The following is from the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office:
Today, Contra Costa Superior Court Judge Clare Maier ruled on the disclosure of information that centers on racist text messages exchanged by Antioch Police officers.
For over a year, the FBI and the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office have engaged in a joint federal and state criminal investigation of sworn law enforcement officers from the Antioch Police Department and Pittsburg Police Department. The broad range of offenses under investigation involve crimes of moral turpitude.
Due to the sensitivity and scope of the investigation, a court procedure was established to balance the integrity of the criminal investigation with the disclosure of exculpatory information (i.e., evidence that is beneficial to a defendant).
In accordance with legal precedent, the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office has been scrupulous in maintaining the balance as the court constructed.
Recently, additional information has come to light in which police misconduct directly overlaps and impacts a charged felony case.
The joint investigation with the FBI has revealed that Antioch Police officers exchanged text messages which contain unambiguously and historically racist speech directed toward the suspects the officers were investigating.
The racial animus expressed by officers in the recovered text messages trigger additional statutory concerns under the Racial Justice Act.
In seeking further direction from the court, the DA’s Office and the defense appeared in front of Judge Maier on April 4th to present information detailing the overlap of the officers’ misconduct and a charged felony case.
In her ruling today, Judge Maier said that the offensive texts in the two investigative reports shall be disclosed to the defense in the charged felony case. She added, the reports will be redacted to shield cell phone numbers and urged caution in the distribution of the language and images contained in the texts as they can spark more hatred toward Blacks and Latinos.
The integrity of the joint investigation and legal requirements for the disclosure of exculpatory evidence is of paramount importance to the District Attorney’s Office. Our office will continue to work tirelessly to ensure public trust and public safety for the residents of Contra Costa County.
Diana Becton
District Attorney, Contra Costa County
12 comments
Yet convicted felons walk among us unhindered, theft and Robbery are rampant, cars are stolen and vandalized daily, and people are living in fear.
The DA needs to rearrange her priorities.
Last sentence needs correction- “Our office will continue to work tirelessly to destroy the public trust and eliminate public safety for the residents of Contra Costa County”.
“…the reports will be redacted to shield cell phone numbers and urged caution in the distribution of the language and images contained in the texts as they can spark more hatred toward Blacks and Latinos.”
Whatever hatred is there already exists. It is unfortunate that it exists within the ranks of some of those we hold in positions of power, and upon whom we trust to keep us safe. People are pretty much on their own these days.
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Why is it that Afr. Americans get a “pass” when they use the n-word?
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So if you murder someone but the officer calls you N@#$!@, you have grounds for dismissal?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VT2v64Ykxc0
Amazing to me that she gets re-elected over a more moderate candidate.
So if you’re a victim of crime and you voted for DB, look in the mirror for an
answer.
This is my take. The media often does this. The tweet/text/whatever from so and so was racist, trust us. It’s so heinous we can’t show you. They did this to Gina Carano. Made it sound like she said something insanely antisemitic. Then, when you actually looked for the tweet, she was making an honest plea for people to stop villifying and dehumanizing each other, as the Jews were prior to the holocaust.
Unfortunately, I don’t believe anyone when they make accusations of racism anymore unless I see the evidence with my own eyes.
I assume the relevant juries in these cases will see the actual evidence involved. We will see if they agree with DA Becton and Co’s assessment.
If your job was arresting the same disrespectful people day in and day out you may not be as careful with your language as you should be. What is the cause of using inappropriate language.
I DARE YOU TO WALK IN LAW ENFORCEMENT SHOES! A JOB SO DANGEROUS THAT A FRACTION OF THE POPULATION IS WILLING TO DO IT FOR OUR BENEFIT. WHAT IN THE HELL ARE WE DOING TO OUR GUARDIANS?
Rumor has it a few of them were caught watching reruns of “All In The Family” in the break room.
Heavy.
The police deal with the scum of society everyday. They are Not making fun of regular working POC. They are trying to have a mental break from the scum, most of which ethnic communities don’t want to be a part of their community
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