Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
LA Deputy Who Shot And Killed Fred Williams Takes The Fifth In Coroner's Inquest
A screenshot from a deputy's body camera video released Friday, Oct. 30 by Los Angeles County Sheriff's Dept.
()
The L.A. County Sheriff's deputy who shot and killed Fred Williams refused to testify in today's coroner's inquest, citing his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. His partner refused on the same grounds, and two detectives declined to testify, saying doing so would compromise their investigation.
A coroner’s official testified the 25-year-old Williams was shot once in the upper back, and that the bullet struck both lungs and perforated his aorta. A coroner’s investigator testified there were eight bullet casings on the ground when she arrived — suggesting the deputy fired eight times.
After less than three hours, the hearing officer, retired state appeals court justice Candace Cooper, ended the inquest for the day and said she would review sealed documents provided by the Sheriff’s Department before issuing a ruling.
The shooting of Williams on Oct. 16, 2020, was the first caught on a deputy’s body-worn camera. The department had started outfitting deputies with cameras just weeks earlier.
Support for LAist comes from
The department says deputies spotted Williams with a gun in Mona Park in the South L.A. neighborhood of Willowbrook. Video shows one deputy chasing him into a backyard and shooting him as he is jumping over a fence with what appears to be a gun in his hand.
The deputy said Williams had pointed the weapon at him. The video is unclear on that point.
The Williams family's attorney called the inquest a "charade."
Two deputies and two detectives also refused to testify at last November's inquest into the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Andres Guardado by a deputy last June in Gardena.
READ OUR FULL STORY ON THE FRED WILLIAMS INQUEST:
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily newsletters. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
People moving to Los Angeles are regularly baffled by the region’s refrigerator-less apartments. They’ll soon be a thing of the past. -
Experts say students shouldn't readily forgo federal aid. But a California-only program may be a good alternative in some cases. -
The program is for customers in communities that may not be able to afford turf removal or water-saving upgrades. -
More than half of sales through September have been to corporate developers. Grassroots community efforts continue to work to combat the trend. -
The bill would increase penalties for metal recyclers who possess or purchase metal used in public infrastructure. -
The new ordinance applies to certain grocers operating in the city and has led to some self-checkout lanes to shutter.
Best of LAist