Demonstrators marching in Minneapolis, Minnesota, protesting the murder of George Floyd in 2021. Photo: CHANDAN KhannaAFP via Getty Images
Seven California Highway Patrol officers and a nurse were charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death in police custody of Edward Bronstein, officials in the state announced Wednesday.
The big picture: Californian authorities last year released video of the 38-year-old who died on March 31, 2020 after screaming "I can't breathe" while being restrained officers who were trying to take a blood sample.
- Bronstein's death following a traffic stop happened less than two months before George Floyd told Minneapolis police officers that he couldn't breathe before they killed him.
- His cause of death was ruled by the Los Angeles County coroner's office to be "acute methamphetamine intoxication during restraint by law enforcement.
Details: Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón confirmed in a statement Wednesday that seven officers had each been charged with one count of involuntary manslaughter and one count of assault by an officer.
- He named them as Dionisio Fiorella, 39, Michael Little, 57, Dustin Osmanson, 41, Darren Parsons, 48, Diego Romero, 35, Justin Silva, 30, and Marciel Terry, 32.
- Authorities charged Arbi Baghalian, a 42-year-old nurse, with involuntary manslaughter.
What they're saying: ""The officers had a legal duty to Mr. Bronstein," Gascón said during a news conference. "He was in their custody. We believe that they failed their duty and their failure was criminally negligent, causing his death."
Editor's note: This article has been updated with comment from Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón.
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