This browser does not support the Video element.
Judge dismisses manslaughter charges against 2 of 3 Alameda officers in Mario Gonzalez death
In a major blow to Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price, a judge on Monday dismissed charges against two of three Alameda police officers charged with the involuntary manslaughter of Mario Gonzalez because of a prosecutorial paperwork and timing technicality.
ALAMEDA, Calif. - The Alameda County District Attorney plans to dismiss the case against an officer involved in the death of Mario Gonzalez.
The district attorney's office told KTVU it will toss the case against Officer Eric McKinley, who pleaded not guilty to charges of involuntary manslaughter in October.
The 26-year-old died after being pinned facedown to the ground for more than five minutes. In October, a judge dismissed charges against the other two officers originally charged in the case on the basis of prosecutorial paperwork and a timing technicality.
On April 19, 2021, the officers were responding to a call involving a man behaving oddly in a public park on Oak Street. Officers then learned that Gonzalez was a suspect in a shoplifting incident and attempted to detain him.
When officers approached him, Gonzalez did not provide ID when they asked.
Not providing ID is not a crime, but the refusal is what prompted the officers to pin him on his stomach on the ground.
He died after being restrained in a prone position for several minutes. Last year, his son was awarded an $11 million settlement.
Gonzalez later died at the hospital.
Alameda County District Attorn Pamela Price reopened the case against three police officers in February of last year.