San Francisco DA Drops Charges Against Former Officer

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said he plans to drop a manslaughter charge against a former police officer charged with manslaughter.

Jenkins said in a letter sent Wednesday to Attorney General Rob Bonta that he plans to drop the charges against San Francisco Police Officer Christopher Samayoa at a hearing on March 1.

Samayoa was in his fourth day on the job in 2017 when he shot and killed carjacking suspect Keita O’Neill during a police chase.

Jenkins predecessor Chesa Boudin indicts Samayoa After taking office in 2020, he was indicted on manslaughter and other charges, calling his decision “historic.” was part of a wave of progressive prosecutors. He was recalled from The Post last year amid frustration and anxiety over the pandemic and viral footage of an elderly Asian man being assaulted in San Francisco.

in the Letter obtained by the San Francisco ChronicleJenkins said an investigation into Boudin’s handling of the case revealed internal conflict. It said it was signed by an investigator who said it was – the longtime lead investigator was on vacation.

“The torts and facts uncovered surrounding the case against Officer Samayoa suggest that the indictment was not filed in good faith and appears to have been politically motivated, and we are determined to proceed with this indictment.” impossible,” Jenkins said in a statement Friday.

Boudin did not immediately return a message for comment on Friday. This prompted the police department to fire Samayoa and the city and pay O’Neil’s family a $2.5 million settlement.

“It’s clear that Jenkins coordinated with the officers’ defense team to avoid a hearing on the disturbing facts of the case,” he said. “She is using me as a scapegoat to divert attention from what this decision will ultimately reveal about her. Jenkins does not hold everyone equally accountable under the law. She is deeply politically motivated and doesn’t care about victims of police violence.”

Jenkins said her office, in support of O’Neill’s family’s wishes, has asked the state attorney general’s office to review the case.

The office confirmed it received the request on Friday and is considering it.

O’Neill, who died in hospital, was suspected of assaulting a California Lottery employee and stealing a van that belonged to the agency. Police said they tracked the van and another of his SUVs and saw them heading towards a public residential area. O’Neill ditched his stolen car and started running towards the patrol car with Samayoa and the training officer in his passenger seat.

Body camera footage shows Samayoa drawing his pistol while the cruiser is still moving. The video then shows him opening the side door and firing a single shot through the window as O’Neill is running in the opposite direction. O’Neill, who later died in hospital, was unarmed.

O’Neal’s family attorney, Brian Ford, called the decision to drop charges against Jenkins “shameful and cowardly.”

“She’s more concerned with protecting murderous cops and attacking Boudin than seeking justice for the citizens of San Francisco,” Ford told the paper. is obligated to investigate and prosecute Christopher Samayoa for the murder of Keita O’Neill.”