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
littlequeenie29 Said,
Absolutely he should have. These criminals egg on the police and when they get killed, the family is right there to defend them. That's probably how they ended up being criminals in the first place. It's time for people in our society to start taking responsibility for their criminal behavior.
Posted on July 14, 2010 8:51 AM
donvickyandauggiewake Said,
In past times people who stole for a living from others who labored had their finger then hand cut off for the crime committed. Most of the need comes from unemployment. This can be cured. The rivalry between the low-income persons and middle income people that do exactly the same job, for a different price. Thus creates gang activity in every social economic culture. An education does not necessarily mean that you will be able to live better economically. However, the need for drugs, alcohol, or a better social economic social presence puts all of us at great risk. The need for a pair of Reeboks or Nikes verses a K-Mart sneaker could cost you your life when worn in the wrong neighborhood. There are others who expect, like myself because my grandparents worked hard to leave me college money and so did my parents. So when a gang of nurses stole it that was dealing, and a corrupt attorney who was Michael Jackson's estate attorney. My retaliation thoughts were steal it back. My brother was murdered in Ventura County Jail & the officers turned off the camera and got rid of the video footage in 1994. The same group drugged me on a college campus while I was studying to become a Para legal. in O.C. and after spinning me out, or roofing me --dropped me off in a Caesar Chavez lettuce field. “I survived. “ But where do you go when the police sting your family so you cannot sue for wrongful death? And how do you start over? By stealing? Can you create your own company? Can you spend your life hating all P.D. employees?
At least you have the rest of the family. Mine were all roofed drugged beaten, tortured, and hung. When there's a bad seed in the group it reflects a memoir of deep chaotic remorse. And when the weak-minded people get in groups they become mobs. And I cannot recall--- is the best answer that you can expect in a cross-examination hearing. So I say since you still have a family your one up on me.
I have been tested by a power I do not say it is a Christian God, because most of these horses Asses are Christian or claim to be. So were Tammy Faye Baker and Jim Baker. And the higher power said oh no we have to make you suffer then take you to hell. The funny thing is there exactly where they put themselves, you can direct your own destiny. If you decide to get even don't get caught leave no traces. Out smart them. Stay sober and be aware of your surroundings. Every Christmas when there is no family member setting across the table from me my mind starts to wonder. I think about what I could have done to change the events of the officers who killed my brother, overdosed my mother, and I. And stung my family business’s.
The reason they need your help to tip is because they are to lazy to get out of their squad vehicles and to afraid to confront the norm. Shooting someone who is throwing a big object is not an excuse to shoot in the torso. I think wielding a knife if it was long enough to cause a fatality is still not justifiable homicide.
Posted on September 22, 2010 4:18 PM
H3mp Said,
Bail Bondsman
Posted on September 13, 2011 6:37 AM