Three California Officers Charged in 2021 Death of Mario Gonzalez

Three California law enforcement officers have been charged with involuntary manslaughter in the 2021 death of 26-year-old Mario Gonzalez. The charges come after a new district attorney took office and a second autopsy determined the cause of death was "restraint asphyxiation." The initial autopsy had attributed Gonzalez's death to the "toxic effects of methamphetamine" and other factors.

The previous Alameda County District Attorney, Nancy O'Malley, had concluded the officers' actions were "objectively reasonable," but the current DA's office, led by Pamela Price, reopened the case and found the officers' actions led to Gonzalez's death by restraint asphyxiation. The three officers, Eric McKinley and James Fisher from the Alameda Police Department and Cameron Leahy, who was with the APD at the time but is now a Contra Costa County sheriff's deputy, have been charged and face up to four years in prison if convicted.

The officers confronted Gonzalez on April 19, 2021, after receiving 911 calls about him acting strangely and talking to himself in a public park. They pinned him face-down on the ground for several minutes before he became unresponsive. Gonzalez was later pronounced dead at a hospital.

Why this matters: The case has drawn national attention and incited protests over police use of force, particularly against people of color. The decision to file charges against the officers marks a significant shift in how such cases are handled, with the new district attorney prioritizing accountability and rebuilding trust in the justice system.

The city of Alameda has reached settlement agreements with Gonzalez's family totaling over $11 million. Gonzalez's mother, Edith Arenales, expressed her relief at the charges, stating, "Mario was a kind and gentle man loved by so many. Our family has been through hell, and we look forward to fighting for justice on his behalf." The officers are scheduled to be arraigned on May 30, and their attorneys have criticized the charges as politically motivated, coinciding with a recall effort against the new district attorney.

Key Takeaways

• 3 CA officers charged with involuntary manslaughter in 2021 death of Mario Gonzalez
• Initial autopsy attributed death to meth, but new autopsy found restraint asphyxiation
• Officers pinned Gonzalez face-down for minutes before he became unresponsive
• Alameda city settled with Gonzalez's family for over $11 million
• Charges mark shift to accountability, rebuilding trust in justice system