A former San Antonio police officer who shot and wounded a 17-year-old as the teenager put his automobile in reverse whereas consuming a hamburger has been indicted by a grand jury on two counts of aggravated assault by a public servant and one rely of tried homicide, prosecutors mentioned Thursday.
James Brennand, 28, was a rookie officer when he was fired and charged with the 2 counts of aggravated assault after taking pictures Erik Cantu on Oct. 2 in a McDonald's car parking zone.
Bexar County District Lawyer Joe Gonzales mentioned that one of many aggravated assault fees is for taking pictures Cantu and the opposite is for taking pictures within the course of his feminine passenger. He mentioned the tried homicide cost pertains to the taking pictures of Cantu.
Aggravated assault by a public servant is punishable by as much as life in jail, whereas tried homicide is punishable by as much as 20 years in jail, Gonzales mentioned.
"We all know that the majority officers on this metropolis care deeply about this group, however we can not have a protected metropolis if the group doesn't have belief within the prison justice system," Gonzales mentioned.
Certainly one of Brennand's attorneys, Nico LaHood, mentioned Thursday that up to now, Brennand's aspect of the story hasn't been instructed, including that there is been an preliminary "rush to judgement angle." Video of the episode from Brennand's body-worn digital camera has been launched by police.
"We anticipate extra data will likely be revealed that may additional make clear this incident," LaHood mentioned.
Cantu was launched from the hospital final week, almost two months after the taking pictures. In an announcement after his launch, his dad and mom mentioned he "nonetheless has a protracted highway to restoration."
Household legal professional Ben Crump, who has taken on among the nation's most high-profile police killings of Black individuals, mentioned in an announcement that the indictments have been "a reduction" for the household.
"Erik and his household are grateful for the outpouring of help they've obtained, not solely in Erik's struggle for survival, but in addition in our struggle for full justice," Crump mentioned. "Immediately, we're one step nearer."
Police mentioned Brennand had been responding to an unrelated disturbance on the McDonald's when he noticed Cantu in a automobile he believed had evaded him the day earlier than throughout an tried site visitors cease.
Police mentioned Brennand violated his coaching and police procedures after approaching the automobile, which they mentioned he believed to have been stolen. Though the automobile's registration plates did not match the automobile, the automobile was not stolen, in response to police.
In physique digital camera footage launched by police, Brennand opens the automobile door and tells Cantu to get out.
Roughly 5 seconds after opening the door, the officer fires 5 rounds into the automobile. He then shoots 5 extra occasions because the automobile drives away.
Cantu's pal, George Ramos, instructed CBS Information he was shocked by the physique digital camera video.
"It was completely heartbreaking," Ramos mentioned. "After I noticed that video, it simply made me break down."