St. Paul, Minn. (Nov. 16, 2016) — The Ramsey County Attorney’s Office (RCAO) on Wednesday charged St. Anthony Police Officer Jeronimo Yanez with Second Degree Manslaughter in the death of Philando Castile.
Yanez was also charged with two additional felony counts of Intentional Discharge of a Dangerous Weapon that endangered the safety of Diamond Reynolds and her four-year-old daughter in connection with a July 6, 2016, traffic stop in Falcon Heights, Minnesota. Yanez will make his first appearance at 1:30 p.m. Friday in Ramsey County District Court at the Ramsey County Law Enforcement Center, 425 Grove Street in St. Paul.
“Based upon our thorough and exhaustive review of the facts, I have come to the conclusion that there simply was no justification for the use of deadly force by Officer Yanez in this case. No reasonable officer who knew, saw, and heard what Officer Yanez did at the time would have used deadly force under these circumstances,” said Ramsey County Attorney John Choi.
“I ask for the public’s continued patience, trust and respect for the integrity of the process as we prosecute this case and seek justice for Philando Castile, his family and friends, including Diamond Reynolds and her daughter, and our broader community.”
It should be noted that a criminal complaint is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
