Monday Morning Thoughts: December 4 Was the 50th Anniversary of the Murder of Fred Hampton
As someone born in 1972, I am too young to remember contemporaneous accounts of the death…
City of Stockton Settles Cop Killing Case with Family for $395,000
By Crescenzo Vellucci Vanguard Sacramento Bureau SACRAMENTO – The long, long journey for Dionne Smith-Downs since her…
Judge Declares Mistrial in Stockton Cop Killing Case after Jury Deadlocks
By Crescenzo Vellucci Vanguard Capitol Bureau SACRAMENTO – The judge in a federal civil rights trial here…
Federal Jury Deliberates If Police Used Excessive Force in Shooting Death of Special Needs Teen Driving Stolen Van
By Crescenzo Vellucci Vanguard Capitol Bureau SACRAMENTO – Civil rights attorney John Burris didn’t bother to mince…
Police Use of Force Experts in Federal Civil Rights Trial Disagree on Stockton Officers’ Decision to Kill Teen
By Crescenzo Vellucci Vanguard Capitol Bureau SACRAMENTO – A day after one police procedures expert emphatically maintained…
DAY 3: Police Procedures Expert Testifies in Shooting that Killed Stockton Teen Was ‘Tactical Error’
By Crescenzo Vellucci Vanguard Capitol Bureau SACRAMENTO – Day Three in a U.S. District Court civil trial…
Federal Trial: Mother of Slain Teen Shares Witness Stand with Cops Who Killed Him
By Crescenzo Vellucci Vanguard Capitol Bureau SACRAMENTO – The mother of a 16-year-old special needs son shared…
Witness Describes Shock on 1st Day of Federal Lawsuit against Stockton City Cops
By Crescenzo Vellucci Vanguard Capitol Bureau SACRAMENTO – The testimony Monday on the first day of what…
Atatiana Jefferson’s Death Was a Failure of Policing, not the Failure of One Officer
By Sarah Lustbader Early Saturday morning, Atatiana Jefferson, a 28-year-old Black woman, was at her home…
Fired Sacramento Cop Who Killed Twice Sues to Get His Job Back
By Crescenzo Vellucci Vanguard Sacramento Bureau SACRAMENTO – Bad cops may not face criminal charges often, if…
Sheriff Shoots Man, Kills ‘Man’s Best Friend’ in their Own Home
(From Press Release – SF Public Defender’s Office) – On Thursday, September 5, 2019, SF Sheriff’s Deputies…
Family of Willie McCoy Files Civil Rights Suit against Vallejo
Oakland – It has been four months since six Vallejo police officers shot Willie McCoy 25 times…
Press Conference in Shooting of Vallejo Man (Exclusive Video)
This week, the Vallejo City Council was forced to empty its chambers at a regularly scheduled meeting…
Protest in Police Shooting Death Leads to Vallejo Mayor Shutting Down Council Meeting
By Crescenzo Vellucci VALLEJO – With the continuing “nightmare” – as many describe it – of unarmed…
What Officer Noor’s Conviction Says about Racism in America
By Carl Takei and Paige Fernandez On Tuesday, April 30, a Minnesota jury convicted police officer Mohamed…
Advocates, Families of People Killed by California Police Claim Victory on Use of Force Legislation
(From Press Release) – Today, the California Senate Public Safety Committee voted to pass Senate Bill 230…
Case Illustrates the Need For AB 392
By Carl Takei and Paige Fernandez The events that led to the murder of Willie McCoy by…
Poor People’s Campaign Bus Tour in Capitol – Calls Stephon Clark Killing ‘Lynching’
By Crescenzo Vellucci Vanguard Sacramento Bureau SACRAMENTO – The Poor People’s Campaign – a national organization dedicated…
State of Civil Rights in Sacramento Panel Paints Dismal Picture
By Crescenzo Vellucci Vanguard Sacramento Bureau SACRAMENTO – Social justice leaders and civil rights lawyers didn’t try…
Sacramento DA Called ‘Tyrant’ of Year as Personal Protests Ramp Up in Wake of Stephon Clark Decision
By Crescenzo Vellucci Vanguard Sacramento Bureau SACRAMENTO – When Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert announced…