homeless person walking through Poncitlán Square , near Palmdale ’ s City Hall , found Fuller ’ s body hanging from a tree and alerted a nearby fire station , a coroner ’ s report said .
Fuller ’ s left wrist was scarred ; Miller , the deputy medical examiner , said this was “ strongly suggestive of prior suicidal ideation.
” Hicks said Fuller ’ s family has since learned he “ was what you ’ d call a ‘ cutter ’ — he cut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the family didn ’ t know the severity of Fuller ’ s apparent mental illness , as demonstrated in the hospital records that sheriff ’ s investigators detailed on Thursday , until the department briefed Hicks on their findings a few hours before they were made public .
Hicks said he appreciated the oversight of the FBI and Atty .
Gen. Xavier Becerra , who he said spoke personally with Fuller ’ s family after his office assumed a monitoring role in the sheriff ’ s investigation .
“ That brings me @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on this , ” Hicks said .
Hicks threw cold water on the notion that Fuller ’ s death and that of his half-brother , Terron Boone , were connected .
A week after Fuller ’ s body was found , Boone , 31 , died in a shootout with Los Angeles County sheriff ’ s detectives in Rosamond , a Kern County community about 20 miles north of Palmdale .
In the Sheriff ’ s Department ’ s account , plainclothes detectives tried to pull over a Jeep carrying Boone , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and imprisoning a woman , when Boone stepped out of the car , shooting .
Detectives fatally shot him in the chest .
Sheriff ’ s detectives are still investigating Boone ’ s death ; officials on Thursday declined to discuss that probe .

On June 10, Robert Fuller’s body was found hanging from a tree outside Palmdale City Hall. His death came in the middle of the George Floyd protests and a week after Malcolm Harsch, another Black man, was found hanging from a tree in Victorville, less than 50 miles away. Their deaths shed light on the concerning rise in suicides among Black Americans.
An autopsy commissioned by the family of Robert Fuller, a Black man whose body was found hanging from a tree in Palmdale, found no signs of foul play, the family’s attorney said Friday.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said Thursday that its detectives and the Los Angeles Medical Examiner-Coroner had determined that Fuller, 24, died by suicide, affirming a preliminary finding that Fuller’s family and many residents of the Antelope Valley had called into question.
Dr. Marvin Pietruszka, a pathologist who examined Fuller’s body at the request of his family, found no signs of trauma significant enough to indicate a struggle or any foul play, according to Jamon Hicks, a lawyer representing the family. While Pietruszka has yet to officially determine the cause of death and is still completing a written analysis, Hicks said he does not expect it to dispute the coroner’s conclusion.
While the coroner’s office investigated the possibility that Fuller was hanged by someone other than himself, Matthew J. Miller, a deputy medical examiner, said a lack of “significant trauma” to the limbs or neck, “coupled with the existence of evidence of prior suicidal ideation and a history of mental health issues,” supported the finding of suicide.
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Sheriff’s investigators said Thursday that, after obtaining medical records and interviewing relatives and social workers, they established that Fuller had been repeatedly hospitalized in the last three years for mental illness and suicidal behavior. Fuller had expressed an intention to hurt himself, and on at least one occasion attempted it, investigators said, noting that he had tried to light himself on fire in Las Vegas.
Sheriff’s detectives learned that an Electronic Benefit Transfer card registered to Fuller was used May 14 to purchase a red rope, consistent with the one used in his death, Cmdr. Chris Marks said Thursday. Detectives haven’t recovered video from the dollar store showing Fuller purchasing the rope, although Marks said they’ve obtained video that shows Fuller using the same debit card at other stores.
Fuller was last seen alive at a 7-Eleven store around 8 p.m. on June 9, Hicks said. About seven hours later, a homeless person walking through Poncitlán Square, near Palmdale’s City Hall, found Fuller’s body hanging from a tree and alerted a nearby fire station, a coroner’s report said.
Fuller’s left wrist was scarred; Miller, the deputy medical examiner, said this was “strongly suggestive of prior suicidal ideation.” Hicks said Fuller’s family has since learned he “was what you’d call a ‘cutter’ — he cut himself to relieve pain.” He added that the family didn’t know the severity of Fuller’s apparent mental illness, as demonstrated in the hospital records that sheriff’s investigators detailed on Thursday, until the department briefed Hicks on their findings a few hours before they were made public.
Hicks said he appreciated the oversight of the FBI and Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra, who he said spoke personally with Fuller’s family after his office assumed a monitoring role in the sheriff’s investigation. “That brings me relief, that there were numerous eyes on this,” Hicks said.
Hicks threw cold water on the notion that Fuller’s death and that of his half-brother, Terron Boone, were connected. A week after Fuller’s body was found, Boone, 31, died in a shootout with Los Angeles County sheriff’s detectives in Rosamond, a Kern County community about 20 miles north of Palmdale.
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In the Sheriff’s Department’s account, plainclothes detectives tried to pull over a Jeep carrying Boone, who was wanted for allegedly assaulting, threatening and imprisoning a woman, when Boone stepped out of the car, shooting. Detectives fatally shot him in the chest.
Sheriff’s detectives are still investigating Boone’s death; officials on Thursday declined to discuss that probe.


latimes--2020-07-10--Bill Field, organist and founder of Old Town Music Hall, dies at 80

With Bill Field at the Wurlitzer , the Old Town Music Hall was a time warp that sailed its guests back to the early 20th century when movie houses were gilded palaces and orchestras supplied the soundtrack that film had yet to master .
Field ’ s love affair with old movie theaters , silent film and the soaring power of the Mighty Wurlitzer was so infectious it attracted a hard-core stable of followers who would show up for an evening concert and a short film or a Sunday matinee at the downtown El Segundo theater .
“ For a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behind your humble existence and live like royalty , ” said Don Manning of the Los Angeles Conversancy , explaining the dreamlike experience of the theater to The Times in 1991 .
The music hall closed in mid-March when the pandemic began its march across California .
But Field and his supporters remained hopeful that it would someday open again .
Waiting still , Field died June 28 , his death likely a result of a stroke he had suffered as well as prostate cancer , friends said .
He was 80 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ we lost a part of L.A. history , ” said Oscar- and Emmy-winning documentary filmmaker James Moll , an advocate for the theater and one of Field ’ s friends .
“ Fortunately , he leaves a valuable legacy in Old Town Music Hall , which will keep doing its thing for as long as there are people in L.A. who love classic film and music.
” Field and his friend Bill Coffman found the Wurlitzer at the old Fox West Coast Theater in Long Beach .
Full orchestras had long since vanished @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now the pipe organs were on their way out as well .
The two borrowed $ 2,000 from a credit union to buy the instrument and then put it in storage , where it sat — in pieces — for the next 10 years .
The organ and the two film aficionados finally found a home when a boxy old movie theater on Richmond Street became available in 1968 .
It had once been home to the El Segundo State Theater and , for a while , a Baptist church .
In came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the majestic curtains , the evocative oil paintings and glittering chandeliers .
Reassembled , the Wurlitzer was a behemoth of an instrument — more than 2,000 pipes and 244 keys arranged on four keyboards along with stopkeys that triggered the sounds of bells , cymbals , trumpets and drums .
In short , a full orchestra , In the dark , it glowed eerily and then sprung to life when the curtains parted , a musical explosion before Lon Chaney , or perhaps Charlie Chaplin , appeared on the screen .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s dream bubble , ” Janet Klein , a musician who performed at the theater , told Variety .
William Charles Field was born in Los Angeles on Oct. 4 , 1939 , one of four children in a hardworking family .
Both of his parents were employed by the Los Angeles Unified School District — his father as an electrician , his mother a secretary .
Though they both worked in a public school district , the couple sent their children to Catholic schools .
Field found his love , his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when he wandered through the Barker Bros. department store in downtown L.A. and was captivated by the sound of a pipe organ roaring and dipping in the background as shoppers browsed .
By the time he was 12 , he had been hired as the organist at the Los Angeles Theatre on South Broadway .
He never wandered far from the instrument .
“ Pipe organs were the soul and sound of the old theaters , ” Field told The Times in 2008 .
Both Field and Coffman lived simply — Field in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ South L.A. and Coffman in a rented room in El Segundo .
Field repaired organs for a living , while Coffman got by on a small pension from his days as a musician .
But at the theater , both felt rich and rewarded .
Even as his health declined , Field navigated his way to the organ on a scooter and pulled the audience under the spell of the Wurlitzer before the silent movies and early talkies began to roll .
“ We tried to create an escape from the bombardment of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who died in 2001 .
“ Organ music does that.
” The lights were turned off at the Old Town Music Hall in March following a showing of the musical “ For Me and My Gal ” with Judy Garland and Gene Kelly .
Moll said the plan is to reopen the theater when the pandemic loosens its grip and that Edward Torres , a 24-year-old organist who was mentored by Field , will take over the Wurlitzer .
But Field ’ s presence will linger inside the music hall .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a defining cultural feature of Los Angeles : the music and film industry , ” said Tom Bopp , a musician who first walked into the music hall as an 18-year-old classical music student .
“ Bill Field , by keeping the classic films rolling and the vintage music flowing , nourished the roots of today ’ s pop culture and kept them alive.
” Field is survived by his longtime partner , Danny Tokusato , and two sisters .

With Bill Field at the Wurlitzer, the Old Town Music Hall was a time warp that sailed its guests back to the early 20th century when movie houses were gilded palaces and orchestras supplied the soundtrack that film had yet to master.
Field’s love affair with old movie theaters, silent film and the soaring power of the Mighty Wurlitzer was so infectious it attracted a hard-core stable of followers who would show up for an evening concert and a short film or a Sunday matinee at the downtown El Segundo theater.
“For a brief period of time you could leave behind your humble existence and live like royalty,” said Don Manning of the Los Angeles Conversancy, explaining the dreamlike experience of the theater to The Times in 1991.
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The music hall closed in mid-March when the pandemic began its march across California. But Field and his supporters remained hopeful that it would someday open again.
Waiting still, Field died June 28, his death likely a result of a stroke he had suffered as well as prostate cancer, friends said. He was 80.
“When we lost Bill Field, we lost a part of L.A. history,” said Oscar- and Emmy-winning documentary filmmaker James Moll, an advocate for the theater and one of Field’s friends. “Fortunately, he leaves a valuable legacy in Old Town Music Hall, which will keep doing its thing for as long as there are people in L.A. who love classic film and music.”
The Old Town Music Hall in El Segundo. The music hall closed in mid-March when the pandemic began its march across California. But Field and his supporters remained hopeful that it would someday open again. (DonHoltz.com)
Field and his friend Bill Coffman found the Wurlitzer at the old Fox West Coast Theater in Long Beach. Full orchestras had long since vanished from the pits at movie houses and now the pipe organs were on their way out as well.
The two borrowed $2,000 from a credit union to buy the instrument and then put it in storage, where it sat — in pieces — for the next 10 years.
The organ and the two film aficionados finally found a home when a boxy old movie theater on Richmond Street became available in 1968. It had once been home to the El Segundo State Theater and, for a while, a Baptist church.
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In came the Wurlitzer, the ruby red carpeting, the majestic curtains, the evocative oil paintings and glittering chandeliers.
Reassembled, the Wurlitzer was a behemoth of an instrument — more than 2,000 pipes and 244 keys arranged on four keyboards along with stopkeys that triggered the sounds of bells, cymbals, trumpets and drums. In short, a full orchestra,
In the dark, it glowed eerily and then sprung to life when the curtains parted, a musical explosion before Lon Chaney, or perhaps Charlie Chaplin, appeared on the screen.
“You knew you were walking into somebody’s dream bubble,” Janet Klein, a musician who performed at the theater, told Variety.
William Charles Field was born in Los Angeles on Oct. 4, 1939, one of four children in a hardworking family. Both of his parents were employed by the Los Angeles Unified School District — his father as an electrician, his mother a secretary. Though they both worked in a public school district, the couple sent their children to Catholic schools.
Field found his love, his avocation and his future all at once when he wandered through the Barker Bros. department store in downtown L.A. and was captivated by the sound of a pipe organ roaring and dipping in the background as shoppers browsed. By the time he was 12, he had been hired as the organist at the Los Angeles Theatre on South Broadway.
He never wandered far from the instrument.
“Pipe organs were the soul and sound of the old theaters,” Field told The Times in 2008.
3 years ago tomorrow, Bill Field, co-founder of LA gem The Old Town Music Hall, played me down the aisle on his Mighty Wurlitzer. @Dustinlmu & I fell in love at his theatre. You'd hear his organ, do a sing-along, watch a comedy short, then a feature classic. RIP to a local legend pic.twitter.com/zuY21uLxQS — Charley Feldman (@charley_feldman) June 30, 2020
Both Field and Coffman lived simply — Field in his family’s old home in South L.A. and Coffman in a rented room in El Segundo. Field repaired organs for a living, while Coffman got by on a small pension from his days as a musician. But at the theater, both felt rich and rewarded.
Even as his health declined, Field navigated his way to the organ on a scooter and pulled the audience under the spell of the Wurlitzer before the silent movies and early talkies began to roll.
“We tried to create an escape from the bombardment of modern-day electronic trauma,” said Coffman, who died in 2001. “Organ music does that.”
The lights were turned off at the Old Town Music Hall in March following a showing of the musical “For Me and My Gal” with Judy Garland and Gene Kelly. Moll said the plan is to reopen the theater when the pandemic loosens its grip and that Edward Torres, a 24-year-old organist who was mentored by Field, will take over the Wurlitzer.
But Field’s presence will linger inside the music hall.
“We’ve lost a quiet champion of a defining cultural feature of Los Angeles: the music and film industry,” said Tom Bopp, a musician who first walked into the music hall as an 18-year-old classical music student. “Bill Field, by keeping the classic films rolling and the vintage music flowing, nourished the roots of today’s pop culture and kept them alive.”
Field is survived by his longtime partner, Danny Tokusato, and two sisters.


latimes--2020-07-10--Long Beach police still looking for shooters in Halloween party attack that left 3 dead

After a months-long investigation garnered few leads , authorities in Long Beach turned to the public on Friday to seek help identifying the shooters who opened fire at a party at a home last year , killing three people and wounding nine others .
It ’ s been more than eight months since police and fire officials arrived at what Long Beach Police Chief Robert Luna described as a chaotic scene at a home on 7th Street near Temple Avenue in response to the shooting .
Officers found victims inside and outside the home .
Some of the partygoers were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bash .
Nine people — seven women and two men — were taken to area hospitals .
Three men — Maurice Poe Jr. , 25 , of Long Beach ; Melvin Williams II , 35 , of Gardena ; and Ricardo Torres , 28 , of Inglewood — were pronounced dead at the scene .
Using security camera footage from various locations around the home , police have identified three vehicles — a white Toyota 4Runner , a silver Chrysler PT Cruiser and a white Toyota RAV4 — that they suspect may have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ released videos of the vehicles Friday in the hope that someone will come forward with license plate numbers or information about the drivers .
During a news conference Friday , police did not provide information about the number of assailants they believe to be involved nor how they believe the shooting unfolded on Oct. 29 .
“ Our intent is to arrest everyone who was involved and then we can put the pieces of this very complicated puzzle together , ” Luna said .
Initially , authorities suspected that a lone masked gunman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a rear alley and opened fire on almost 30 people attending the birthday party before fleeing in a dark vehicle .
However , over the course of their investigation , authorities have determined that the shooting was likely carried out by multiple assailants who traveled to the party in light-colored vehicles from North Long Beach .
“ If you remember the tragic events of this incident , the day after the incident I referred to these suspects as cowards and I think that ’ s what they are when you consider the brutal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Luna said .
Luna said the situation did not appear to be a “ random act of violence , ” but did not say whether investigators have determined a motive in the shooting .
He added that based on interviews with witnesses and statements the attackers made at the scene , investigators now believe the shooters may have been gang members .
None of the victims had ties to any gang , he said .
Officials are offering a $ 40,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the individuals involved @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call the department ’ s Homicide Detail at ( 562 ) 570-7244 .
“ Even a small amount of information can significantly help our investigation , ” Luna said .

Family and friends of the Halloween party shooting victims are joined by government officials at a Long Beach home on Nov. 5 for a traditional Buddhist memorial ceremony.
After a months-long investigation garnered few leads, authorities in Long Beach turned to the public on Friday to seek help identifying the shooters who opened fire at a party at a home last year, killing three people and wounding nine others.
It’s been more than eight months since police and fire officials arrived at what Long Beach Police Chief Robert Luna described as a chaotic scene at a home on 7th Street near Temple Avenue in response to the shooting. Officers found victims inside and outside the home. Some of the partygoers were dressed in costume for the Halloween-themed birthday bash.
Nine people — seven women and two men — were taken to area hospitals. Three men — Maurice Poe Jr., 25, of Long Beach; Melvin Williams II, 35, of Gardena; and Ricardo Torres, 28, of Inglewood — were pronounced dead at the scene.
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Using security camera footage from various locations around the home, police have identified three vehicles — a white Toyota 4Runner, a silver Chrysler PT Cruiser and a white Toyota RAV4 — that they suspect may have been driven by the assailants. Police released videos of the vehicles Friday in the hope that someone will come forward with license plate numbers or information about the drivers.
During a news conference Friday, police did not provide information about the number of assailants they believe to be involved nor how they believe the shooting unfolded on Oct. 29.
“Our intent is to arrest everyone who was involved and then we can put the pieces of this very complicated puzzle together,” Luna said.
🚨 HELP NEEDED: #LBPD held a news conference in connection to the 10/29/19 murder investigation in the 2700 Blk of E 7th St.
We need the public’s help in identifying these suspects vehicles.
Read More ➡ https://t.co/NNAkVS4wdZ pic.twitter.com/TwxbcWW5ID — Long Beach PD (CA) (@LBPD) July 10, 2020
Initially, authorities suspected that a lone masked gunman climbed the wall of the home from a rear alley and opened fire on almost 30 people attending the birthday party before fleeing in a dark vehicle. However, over the course of their investigation, authorities have determined that the shooting was likely carried out by multiple assailants who traveled to the party in light-colored vehicles from North Long Beach.
“If you remember the tragic events of this incident, the day after the incident I referred to these suspects as cowards and I think that’s what they are when you consider the brutal attack and the way this occurred,” Luna said.
Luna said the situation did not appear to be a “random act of violence,” but did not say whether investigators have determined a motive in the shooting. He added that based on interviews with witnesses and statements the attackers made at the scene, investigators now believe the shooters may have been gang members. None of the victims had ties to any gang, he said.
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Officials are offering a $40,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the individuals involved. Anyone with information is asked to call the department’s Homicide Detail at (562) 570-7244.
“Even a small amount of information can significantly help our investigation,” Luna said.


latimes--2020-07-10--3 LAPD officers charged with falsifying records to claim people were gang members, associates

Three Los Angeles police officers were charged Friday with falsifying records and obstructing justice by claiming without evidence that people they stopped were gang members or associates , Los Angeles prosecutors announced Friday .
The charges come several months after the LAPD was rocked by allegations that officers falsely portrayed people as gang members or associates on field interview cards .
The 59-count complaint charged officers Braxton Shaw , Michael Coblentz and Nicolas Martinez with conspiracy to obstruct justice and multiple counts of filing a false police report and preparing false documentary evidence .
They are members of the elite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ come under scrutiny for its tactics .
More than 20 officers remain under investigation .
Prosecutors in Dist .
Atty .
Jackie Lacey ’ s office allege Shaw falsified 43 field interview cards , Coblentz falsified seven cards and Martinez falsified two cards .
They allege the officers wrote on cards that people admitted to being gang members , when footage from the officers ’ body cameras showed no such admissions or showed the people had explicitly denied gang affiliation .
The alleged victims were identified only by their first names .
Prosecutors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than a dozen “ fictional ” gang members .
Labeling individuals as gang members or associates in the CalGang database , which is accessible to law enforcement throughout the state , can have serious implications .
Beyond coloring any future interactions with police , the information can hurt people ’ s immigration standing and their ability to find employment and housing , reform advocates say .
“ This information is being disseminated in various ways throughout the community and impacting people in a lot of different dimensions , ” said Melanie Ochoa , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Southern California .
Getting removed from the database can be extremely difficult and time consuming , advocates say .
Greg Yacoubian , an attorney for Shaw , said he had not yet seen the full complaint as of late Friday morning , but is confident that his client will be cleared of any criminal wrongdoing once all the facts are out .
“ He served the members of his community both professionally and in his personal life in several different capacities , ” Yacoubian said .
“ All of his conduct is based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He ’ s been a good officer and he ’ s served honorably with LAPD for many , many years.
” Coblentz and Martinez could not be immediately reached Friday , nor could attorneys representing them .
Shaw , 37 , faces more than 31 years behind bars ; Coblentz , 42 , faces more than seven years ; and Martinez , 36 , faces more than four years , prosecutors said .
All are to be arraigned in October .
None of the officers remains on the street .
One has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ department will not say which .
Two have been suspended .
LAPD Chief Michel Moore said in a statement Friday that the officers ’ alleged actions “ tarnish the badge we all wear.
” “ Public trust is the bedrock of community policing and these allegations shake that foundation , ” he said .
Of the 21 additional officers who remain under investigation , five remain in the field .
The others have been ordered home or placed on administrative duties .
The LAPD said it launched the investigation last year after a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early 2019 informing her that her son had been identified as a gang member .
She believed her son was misidentified and reported it to a supervisor at a nearby police station .
The supervisorreviewed body-worn camera footage and found inaccuracies by the officer .
The department removed the woman ’ s son from the gang database .
The field interview cards have been used for decades to gather intelligence and create a database that officers can access to help with investigations .
Information from the cards is also used to add names @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interviews of gang members were used by the department as one measure of productivity , giving officers an incentive to make stops .
A Times analysis found the Metro Division used so-called field interview cards more than other parts of the department .
The division made up about 4 % of the force but accounted for more than 20 % of the department ’ s field interview cards issued during a recent 18-month period , a Times analysis shows .
Last month , amid widespread protests over police abuses , Moore and Mayor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ submitting new entries into the CalGang database .
Moore this week told the Police Commission that a months-long review found glaring inconsistencies and inaccuracies in how the LAPD used the database , and recommended it permanently halt its participation .
The decisions marked a concession to long-standing demands from activists who say the database and others like it are racist , built on biases and disproportionately and unfairly impact Black and brown Angelenos .
Melina Abdullah , a co-founder of Black Lives Matter — Los Angeles , said Friday that the charges against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were a long time coming .
For years , the LAPD “ refused to hear the cries of community members who have been saying that they were falsely being entered into gang databases , ” Abdullah said .
Only after activists spoke out and The Times wrote extensively on the issue did they change their tune , she said .
It also should not be the last case filed against officers in the matter , she said .
“ It ’ s more than three ‘ bad apples , ’ ” she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights activist Earl Ofari Hutchinson , said the latest charges also will not quiet criticisms of Lacey and her long record of not charging LAPD officers in shootings and other deadly encounters as she seeks reelection in November .
A Times investigation published last January showed that more than five times their share of the city ’ s population .
To combat a surge in violent crime , the LAPD doubled the size of the Metro Division in 2015 , creating special units to swarm crime hot spots .
In response to The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fall it would drastically cut back on stops of drivers encountered randomly .
At the time , Moore said Metro ’ s vehicle stops had not proved effective , netting about one arrest for every 100 cars stopped , while coming at a tremendous cost to innocent drivers who felt they were being racially profiled .
Officials said Metro crime suppression officers , who number about 200 , would instead track down suspects wanted in violent offenses and use strategies other than vehicle stops to address flareups in crimes such as burglaries and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ training on field cards for all Metro personnel , and increased audits of such stops .
On Friday , the board of directors for the Los Angeles Police Protective League , the union that represents officers , issued a statement saying that its “ expectation is that any officer filling out a police report or field interview card does so with care and accuracy.
” “ While we are not privy to all the facts that make up the District Attorney ’ s case , the LAPD ’ s national model on police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on full display with regards to this incident , ” the LAPPL board wrote .
“ It is our expectation that the Department will continue to investigate this matter fully in a fair and objective manner to determine the facts , ensure that officers are accorded their due process rights and any proven mischaracterizations are corrected.
” Garcetti , in his own statement Friday , said the officers ’ alleged behavior “ is reprehensible , and it undermines the courageous work that our officers do to keep Angelenos safe every day.
” Garcetti @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violated Angelenos ’ trust should face serious consequences .
”

Three Los Angeles police officers were charged Friday with falsifying records and obstructing justice by claiming without evidence that people they stopped were gang members or associates, Los Angeles prosecutors announced Friday.
The charges come several months after the LAPD was rocked by allegations that officers falsely portrayed people as gang members or associates on field interview cards.
The 59-count complaint charged officers Braxton Shaw, Michael Coblentz and Nicolas Martinez with conspiracy to obstruct justice and multiple counts of filing a false police report and preparing false documentary evidence.
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They are members of the elite Metro LAPD unit, which has repeatedly come under scrutiny for its tactics.
More than 20 officers remain under investigation.
Prosecutors in Dist. Atty. Jackie Lacey’s office allege Shaw falsified 43 field interview cards, Coblentz falsified seven cards and Martinez falsified two cards. They allege the officers wrote on cards that people admitted to being gang members, when footage from the officers’ body cameras showed no such admissions or showed the people had explicitly denied gang affiliation.
The alleged victims were identified only by their first names. Prosecutors also allege the officers made up more than a dozen “fictional” gang members.
Labeling individuals as gang members or associates in the CalGang database, which is accessible to law enforcement throughout the state, can have serious implications. Beyond coloring any future interactions with police, the information can hurt people’s immigration standing and their ability to find employment and housing, reform advocates say.
“This information is being disseminated in various ways throughout the community and impacting people in a lot of different dimensions,” said Melanie Ochoa, senior staff attorney for the ACLU of Southern California.
Getting removed from the database can be extremely difficult and time consuming, advocates say.
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Greg Yacoubian, an attorney for Shaw, said he had not yet seen the full complaint as of late Friday morning, but is confident that his client will be cleared of any criminal wrongdoing once all the facts are out.
“He served the members of his community both professionally and in his personal life in several different capacities,” Yacoubian said. “All of his conduct is based upon directions being provided by department command. He’s been a good officer and he’s served honorably with LAPD for many, many years.”
Coblentz and Martinez could not be immediately reached Friday, nor could attorneys representing them.
Shaw, 37, faces more than 31 years behind bars; Coblentz, 42, faces more than seven years; and Martinez, 36, faces more than four years, prosecutors said. All are to be arraigned in October.
None of the officers remains on the street. One has been recommended for removal, though the department will not say which. Two have been suspended.
LAPD Chief Michel Moore said in a statement Friday that the officers’ alleged actions “tarnish the badge we all wear.”
“Public trust is the bedrock of community policing and these allegations shake that foundation,” he said.
Of the 21 additional officers who remain under investigation, five remain in the field. The others have been ordered home or placed on administrative duties.
The LAPD said it launched the investigation last year after a Van Nuys mother received a letter in early 2019 informing her that her son had been identified as a gang member. She believed her son was misidentified and reported it to a supervisor at a nearby police station. The supervisorreviewed body-worn camera footage and found inaccuracies by the officer. The department removed the woman’s son from the gang database.
The field interview cards have been used for decades to gather intelligence and create a database that officers can access to help with investigations. Information from the cards is also used to add names to the statewide CalGang database. Field interviews of gang members were used by the department as one measure of productivity, giving officers an incentive to make stops.
A Times analysis found the Metro Division used so-called field interview cards more than other parts of the department. The division made up about 4% of the force but accounted for more than 20% of the department’s field interview cards issued during a recent 18-month period, a Times analysis shows.
Last month, amid widespread protests over police abuses, Moore and Mayor Eric Garcetti announced the LAPD would stop submitting new entries into the CalGang database. Moore this week told the Police Commission that a months-long review found glaring inconsistencies and inaccuracies in how the LAPD used the database, and recommended it permanently halt its participation.
The decisions marked a concession to long-standing demands from activists who say the database and others like it are racist, built on biases and disproportionately and unfairly impact Black and brown Angelenos.
Melina Abdullah, a co-founder of Black Lives Matter — Los Angeles, said Friday that the charges against the officers are welcome, but they were a long time coming.
For years, the LAPD “refused to hear the cries of community members who have been saying that they were falsely being entered into gang databases,” Abdullah said. Only after activists spoke out and The Times wrote extensively on the issue did they change their tune, she said.
It also should not be the last case filed against officers in the matter, she said. “It’s more than three ‘bad apples,’” she said.
Abdullah and others, including civil rights activist Earl Ofari Hutchinson, said the latest charges also will not quiet criticisms of Lacey and her long record of not charging LAPD officers in shootings and other deadly encounters as she seeks reelection in November.
A Times investigation published last January showed that Metro officers stopped African American drivers at a rate more than five times their share of the city’s population. To combat a surge in violent crime, the LAPD doubled the size of the Metro Division in 2015, creating special units to swarm crime hot spots.
In response to The Times investigation, the LAPD announced last fall it would drastically cut back on stops of drivers encountered randomly. At the time, Moore said Metro’s vehicle stops had not proved effective, netting about one arrest for every 100 cars stopped, while coming at a tremendous cost to innocent drivers who felt they were being racially profiled. Officials said Metro crime suppression officers, who number about 200, would instead track down suspects wanted in violent offenses and use strategies other than vehicle stops to address flareups in crimes such as burglaries and shootings.
The LAPD also implemented new training on field cards for all Metro personnel, and increased audits of such stops.
On Friday, the board of directors for the Los Angeles Police Protective League, the union that represents officers, issued a statement saying that its “expectation is that any officer filling out a police report or field interview card does so with care and accuracy.”
“While we are not privy to all the facts that make up the District Attorney’s case, the LAPD’s national model on police accountability and rigorous internal investigative processes is on full display with regards to this incident,” the LAPPL board wrote. “It is our expectation that the Department will continue to investigate this matter fully in a fair and objective manner to determine the facts, ensure that officers are accorded their due process rights and any proven mischaracterizations are corrected.”
Garcetti, in his own statement Friday, said the officers’ alleged behavior “is reprehensible, and it undermines the courageous work that our officers do to keep Angelenos safe every day.”
Garcetti said any officers “found to have violated Angelenos’ trust should face serious consequences.”


latimes--2020-07-10--Half of California counties now on state watchlist as coronavirus infections surge

Half of California ’ s 58 counties are now on the state ’ s coronavirus watchlist as the number of infections , hospitalizations and deaths continue to approach unprecedented levels .
The state on Friday reported 7,798 new cases of COVID-19 .
On Thursday , California set a one-day record with 9,816 newly confirmed COVID-19 cases and 137 related deaths — the second highest total on a single day since the pandemic began , officials said .
Statewide , there have been more than 304,000 confirmed coronavirus infections and nearly 6,900 deaths .
Los Angeles County added 1,750 new cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ count above 125,000 .
Another 48 fatalities also were reported in the county .
Its total death toll is now just under 3,700 .
But the surge of new cases was fueled , in part , by Stanislaus County , which made a change to its reporting systems Thursday that resulted in the addition of nearly 1,400 cases that had not been previously tallied .
Even without those cases , though , California still would have seen one of its highest single-day counts to date .
In all , the state is now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disease transmission and/or increasing hospitalizations — up from 26 earlier in the week .
Among the latest additions is Placer County , which “ is experiencing increased hospitalizations and limited hospital capacity , ” according to the state .
Factors driving the spread of COVID-19 there , state officials said , “ include large households where staying away from others while ill is difficult , community and extended family gatherings and indoor work environments where physical distancing is difficult.
” If a county is on the monitoring list for at least three consecutive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to close bars and indoor dining in restaurants , as well as other indoor business operations , for at least three weeks .
The state ’ s watchlist also now includes Yuba and Sutter counties , which grabbed headlines in May when they began allowing some businesses to reopen in defiance of the statewide stay-at-home order .
In a video statement Wednesday , Yuba-Sutter Health Officer Dr. Phuong Luu said that , while the region was “ doing well just two months ago ” conditions have worsened because “ unfortunately , the community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We were overly confident that we crushed COVID-19 .
We never crushed it , ” she said .
“ We only flattened the curve .
But the curve never went fully away and now is roaring back with exponential growth in terms of new cases every day.
” The state has identified workplace transmissions and “ household clusters relating to friend and family gatherings ” as factors contributing to the spread of the disease in those counties .
However , officials said “ 40 % are unknown due to cases not able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exposure.
” “ It ’ s always going to be this dance — two steps forward , one step back — if we see worsening of the situation so that our fragile healthcare system is not decimated and doesn ’ t go into crisis , ” Luu said .
“ And this dance will continue until we have a vaccine.
” The full watchlist now includes counties from nearly every region of California : Colusa , Contra Costa , Fresno , Glenn , Imperial , Kern , Kings , Los Angeles , Madera @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Napa , Orange , Placer , Riverside , Sacramento , San Benito , San Bernardino , San Diego , San Joaquin , Santa Barbara , Solano , Stanislaus , Sutter , Tulare , Ventura , Yolo and Yuba .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom said Thursday that the state will continue to “ do more to monitor and work providing technical assistance ” for all the counties on the watchlist “ to make sure that their needs are met.
” “ Tulare County , Imperial County , L.A. County [ and ] Kings County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for our team as it relates to the current trajectory of the virus in those communities and current capacity to meet the needs in those counties , ” he said .
Amid troubling increases in infections and hospitalizations in the region , Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti warned this week that residents could again be ordered to stay home .
“ We know so much more about this disease today than we did in March when it first hit us , and that means we can make targeted interventions to stop the spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Wednesday .
“ But making sure we don ’ t have to go farther and close more businesses requires an individual commitment of each and every one of us.
” Since Memorial Day , hospitalizations of coronavirus patients have more than doubled in Orange , Riverside and Ventura counties , and more than tripled in San Bernardino County .
In the same period , hospitalizations have risen by 35 % in L.A. County and 28 % in San Diego County L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said Thursday that “ nothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic , ” but that she personally hopes “ we don ’ t have to go back there .
I hope that we figure out a way to take care of each other , to be sensible about what we ’ re doing.
” Times staff writers Ben Welsh , Hannah Fry and Rong-Gong Lin II contributed to this report .

People waiting to be tested for COVID-19 stand in line outside the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in South Los Angeles while on Wednesday.
Half of California’s 58 counties are now on the state’s coronavirus watchlist as the number of infections, hospitalizations and deaths continue to approach unprecedented levels.
The state reported 7,798 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday. On Thursday, California set a one-day record with 9,816 newly confirmed COVID-19 cases and 137 related deaths — the second-highest total on a single day since the pandemic began, officials said.
Statewide, there have been more than 304,000 confirmed coronavirus infections and nearly 6,900 deaths.
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Los Angeles County added 2,667 new cases on Friday alone, pushing its cumulative count above 127,000.
An additional 51 fatalities were reported by the county’s health department. Its total death toll is now just above 3,700.
But the surge of new cases in California on Thursday was fueled, in part, by Stanislaus County, which made a change to its reporting systems that resulted in the addition of nearly 1,400 cases that had not been previously tallied.
Even without those cases, though, California still would have seen one of its highest single-day counts to date.
In all, the state is now monitoring 29 counties that are seeing elevated disease transmission and/or increasing hospitalizations — up from 26 earlier in the week.
Among the latest additions is Placer County, which “is experiencing increased hospitalizations and limited hospital capacity,” according to the state.
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Factors driving the spread of COVID-19 there, state officials said, “include large households where staying away from others while ill is difficult, community and extended family gatherings, and indoor work environments where physical distancing is difficult.”
If a county is on the monitoring list for at least three consecutive days, the state will require it to close bars and indoor dining in restaurants, as well as other indoor business operations, for at least three weeks.
The state’s watchlist also now includes Yuba and Sutter counties, which grabbed headlines in May when they began allowing some businesses to reopen in defiance of the statewide stay-at-home order.
In a video statement Wednesday, Yuba-Sutter Health Officer Dr. Phuong Luu said that although the region was “doing well just two months ago,” conditions have worsened because “unfortunately the community became too lax, too complacent.”
“We were overly confident that we crushed COVID-19. We never crushed it,” she said. “We only flattened the curve. But the curve never went fully away and now is roaring back with exponential growth in terms of new cases every day.”
The state has identified workplace transmission and “household clusters relating to friend and family gatherings” as factors contributing to the spread of the disease in those counties. However, officials said “40% are unknown due to cases not able or not willing to provide source of exposure.”
“It’s always going to be this dance — two steps forward, one step back — if we see worsening of the situation so that our fragile healthcare system is not decimated and doesn’t go into crisis,” Luu said. “And this dance will continue until we have a vaccine.”
The full watchlist now includes counties from nearly every part of California: Colusa, Contra Costa, Fresno, Glenn, Imperial, Kern, Kings, Los Angeles, Madera, Marin, Merced, Monterey, Napa, Orange, Placer, Riverside, Sacramento, San Benito, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Joaquin, Santa Barbara, Solano, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tulare, Ventura, Yolo and Yuba.
Gov. Gavin Newsom said Thursday that the state will continue to “do more to monitor and work providing technical assistance” for all the counties on the watchlist “to make sure that their needs are met.”
“Tulare County, Imperial County, L.A. County [and] Kings County continue to be areas of disproportionate focus for our team as it relates to the current trajectory of the virus in those communities and current capacity to meet the needs in those counties,” he said.
Amid troubling increases in infections and hospitalizations in the region, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti warned several times this week that residents could again be ordered to stay home. During a news conference Friday, he reminded Angelenos that socializing and gathering with people outside their households is still not allowed.
“We’re not back to a safer-at-home order, but we all need to do our part to minimize the spread of COVID-19,” he said.
Twenty thousand people were tested at city and county testing sites on Friday, Garcetti said. To meet surging demand, city testing capacity will increase by 25% next week. More than 1 million people have been tested by the city and county, he said.
Since Memorial Day, hospitalizations of coronavirus patients have more than doubled in Orange, Riverside and Ventura counties, and more than tripled in San Bernardino County. In the same period, hospitalizations have risen by 35% in L.A. County and 28% in San Diego County.
L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said Thursday that “nothing can be off the table in the pandemic” but that she personally hopes “we don’t have to go back there. I hope that we figure out a way to take care of each other, to be sensible about what we’re doing.”
Times staff writers Ben Welsh, Hannah Fry, Leila Miller, and Rong-Gong Lin II contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-07-10--Coroner: Andres Guardado was shot 5 times in the back. Sheriff condemns disclosure

The Los Angeles County coroner ’ s office has determined that Andres Guardado , the 18-year-old killed by a Los Angeles County sheriff ’ s deputy last month in Gardena , was shot five times in the back , according to the official autopsy report , released Friday .
All five gunshot wounds were fatal , the report said .
The cause of death was certified on July 7 as multiple gunshot wounds , and the manner of death was certified as homicide , the coroner ’ s office said .
The coroner ’ s office released the document despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place by the Sheriff ’ s Department , after the family ’ s attorneys earlier this week released the results of an independent autopsy that drew the same conclusion .
“ I have given careful consideration to the major variables in this case — supporting the administration of justice , as well as the public ’ s right to know , ” Chief Medical Examiner-Coroner Dr. Jonathan Lucas said in a statement .
“ I do not believe that these are mutually exclusive ideals .
Both are important , particularly amid the ongoing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ civil rights .
I believe that government can do its part by being more timely and more transparent in sharing information that the public demands and has a right to see.
” There had been growing demands for answers by activists and Guardado ’ s family , who called the shooting unjustified .
The Guardado family attorneys said the independent findings showed that Guardado ’ s death was “ the result of unjustified police violence against an innocent young man ” and called on the Sheriff ’ s Department to release the coroner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commended the coroner ’ s disclosure in a statement Friday and called it “ deeply troubling ” that the Office of Inspector General , which provides oversight of the Sheriff ’ s Department , has still not received documents related to the investigation .
“ I commend the coroner for upholding the autonomy and integrity of his office by releasing the autopsy report of Andres Guardado , despite attempts to block its release , ” Ridley-Thomas said .
“ The community deserves to know the facts .
This is a matter of public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement , Sheriff Alex Villanueva blasted what he called an “ unprecedented ” disclosure , saying it has “ the potential to jeopardize the investigation , the filing of the case and any possible future criminal or administrative proceedings ” and would force the Sheriff ’ s Department to use court orders to enforce security holds that exist to prevent tainting witness interviews .
“ Dr .
Lucas has acknowledged succumbing to pressure from the Board of Supervisors and the Office of Inspector General and has now made the astonishing admission that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bid to satisfy public curiosity , ” Villanueva said .
He also criticized Ridley-Thomas for praising the coroner ’ s move .
“ Supervisor Ridley Thomas lauded the coroner ’ s efforts , unwittingly demonstrating a poor grasp of both the investigative responsibilities of the Sheriff ’ s Department and the lack of authority the politically appointed inspector has to interfere with and jeopardize the integrity of criminal investigations , ” Villanueva said .
“ As sheriff of Los Angeles County , I find it deeply troubling that an elected supervisor would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bully the coroner and sow mistrust of law enforcement in the community.
” The Sheriff ’ s Department has said that Guardado was shot and killed around 6 p.m. on June 18 , after two deputies saw him speaking to someone in a car blocking the entrance to an auto body shop on West Redondo Beach Boulevard .
Investigators said Guardado “ produced a handgun ” and ran away , and deputies chased him .
When deputies reached him , one fired .
The two deputies involved have been , who opened fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not shoot .
Both deputies work out of the Compton station .
Their duty assignments following the shooting are unclear .
Their attorneys have told The Times that the shooting was justified .
In a statement Wednesday , Vega ’ s attorney Adam L. Marangell gave his client ’ s account of the incident .
He said Vega gave multiple commands for Guardado to stop during the chase , during which Guardado pulled out the gun .
He said Guardado then obeyed commands to stop , turned around and raised both hands while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place the firearm on the ground , which he did , Marangell said .
Guardado then positioned himself face-down on the ground , but the gun was near his right hand , Marangell said .
Vega holstered his weapon and began approaching Guardado to cuff him , saying , “ Don ’ t reach for the gun , ” Marangell said .
He said that ’ s when Guardado reached for the gun , and Vega opened fire .
“ The reported independent autopsy ’ s findings do not alter in any way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ properly and lawfully , ” Marangell said in the statement .

The Los Angeles County coroner’s office has determined that Andres Guardado, the 18-year-old killed by a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy last month in Gardena, was shot five times in the back, according to the official autopsy report, released Friday.
All five gunshot wounds were fatal, the report said. The cause of death was certified on July 7 as multiple gunshot wounds, and the manner of death was certified as homicide, the coroner’s office said.
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The coroner’s office released the document despite a “security hold” put in place by the Sheriff’s Department, after the family’s attorneys earlier this week released the results of an independent autopsy that drew the same conclusion.
“I have given careful consideration to the major variables in this case — supporting the administration of justice, as well as the public’s right to know,” Chief Medical Examiner-Coroner Dr. Jonathan Lucas said in a statement. “I do not believe that these are mutually exclusive ideals. Both are important, particularly amid the ongoing national discussion about race, policing and civil rights. I believe that government can do its part by being more timely and more transparent in sharing information that the public demands and has a right to see.”
There had been growing demands for answers by activists and Guardado’s family, who called the shooting unjustified. The Guardado family attorneys said the independent findings showed that Guardado’s death was “the result of unjustified police violence against an innocent young man” and called on the Sheriff’s Department to release the coroner’s report.
Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas commended the coroner’s disclosure in a statement Friday and called it “deeply troubling” that the Office of Inspector General, which provides oversight of the Sheriff’s Department, has still not received documents related to the investigation.
“I commend the coroner for upholding the autonomy and integrity of his office by releasing the autopsy report of Andres Guardado, despite attempts to block its release,” Ridley-Thomas said. “The community deserves to know the facts. This is a matter of public interest and public trust.”
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In a statement, Sheriff Alex Villanueva blasted what he called an “unprecedented” disclosure, saying it has “the potential to jeopardize the investigation, the filing of the case and any possible future criminal or administrative proceedings” and would force the Sheriff’s Department to use court orders to enforce security holds that exist to prevent tainting witness interviews.
“Dr. Lucas has acknowledged succumbing to pressure from the Board of Supervisors and the Office of Inspector General and has now made the astonishing admission that he sacrificed the integrity of the investigation in a bid to satisfy public curiosity,” Villanueva said.
He also criticized Ridley-Thomas for praising the coroner’s move.
“Supervisor Ridley Thomas lauded the coroner’s efforts, unwittingly demonstrating a poor grasp of both the investigative responsibilities of the Sheriff’s Department and the lack of authority the politically appointed inspector has to interfere with and jeopardize the integrity of criminal investigations,” Villanueva said. “As sheriff of Los Angeles County, I find it deeply troubling that an elected supervisor would use the authority of his office to bully the coroner and sow mistrust of law enforcement in the community.”
The Sheriff’s Department has said that Guardado was shot and killed around 6 p.m. on June 18, after two deputies saw him speaking to someone in a car blocking the entrance to an auto body shop on West Redondo Beach Boulevard. Investigators said Guardado “produced a handgun” and ran away, and deputies chased him. When deputies reached him, one fired.
The two deputies involved have been identified as Miguel Vega , who opened fire, and Chris Hernandez, who did not shoot. Both deputies work out of the Compton station. Their duty assignments following the shooting are unclear.
Their attorneys have told The Times that the shooting was justified.
In a statement Wednesday, Vega’s attorney Adam L. Marangell gave his client’s account of the incident. He said Vega gave multiple commands for Guardado to stop during the chase, during which Guardado pulled out the gun. He said Guardado then obeyed commands to stop, turned around and raised both hands while still armed.
Guardado was ordered to place the firearm on the ground, which he did, Marangell said. Guardado then positioned himself face-down on the ground, but the gun was near his right hand, Marangell said.
Vega holstered his weapon and began approaching Guardado to cuff him, saying, “Don’t reach for the gun,” Marangell said. He said that’s when Guardado reached for the gun, and Vega opened fire.
“The reported independent autopsy’s findings do not alter in any way the ultimate fact that Deputy Vega acted properly and lawfully,” Marangell said in the statement.


latimes--2020-07-10--Search for Naya Rivera, presumed drowned in Lake Piru, enters third day

Authorities descended on the waters of Lake Piru just after sunrise Friday as the search for the body of actress Naya Rivera , who authorities say likely drowned while boating with her young son , stretches into a third day .
The 33-year-old was reported missing Wednesday afternoon after her 4-year-old son was found in a rental boat by himself .
While authorities focused their initial search along the shoreline , hopeful she had made it out of the lake , Thursday became a recovery effort in the dark , murky waters of Lake Piru .
Search teams raced to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when winds and lack of light would have complicated their undertaking .
On Friday morning , search teams from Ventura , Los Angeles and Tulare counties continued to use sonar to scan the bottom of the lake where visibility in the best of conditions is only about 2-feet , said Ventura County Sheriff ’ s Office Capt .
Eric Buschow .
“ They ’ re scanning the bottom of the lake for something that would indicate the shape of a body , ” Buschow said .
“ When they find something then they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ efforts have been focused on the north side of the lake , where the boy was found .
But officials are also considering the boat may have drifted for a time across the roughly 2-mile long lake before it was located .
About 40 personnel were assisting in the search early in the day , but that number is expected to grow by the afternoon .
Officials said the search of the lake could take up to a week .
Rivera is best known for her role as Santana on Fox ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ native gained praise for her performance as a gay cheerleader in the high school musical drama .
Video footage released by the Ventura County Sheriff ’ s Office showed the actress and her son boarding the rental boat alone Wednesday afternoon .
Rivera parked near Condor Point and got out of her car , the video shows , walking around to the passenger side to lift her son out .
Wearing shorts and a baseball cap , she opened her trunk , swung a bag over her shoulder and walked toward the boat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , watching her little boy as he trailed steps behind her , his own bag in tow .
The mother and son were guided by staff to their rental boat , and about 1 p.m. , they departed onto the lake .
The pontoon boat soon became a spot on the lake ’ s horizon .
Hours later , the staff noticed she hadn ’ t returned her boat on time and went out to search for her .
At 4:47 p.m. , a woman told 911 dispatchers , “ We have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ girl in one of the boats by herself and her mom is nowhere to be found.
” Sheriff ’ s officials later learned that Rivera and her son were swimming together in the lake .
The boy was able to get back on the boat , but his mother did not .
He was found sleeping on the boat by himself , wearing his life vest .
After speaking with the boy , deputies determined he was the last to see his mother , but couldn ’ t determine whether he saw her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ popular recreation area in the Los Padres National Forest near Fillmore .
A Times article in 2000 chronicled a string of drownings at the reservoir , saying most victims were inexperienced swimmers who were not wearing life jackets and overestimated their own abilities or swam in prohibited areas .
At the time , officials said the drowning numbers were no higher than at other lakes in the region .
No one has drowned in the lake since 2010 , according to sheriff ’ s officials .
While Lake Piru isn ’ t more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Wednesday afternoon might have made it more challenging for Rivera to hoist herself back onto the pontoon boat , which sits high on the water , after swimming with her son .
There ’ s also a chance the choppy waters may have jostled the boat , causing it to knock her unconscious , Buschow said .
Officials said the water , which can be up to 130 feet deep , has tall underwater vegetation that could entangle swimmers .
“ All indicators are this was a tragic accident , ” Buschow @ @

Jake Sheridan, Alejandra Reyes-Velarde, Hannah Fry

Authorities descended on the waters of Lake Piru just after sunrise Friday as the search for the body of actress Naya Rivera, who authorities say likely drowned while boating with her young son, stretches into a third day.
The 33-year-old was reported missing Wednesday afternoon after her 4-year-old son was found in a rental boat by himself. While authorities focused their initial search along the shoreline, hopeful she had made it out of the lake, Thursday became a recovery effort in the dark, murky waters of Lake Piru.
Search teams raced to scour the lake Thursday before nightfall, when winds and lack of light would have complicated their undertaking. On Friday morning, search teams from Ventura, Los Angeles and Tulare counties continued to use sonar to scan the bottom of the lake where visibility in the best of conditions is only about 2-feet, said Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Eric Buschow.
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“They’re scanning the bottom of the lake for something that would indicate the shape of a body,” Buschow said. “When they find something then they send divers down to verify.”
Authorities’ efforts have been focused on the north side of the lake, where the boy was found. But officials are also considering the boat may have drifted for a time across the roughly 2-mile long lake before it was located.
About 40 personnel were assisting in the search early in the day, but that number is expected to grow by the afternoon. Officials said the search of the lake could take up to a week.
Rivera is best known for her role as Santana on Fox’s “Glee.” The Santa Clarita native gained praise for her performance as a gay cheerleader in the high school musical drama.
Video footage released by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office showed the actress and her son boarding the rental boat alone Wednesday afternoon.
Rivera parked near Condor Point and got out of her car, the video shows, walking around to the passenger side to lift her son out. Wearing shorts and a baseball cap, she opened her trunk, swung a bag over her shoulder and walked toward the boat ramp. Rivera looked over her shoulder, watching her little boy as he trailed steps behind her, his own bag in tow.
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The mother and son were guided by staff to their rental boat, and about 1 p.m., they departed onto the lake. The pontoon boat soon became a spot on the lake’s horizon.
Hours later, the staff noticed she hadn’t returned her boat on time and went out to search for her. At 4:47 p.m., a woman told 911 dispatchers, “We have a missing person. We found a little girl in one of the boats by herself and her mom is nowhere to be found.”
Sheriff’s officials later learned that Rivera and her son were swimming together in the lake. The boy was able to get back on the boat, but his mother did not. He was found sleeping on the boat by himself, wearing his life vest. After speaking with the boy, deputies determined he was the last to see his mother, but couldn’t determine whether he saw her go underwater.
Lake Piru is a popular recreation area in the Los Padres National Forest near Fillmore. A Times article in 2000 chronicled a string of drownings at the reservoir, saying most victims were inexperienced swimmers who were not wearing life jackets and overestimated their own abilities or swam in prohibited areas.
At the time, officials said the drowning numbers were no higher than at other lakes in the region. No one has drowned in the lake since 2010, according to sheriff’s officials.
While Lake Piru isn’t more dangerous than other lakes, windy conditions on Wednesday afternoon might have made it more challenging for Rivera to hoist herself back onto the pontoon boat, which sits high on the water, after swimming with her son. There’s also a chance the choppy waters may have jostled the boat, causing it to knock her unconscious, Buschow said.
Officials said the water, which can be up to 130 feet deep, has tall underwater vegetation that could entangle swimmers.
“All indicators are this was a tragic accident,” Buschow said.


latimes--2020-07-11--Questionable tactics by deputies in Andres Guardado killing put pressure on sheriff

Andres Guardado had surrendered and was lying facedown on the ground when a Los Angeles County sheriff ’ s deputy who had been chasing him down a driveway holstered his weapon and approached the 18-year-old to put him in handcuffs , the deputy would recount .
Suddenly , according to this account , Guardado reached for the gun he ’ d moments before agreed to drop , which was still on the ground above his right hand , prompting the deputy to redraw his weapon .
The deputy fired six rounds , five of which struck the teenager in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Deputy Miguel Vega , provided to The Times through his attorney , raises fresh questions about the tactics used during yet another deadly police encounter that has garnered national attention and prompted large demonstrations by activists and Guardado ’ s relatives , who called the shooting unjustified .
Experts questioned several aspects of the incident , including what kind of cover Vega had from his partner and why Vega didn ’ t first secure the weapon or order Guardado to move away from it .
“ If that individual is able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you holstering your weapon ?
Unless your cover officer is there in a position to protect you , ” said Ed Obayashi , a Plumas County deputy sheriff and national expert in use of force .
“ That is officer safety 101.
” Law enforcement tactics , especially the use of deadly force , are under intense scrutiny after a string of high-profile killings at the hands of police , including the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd , who was pinned to the ground by his neck in an episode @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are increasingly proposing measures to limit when police can use deadly force .
Some police agencies have also been trying to hold officers more accountable for their actions when using force , including questioning whether unsound tactics contributed to the violence .
The Los Angeles Police Department , for example , now evaluates officers on whether they could have resolved an encounter without firing their weapons .
In California , Assembly Bill 392 created what some described as one of the toughest standards in the nation for when law enforcement officers can kill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only when “ necessary , ” instead of when “ reasonable.
” The law — pushed in the wake of the 2018 police shooting death of Stephon Clark — also prohibits police from firing on fleeing felons who don ’ t pose an immediate danger , an update from California ’ s original code , which dates back to 1872 .
Clark was shot at 20 times by two Sacramento police officers who said he was holding what they thought was a firearm .
Only a cellphone was found at the scene .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ questions about whether the deputies ’ tactics in the Guardado case conformed to department standards .
Adam L. Marangell , an attorney representing Vega , said an analysis of his client ’ s tactics is best reserved for the administrative investigation conducted by the department ’ s internal affairs bureau after the homicide investigation concludes .
Vega is scheduled to provide an interview to investigators on Monday , he said .
“ I do believe Deputy Vega acted in accordance with policy and in the safest possible manner given the dynamic situation he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a “ security hold ” invoked by the Sheriff ’ s Department , the coroner ’ s office Friday released Guardado ’ s autopsy report , confirming that the 18-year-old was shot five times in the back .
Attorneys for the Guardado family earlier this week released the results of an independent autopsy that drew the same conclusion .
“ I have given careful consideration to the major variables in this case — supporting the administration of justice , as well as the public ’ s right to know , ” Chief Medical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement .
“ I do not believe that these are mutually exclusive ideals .
Both are important , particularly amid the ongoing national discussion about race , policing and civil rights .
I believe that government can do its part by being more timely and more transparent in sharing information that the public demands and has a right to see.
” Villanueva blasted the disclosure , saying it has “ the potential to jeopardize the investigation , the filing of the case and any possible future criminal or administrative proceedings ” and would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use court orders to enforce security holds that exist to prevent tainting witness interviews .
“ Dr .
Lucas has acknowledged succumbing to pressure from the Board of Supervisors and the Office of Inspector General and has now made the astonishing admission that he sacrificed the integrity of the investigation in a bid to satisfy public curiosity , ” Villanueva said in a statement .
The encounter began just before 6 p.m. on June 18 , when Vega and his partner , Christopher Hernandez , saw Guardado speaking to someone in a car @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shop on West Redondo Beach Boulevard , the Sheriff ’ s Department has said .
Investigators said Guardado looked toward the deputies , “ produced a handgun ” and ran away .
The deputies gave chase , and when they caught up , Vega fired .
Tom Yu , an attorney representing Hernandez , said his client saw a gun in Guardado ’ s waistband and , at some point during the chase , the 18-year-old pulled it out .
Yu said his client saw Guardado turn a corner and begin to lie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heard Vega order Guardado to drop the gun .
Then Hernandez heard gunfire , Yu said .
At that point , Hernandez had only a partial view of Guardado , Yu said .
Yu said Friday that it was unfair for experts “ to second-guess what these deputies were doing in a split-second-decision situation.
” Marangell said Vega gave multiple commands to Guardado to stop during the chase , during which Guardado pulled out the gun .
He said Guardado then obeyed commands to stop , turned around and raised both hands , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to place the firearm on the ground , which he did , Marangell said .
Guardado then positioned himself facedown on the ground , but the gun was near his right hand , Marangell said .
As Vega approached with his weapon holstered , he told Guardado : “ Don ’ t reach for the gun , ” Marangell said .
That ’ s when Guardado tried to grab the gun , he said .
Obayashi said shooting someone in the back or using bad tactics does not necessarily mean the force was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away while firing at officers behind him , or could have been spun around by the impact of the gunfire in the middle of a shooting .
“ In this case , the deputy fired ... his weapon knowing that he was aiming at the subject ’ s back , ” Obayashi said .
“ That is unusual.
” “ There ’ s going to be a lot of questions , based on what I ’ m reading , on tactics , ” he added .
“ Did it have to wind up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a former L.A. County Sheriff ’ s Department commander and chairman of strategy and development for the National Tactical Officers Assn.
, said he was troubled by Vega ’ s description of Guardado ’ s behavior in the seconds before his death .
“ Up until now , everything you ’ ve described is in compliance .
It doesn ’ t make sense , from a strictly logical standpoint , that something occurred to cause the defendant , the suspect , to break character .
He ’ s out of character , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s going to decide to fight , why put himself in such a position ?
At such a disadvantage ?
” Heal said that while the public often panics at word of a suspect being shot in the back , law enforcement officers are trained to fire at whatever target presents itself in a deadly force situation .
But Heal also questioned why deputies ordered the suspect to lay prone near the weapon he had just surrendered .
Questions about the validity of Vega ’ s statement , as well as whether Guardado @ @ @ @ @ @ @ caused the deputies to fear for their lives , will likely persist no matter the outcome of the investigation , because the Sheriff ’ s Department has yet to issue body-worn cameras to its deputies .
Investigators said they have not recovered any video footage of the shooting .
“ There ’ s just a lot of loose ends here , ” said Heal , who has long been critical of the department ’ s failure to outfit deputies with cameras .
“ We could look at the body footage and find out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s not definitive , but it ’ s certainly convincing.
” The Sheriff ’ s Department has said it will begin rolling out use of body cameras in October .
Eugene O ’ Donnell , a former police officer and prosecutor in New York City who now teaches at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice , disputed the notion that Guardado ’ s alleged lack of compliance after first following orders was unusual , arguing that his surrender would not have been completed until he was handcuffed .
“ That is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s not over until it ’ s over , ” O ’ Donnell said of Vega ’ s actions while approaching Guardado .
“ That could be the most dangerous time.
” He also said it was not abnormal for Vega to fire when his partner did not .
“ The blunt reality of policing is , if you send two officers to a call , one set of officers might shoot , and a different set of officers might not , ” O ’ Donnell said .
“ You can ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the cops are frankly afraid to shoot at this point.
” Poor tactics prior to a shooting are rarely enough to lead to criminal charges .
In 2016 , the Los Angeles County district attorney ’ s office declined to prosecute Long Beach Police Officer Jeffrey Meyer for sticking his gun through a window and fatally shooting 19-year-old Hector Morejon , who was unarmed .
Meyer was responding to a trespassing call and , instead of waiting for a building employee to obtain a key for the apartment he was investigating , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and failed to identify himself as an officer before pointing his weapon through a window .
He shot Morejon in the back , believing he was armed , but no weapon was recovered .
Prosecutors determined that Meyer ’ s “ tactical deficiencies were a substantial , if not the primary cause ” for Morejon ’ s death but said those failings did not rise to the level of criminal conduct since they had no independent evidence to counter Meyer ’ s narrative of the shooting .

Georgena Laird grieves for Andres Guardado, who was fatally shot by a sheriff’s deputy in Gardena, near where she lives in her RV. Laird is still emotional from viewing the events around the killing.
Andres Guardado had surrendered and was lying facedown on the ground when a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy who had been chasing him down a driveway holstered his weapon and approached the 18-year-old to put him in handcuffs, the deputy would recount.
Suddenly, according to this account, Guardado reached for the gun he’d moments before agreed to drop, which was still on the ground above his right hand, prompting the deputy to redraw his weapon. The deputy fired six rounds, five of which struck the teenager in the back, killing him.
The narrative of Deputy Miguel Vega, provided to The Times through his attorney, raises fresh questions about the tactics used during yet another deadly police encounter that has garnered national attention and prompted large demonstrations by activists and Guardado’s relatives, who called the shooting unjustified.
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Experts questioned several aspects of the incident, including what kind of cover Vega had from his partner and why Vega didn’t first secure the weapon or order Guardado to move away from it.
“If that individual is able to reach for the gun, why are you holstering your weapon? Unless your cover officer is there in a position to protect you,” said Ed Obayashi, a Plumas County deputy sheriff and national expert in use of force. “That is officer safety 101.”
Law enforcement tactics, especially the use of deadly force, are under intense scrutiny after a string of high-profile killings at the hands of police, including the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd, who was pinned to the ground by his neck in an episode that has sparked nationwide unrest. Lawmakers are increasingly proposing measures to limit when police can use deadly force.
Some police agencies have also been trying to hold officers more accountable for their actions when using force, including questioning whether unsound tactics contributed to the violence. The Los Angeles Police Department, for example, now evaluates officers on whether they could have resolved an encounter without firing their weapons.
In California, Assembly Bill 392 created what some described as one of the toughest standards in the nation for when law enforcement officers can kill, requiring that deadly force be used only when “necessary,” instead of when “reasonable.” The law — pushed in the wake of the 2018 police shooting death of Stephon Clark — also prohibits police from firing on fleeing felons who don’t pose an immediate danger, an update from California’s original code, which dates back to 1872.
Clark was shot at 20 times by two Sacramento police officers who said he was holding what they thought was a firearm. Only a cellphone was found at the scene.
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Sheriff Alex Villanueva did not respond to questions about whether the deputies’ tactics in the Guardado case conformed to department standards.
Adam L. Marangell, an attorney representing Vega, said an analysis of his client’s tactics is best reserved for the administrative investigation conducted by the department’s internal affairs bureau after the homicide investigation concludes. Vega is scheduled to provide an interview to investigators on Monday, he said.
“I do believe Deputy Vega acted in accordance with policy and in the safest possible manner given the dynamic situation he faced,” Marangell said.
Disregarding a “security hold” invoked by the Sheriff’s Department, the coroner’s office Friday released Guardado’s autopsy report, confirming that the 18-year-old was shot five times in the back. Attorneys for the Guardado family earlier this week released the results of an independent autopsy that drew the same conclusion.
“I have given careful consideration to the major variables in this case — supporting the administration of justice, as well as the public’s right to know,” Chief Medical Examiner-Coroner Dr. Jonathan Lucas said in a statement. “I do not believe that these are mutually exclusive ideals. Both are important, particularly amid the ongoing national discussion about race, policing and civil rights. I believe that government can do its part by being more timely and more transparent in sharing information that the public demands and has a right to see.”
Villanueva blasted the disclosure, saying it has “the potential to jeopardize the investigation, the filing of the case and any possible future criminal or administrative proceedings” and would force the Sheriff’s Department to use court orders to enforce security holds that exist to prevent tainting witness interviews.
“Dr. Lucas has acknowledged succumbing to pressure from the Board of Supervisors and the Office of Inspector General and has now made the astonishing admission that he sacrificed the integrity of the investigation in a bid to satisfy public curiosity,” Villanueva said in a statement.
The encounter began just before 6 p.m. on June 18, when Vega and his partner, Christopher Hernandez, saw Guardado speaking to someone in a car blocking the entrance to an auto body shop on West Redondo Beach Boulevard, the Sheriff’s Department has said.
Investigators said Guardado looked toward the deputies, “produced a handgun” and ran away. The deputies gave chase, and when they caught up, Vega fired.
Tom Yu, an attorney representing Hernandez, said his client saw a gun in Guardado’s waistband and, at some point during the chase, the 18-year-old pulled it out. Yu said his client saw Guardado turn a corner and begin to lie on the ground, when the deputy heard Vega order Guardado to drop the gun. Then Hernandez heard gunfire, Yu said.
At that point, Hernandez had only a partial view of Guardado, Yu said.
Yu said Friday that it was unfair for experts “to second-guess what these deputies were doing in a split-second-decision situation.”
Marangell said Vega gave multiple commands to Guardado to stop during the chase, during which Guardado pulled out the gun. He said Guardado then obeyed commands to stop, turned around and raised both hands, while still armed.
Guardado was ordered to place the firearm on the ground, which he did, Marangell said. Guardado then positioned himself facedown on the ground, but the gun was near his right hand, Marangell said.
As Vega approached with his weapon holstered, he told Guardado: “Don’t reach for the gun,” Marangell said. That’s when Guardado tried to grab the gun, he said.
Obayashi said shooting someone in the back or using bad tactics does not necessarily mean the force was unjustified. A suspect could be running away while firing at officers behind him, or could have been spun around by the impact of the gunfire in the middle of a shooting.
“In this case, the deputy fired ... his weapon knowing that he was aiming at the subject’s back,” Obayashi said. “That is unusual.”
“There’s going to be a lot of questions, based on what I’m reading, on tactics,” he added. “Did it have to wind up this way?”
Sid Heal, a former L.A. County Sheriff’s Department commander and chairman of strategy and development for the National Tactical Officers Assn., said he was troubled by Vega’s description of Guardado’s behavior in the seconds before his death.
“Up until now, everything you’ve described is in compliance. It doesn’t make sense, from a strictly logical standpoint, that something occurred to cause the defendant, the suspect, to break character. He’s out of character,” Heal said. “If he’s going to decide to fight, why put himself in such a position? At such a disadvantage?”
Heal said that while the public often panics at word of a suspect being shot in the back, law enforcement officers are trained to fire at whatever target presents itself in a deadly force situation. But Heal also questioned why deputies ordered the suspect to lay prone near the weapon he had just surrendered.
Questions about the validity of Vega’s statement, as well as whether Guardado behaved in a way that might have caused the deputies to fear for their lives, will likely persist no matter the outcome of the investigation, because the Sheriff’s Department has yet to issue body-worn cameras to its deputies. Investigators said they have not recovered any video footage of the shooting.
“There’s just a lot of loose ends here,” said Heal, who has long been critical of the department’s failure to outfit deputies with cameras. “We could look at the body footage and find out what was going on. It’s not definitive, but it’s certainly convincing.”
The Sheriff’s Department has said it will begin rolling out use of body cameras in October.
Eugene O’Donnell, a former police officer and prosecutor in New York City who now teaches at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, disputed the notion that Guardado’s alleged lack of compliance after first following orders was unusual, arguing that his surrender would not have been completed until he was handcuffed.
“That is a huge piece of police work that it’s not over until it’s over,” O’Donnell said of Vega’s actions while approaching Guardado. “That could be the most dangerous time.”
He also said it was not abnormal for Vega to fire when his partner did not.
“The blunt reality of policing is, if you send two officers to a call, one set of officers might shoot, and a different set of officers might not,” O’Donnell said. “You can’t over read it, because some of the cops are frankly afraid to shoot at this point.”
Poor tactics prior to a shooting are rarely enough to lead to criminal charges. In 2016, the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office declined to prosecute Long Beach Police Officer Jeffrey Meyer for sticking his gun through a window and fatally shooting 19-year-old Hector Morejon, who was unarmed.
Meyer was responding to a trespassing call and, instead of waiting for a building employee to obtain a key for the apartment he was investigating, walked down an alley without his partner and failed to identify himself as an officer before pointing his weapon through a window. He shot Morejon in the back, believing he was armed, but no weapon was recovered.
Prosecutors determined that Meyer’s “tactical deficiencies were a substantial, if not the primary cause” for Morejon’s death but said those failings did not rise to the level of criminal conduct since they had no independent evidence to counter Meyer’s narrative of the shooting.