Humberto Martinez (2017)
Overview
On July 26, 2016, Pittsburg California Police Department officers Ernesto Mejia-Orozco, Jason Waite, and Willie Glasper attempted to stop Martinez's vehicle for an expired registration. Martinez drove for about a minute before he exited the vehicle and ran towards a friend's house. The officers pursued, Mejia-Orozco deployed his Taser, and Martinez ran into a garage. Officers attempted to detain Martinez. Martinez ran into the house, where Mejia-Orozco and Glasper tackled him. Mejia-Orozco put Martinez in a chokehold and hit him in the face as he resisted. Glasper hit Martinez in the torso, and also struck him with his knee and elbow.[1]
Waite and officers Gabriel Palma, Jonathan Elmore, and Patrick Berhan entered the house. Berhan deployed his Taser. Elmore punched Martinez several timed and struck him with his knee. Officers handcuffed Martinez, and 4 officers held him down for several minutes.[1]
Martinez turned blue and was unresponsive. Officers rendered aid until paramedics arrived. Martinez died at the hospital.[1][2]
The incident was captured on body-worn camera.[1]
In June 2020, the department banned officers from using a carotid hold on suspects.[3]
The county District Attorney opened an investigation.[1]
The agency opened an investigation.[1]
The coroner empaneled an inquest jury.[1]
The county District Attorney found no wrongdoing by the officers in the incident.[1]
The agency found no wrongdoing by the officers in the incident.[1]
The coroner's inquest jury found no wrongdoing by the officers in the incident.[1]
On July 26, 2017, Martinez's family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city.[1]
In 2020, the city agreed to settle the family's lawsuit for $7.3 million.[3]
Officers Involved
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 Don Clyde, Family Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Pittsburg Police Department, KQED, 2017-06-26
- ↑ Protocol Report, Contra Costa County District Attorney, 2016-08-02
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Pittsburg agrees to pay over $7M to family of man killed by police with controversial neck hold, KTVU, 2020-10-28
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