The attorney also alluded to the recent deaths of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd by police. He emphasized that law enforcement had an obligation to protect and serve citizens of all colors.

“As recent events have reminded us, for far too long, we’ve seen the failure of our legal system to hold police accountable for violence committed against the very members of the public that they have sworn to serve and protect,” Boudin said.

“We are here to enforce laws equally, no matter what the color of your skin, no matter how much money you have in your bank, and no matter your job title or whether you wear a uniform to work,” he continued.

An impassioned Boudin, who said that police were not untouchable, also admitted that the city’s sordid history between civilians and law enforcement needed an overhaul.

“In San Francisco, there has been a long history of officer-involved shootings leading to no accountability whatsoever, further cementing the idea that police are above the law,” Boudin said. “That stops today.”

Samayoa was charged with voluntary manslaughter, assault by an executive officer, involuntary manslaughter, assault with a semi-automatic firearm and negligent discharge of a gun.

According to SFBayCa.com, Samayoa shot and killed O’Neil after he and a commanding training officer pursued the man after a suspected carjacking on Dec. 1, 2017.

Video footage released from the San Francisco Police Department showed O'Neil jumping out of a minivan and running past the officers. Samayoa took aim at the running man through a glass window from the patrol car’s passenger seat, shot his weapon without provocation, and O’Neil fell to the ground.

Christopher Samayao

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