June 20, 2013

By Xavier Higgs

LAWT Contributing Writer

 

Anya Slaughter, mother of slain teenager Kendrec McDade, on Tuesday expressed frustration that the two police officers who fatally shot her unarmed son in March 2012 haven’t faced significant punishment.

She spoke out just one day after, Carrillo-Gonzalez, the man who sparked the incident with a false 9-1-1 call was sentenced to 90 days. 

During a press conference in front of Pasadena City Hall, Ms. Slaughter refused to comment about Mr. Carrillo but added her focus is on the prosecution of the two Pasadena police officers.

A tearful Ms. Slaughter said “My son did not deserve to be shot down.”  “They took my son’s life when they could have just arrested him.”

According to Attorney Dale Galipo, who represents Ms. Slaughter, Mr. Carrillo’s 90-day sentence was not unreasonable.

“Mr. Carrillo was wrong but it does not excuse the police for shooting an unarmed man,” says Galipo.

In a written statement Pasadena City Attorney Michele Beal Bagneris said, “We believe we reached an appropriate sentence that reflects the seriousness of the crime committed.”

According to the terms of Carrillo-Gonzalez plea deal he was placed on 36 months of probation. Furthermore he must he defendant was placed on 36 months of probation with the following terms perform 90 days of Cal Trans in lieu of additional jail time. Pay $3,078.69 as victim restitution to the Pasadena Police Department as well as pay court costs and fees.

Attorney Caree Harper, who represents Kenneth McDade, responded via email, that if a police officer would have died that night, no matter the method, “Mr. Carrillo would have surely been charged by the DA with a serious felony whether the charge stuck or not.

On December 17, 2012, The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office concluded after an investigation that Pasadena police officers Mathew Griffin and Jeffrey Newlen acted in “Lawful self-defense and defense of others.”

Prosecutors for the City of Pasadena concludes the false armed robbery call by Mr. Carrillo-Gonzalez set off a series of events that ultimately led to the death of Kendrec McDade.

But Attoney Harper disagrees. “Mr. Carrillo was not the triggerman, and officers receive false calls daily, but Kendrec's life was just as important as a man in a suit, sweat pants or a uniform.”

The McDade case, Galipo added, resembles situations of police claims when they opened fire after seeing a suspect reach for a waistband. This could result in a multimillion dollar law verdict an outcome he hopes would send a message that police should be held responsible for shooting unarmed suspects.

An emotional Ms. Slaughter says her life has been traumatized.

“It kills me to spend 50 cent in the parking meter for this press conference, she said. “I grew up in this city, when they took my son; they took my love for this city. I want my son back. But since that cannot happen, I want the officers prosecuted. I do not want my son’s death to be swept under the rug.”

Category: Community