http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007...2_095_7_07.txt
Monday, May 7, 2007
SAN DIEGO -- The state Attorney General's office on Monday found Sheriff's deputies involved in four fatal Vista shootings in 2005 were justified.
The findings were part of a review that was conducted at the request of North County's El Grupo and the San Diego-based Coalition for Justice after the county District Attorney's office concluded the shootings were justified and declined to bring charges against the deputies.
"The Department of Justice review of the District Attorney's decision finds that specific deputies acted without discriminatatory animus and justifiably used deadly force either in self defense or in defense of others," said a statement released at a 10 a.m. press conference at the state Attorney General's office in downtown San Diego.
Said Gary Schons, senior assistant attorney general in charge of the San Diego regional office, "We have come to the conclusion that the district attorney did not abuse her discretion in finding the shootings were legally justified. Although tragic, they were justified as a matter of law."
Bill Flores, spokesman for El Grupo, and Cleo Malone, spokesman for the Coalition for Justice, said they were not satisfied with the fact that there has still been no independent investigation of the shootings.
Flores said they do appreciate the fact that the attorney general's office has listened to their concerns and taken some action.
The shootings occurred between March 7 and Aug. 1, 2005.
Monday, May 7, 2007
SAN DIEGO -- The state Attorney General's office on Monday found Sheriff's deputies involved in four fatal Vista shootings in 2005 were justified.
The findings were part of a review that was conducted at the request of North County's El Grupo and the San Diego-based Coalition for Justice after the county District Attorney's office concluded the shootings were justified and declined to bring charges against the deputies.
"The Department of Justice review of the District Attorney's decision finds that specific deputies acted without discriminatatory animus and justifiably used deadly force either in self defense or in defense of others," said a statement released at a 10 a.m. press conference at the state Attorney General's office in downtown San Diego.
Said Gary Schons, senior assistant attorney general in charge of the San Diego regional office, "We have come to the conclusion that the district attorney did not abuse her discretion in finding the shootings were legally justified. Although tragic, they were justified as a matter of law."
Bill Flores, spokesman for El Grupo, and Cleo Malone, spokesman for the Coalition for Justice, said they were not satisfied with the fact that there has still been no independent investigation of the shootings.
Flores said they do appreciate the fact that the attorney general's office has listened to their concerns and taken some action.
The shootings occurred between March 7 and Aug. 1, 2005.
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