The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy who fatally shot Andres Guardado in June, his partner on the scene and two Sheriff’s homicide detectives all invoked — or signaled their intention to invoke — their Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination today during the first day of a coroner’s inquest into the killing.
Retired appellate justice Candace Cooper, who is presiding over the proceeding, said she is not certain that the four men’s Fifth Amendment assertions are acceptable in all instances, adding that she will consult with county counsel on the matter. Deputy Miguel Vega shot the 18-year-old Guardado five times in the back June 18 as he allegedly reached for a gun outside an autobody shop in Gardena. Vega was subpoenaed to testify, but his attorney informed the inquest that he is out of the country, and in any case he will assert his Fifth Amendment right if called to answer questions. While saying she would “probably” accept Vega’s invocation of the Fifth, Cooper said she’s not sure that he can assert it “across the board.” Cooper adjourned the inquest Monday, saying she needs to review sealed documents provided to her by the Sheriff's Department and consult with counsel regarding the various invocations of the 5th Amendment. Depending on the outcomes of those deliberations, Cooper said she may need to call another session. The coroner’s inquest is the first in L.A. County in nearly four decades.
Today on AirTalk, we get the latest updates on the inquest into the shooting of Guardado.
With files from LAist. Read the full story here
Guest:
Frank Stoltze, KPCC public safety correspondent; he tweets