In a recent development in the case of the former San Leandro police officer charged with manslaughter, a judge has tossed out a motion to remove District Attorney Pamela Price from the case. The motion was filed by the defense attorneys for Officer Jason Fletcher, who is charged with killing Steven Taylor, a Black man, inside a Walmart store in 2020.
The defense had argued that Price had a conflict of interest because of her prior support for police reform and her past representation of clients who had filed excessive force lawsuits against law enforcement. However, the judge rejected the motion, stating that Price had not shown any bias in the case and that her past work did not create a conflict of interest.
The decision was met with disappointment by Taylor’s family and their supporters, who had hoped for a different outcome. However, the judge’s ruling does not affect the criminal charges against Fletcher, who is still set to stand trial for manslaughter in August.
The case has gained national attention as part of a larger conversation about police violence against Black people in the United States. Taylor’s killing was captured on video and sparked protests in the Bay Area and beyond.
In addition to the criminal case against Fletcher, the family has also filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the San Leandro Police Department and Walmart. The lawsuit alleges that Fletcher used excessive force against Taylor and that Walmart failed to adequately train its employees to handle situations like the one that led to Taylor’s death.
The case remains ongoing, and many are watching closely to see what the outcome will be.