Alameda, California – Three Alameda police officers are now facing involuntary manslaughter charges nearly three years after the death of 26-year-old Mario Gonzalez while in custody. The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office made the announcement Thursday, revealing that officers Eric McKinley, James Fisher, and Cameron Leahy are being charged in relation to Gonzalez’s death.
District Attorney Pamela Price decided to reopen Gonzalez’s case this year, overturning her predecessor’s decision to clear the officers of any criminal wrongdoing. Price’s review led to the filing of charges against the three officers, despite earlier conclusions that their actions were reasonable based on agency policies and circumstances.
The incident took place in April 2021, when Alameda police responded to a call regarding a disorderly person in a public park. Video footage from police body cameras captured officers pinning Gonzalez facedown on the ground for over six minutes. Initially, the coroner’s report attributed Gonzalez’s death to the effects of methamphetamine, but a second autopsy pointed to asphyxiation as the cause of death.
The family of Mario Gonzalez has been vocal in demanding accountability for the officers involved in his death. Cat Brooks, the executive director of the Anti Police-Terror Project, expressed skepticism about the likelihood of the officers facing severe consequences, citing the challenges of holding law enforcement accountable.
Currently, one officer involved is no longer employed by the Alameda Police Department, while the other two are on administrative leave. If convicted, they could each face up to four years in state prison. The case is scheduled to proceed to court in May, where a judge and jury will determine the outcome.
The decision to press charges against the officers marks a significant development in the ongoing efforts to seek justice for Mario Gonzalez’s death. The community, along with advocacy groups, continues to push for accountability and reform within the police department to prevent similar tragedies in the future.