August 18, 2009
Occurrence/Event:
Federal Jury Clears Oxnard Police Department Sergeant in Trial of Wrongful Death Lawsuit
Day/Date/Time:
Tuesday, August 18, 2009 @ 11:20am
Location:
United States District Court
Los Angeles, CA
Involved Parties:
Plaintiff Tomas Barrera
Represented by:
A Los Angles federal jury unanimously found in favor of Sgt. Andrew Salinas on Tuesday following a week-long trial of a Civil Rights/Wrongful Death lawsuit brought by the parents of Thomas Barrera, Jr. who was shot and killed on October 3, 2007 in Oxnard, CA.
Barrera, a 22 year-old Oxnard resident, was believed to have been burglarizing a truck in the early morning hours on Fifth Street near Hobson Way. Salinas stopped to investigate and engaged in a foot pursuit of Barrera when he fled the scene.
During the pursuit, Barrera threw a wrench set at Salinas which struck the officer. Moments later, Barrera turned again and brandished a 6-inch knife, swinging at Salinas from a distance of 5-8 feet. Faced with this imminent threat, Salinas fired four shots from his department-issued handgun, striking Barrera three times. Barrera died at the scene.
Salinas presented testimony from Dr. William Lewinski, a Minnesota State University professor who has conducted research and studies in “Force Dynamics” for the past 25 years. Dr. Lewinski addressed the action/reaction, turning movements and “stop-shooting” dynamics which play a role in lethal force encounters.
The jury began deliberating late Monday afternoon and returned with its verdict Tuesday morning.
Occurrence/Event:
Federal Jury Clears Oxnard Police Department Sergeant in Trial of Wrongful Death Lawsuit
Day/Date/Time:
Tuesday, August 18, 2009 @ 11:20am
Location:
United States District Court
Los Angeles, CA
Involved Parties:
Plaintiff Tomas Barrera
Represented by:
Gregory A. Yates, Encino, CA (310) 858-6944
Plaintiff Maria Lazos
Represented by:
Plaintiff Maria Lazos
Represented by:
Jenny Scovis and Kim Scovis, Thousand Oaks
Defendant Sgt. Andrew Salinas
Represented by:
Defendant Sgt. Andrew Salinas
Represented by:
Alan E. Wisotsky and Dirk DeGenna, Oxnard
Prepared By:
Alan E. Wisotsky
Narrative:
Prepared By:
Alan E. Wisotsky
Narrative:
A Los Angles federal jury unanimously found in favor of Sgt. Andrew Salinas on Tuesday following a week-long trial of a Civil Rights/Wrongful Death lawsuit brought by the parents of Thomas Barrera, Jr. who was shot and killed on October 3, 2007 in Oxnard, CA.
Barrera, a 22 year-old Oxnard resident, was believed to have been burglarizing a truck in the early morning hours on Fifth Street near Hobson Way. Salinas stopped to investigate and engaged in a foot pursuit of Barrera when he fled the scene.
During the pursuit, Barrera threw a wrench set at Salinas which struck the officer. Moments later, Barrera turned again and brandished a 6-inch knife, swinging at Salinas from a distance of 5-8 feet. Faced with this imminent threat, Salinas fired four shots from his department-issued handgun, striking Barrera three times. Barrera died at the scene.
Salinas presented testimony from Dr. William Lewinski, a Minnesota State University professor who has conducted research and studies in “Force Dynamics” for the past 25 years. Dr. Lewinski addressed the action/reaction, turning movements and “stop-shooting” dynamics which play a role in lethal force encounters.
The jury began deliberating late Monday afternoon and returned with its verdict Tuesday morning.
Meka Said,
I believe there has been a server miscarage in justice in this case. how can you shoot someone 3 times two of them in the back and be cleared of a wrongfull death all I can say is one day that "officer will met his maker and will have to answer for all he was done in his life only gOD AND THE "OFFICER" KNOW WHAT REALLY HAPPENED THAT TRAGIC MORNING I HOPE FOR HIS SOULS SAKE HE CAME ANSWER WITH A PURE JUST HEART FOR WHAT TOOK PLACE THAT DAY !! MARIA I LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU. TOMMY YOU ARE LOVED AND MISSED DEARLY I AM SORRY FOR OUR LAST WORDS WE HAD. YOU ARE MY FRINED AND YOU ARE SOMEONE SPECIAL TOO ME. MY DED. TO YOU ALICIA KEYES NO ONE!!!
Posted on August 31, 2009 1:39 PM
tinito Said,
do you have spell check by any chance? Tommy should have been at work or home asleep!
Posted on October 28, 2009 12:59 PM