In a tense summer marked by a number of police shootings of African American men, the live-streamed aftermath of the Philando Castile's shooting during a routine traffic stop by officers in Falcon Heights, MN heightened tensions and devastated many in the black community. Jeronimo Yanez, the officer who shot Castile seven times in front of his girlfriend and her young daughter, is charged with manslaughter. Attorney's for Yanez are now asking that his charges be dismissed, claiming that Castile was high on marijuana while driving and did not obey the officer's commands, and was, therefore, negligent in his own death.
In court documents obtained by the Associated Press, Attorney Earl Gray argued that Officer Yanez acted in self-defense and that Castile never told Yanez he had a permit to carry. Gray wrote that the squad car video confirms the officer's claim of self-defense.
"He should not even have been driving while under the influence. He should have shown his hands. He should not have reached for the handgun," Gray wrote.
The attorney also said that the autopsy report showing high levels of THC in Castile's blood explains why he didn't follow directions, stared straight ahead and did not show his hands.
Gray wrote, "How could it be that Officer Yanez knew or could have known that when Mr. Castile reached for his gun, he would not shoot a police officer dead?"
Glenda Hatchett, attorney for the Castile family, said that the charge of manslaughter speaks for itself and declined to comment further on the defense attorney's claim. On Thursday, the Department of Justice's Office of Community Oriented Policing Services will announce details about a review of the St. Anthony Police Department that provides services for the Falcon Heights suburb where Castile's killing took place. Results of this report are expected to be released in January.
