More than 100 people gathered in downtown Sacramento Wednesday night to protest after two officers were cleared in the shooting death of Joseph Mann.
Protesters stopped traffic on I & 5th street, before doing the same on 5th & J street. Sacramento police blocked off the onramp to Interstate 5 during the protest.
Mann was shot and killed by officers last July on Del Paso Boulevard. The police department says Mann was under the influence of methamphetamine. The family of Joseph Mann says he was mentally ill.
Black Lives Matter Sacramento spokeswoman Sonia Lewis says the order to protect and serve includes people going through mental crisis.
"At some point we need to be able to be accountable to our citizens and that means showing us the respect; showing us that they’re doing their jobs professionally and professionally means no excessive force," says Lewis.
An autopsy showed Mann was under the influence of methamphetamine.
Two officers can be seen on video running toward Mann and shooting him, though Mann took no steps toward them.
John Burris is the Mann family attorney. He says the case was about more than money.
"The use-of-force policy was outdated and did not give enough due consideration to the sanctity of life," says Burris. "The city and the police department along with the community fought through that and that's a very, very positive sign."
Robert Mann Sr., is Joseph Mann’s older brother. During the demonstration he called for the resignation of District Attorney Ann Marie Schubert who decided not to file charges against the officers. Her office found that the officers did not break the law, and did not provide an opinion on the tactics used.
"She’s not serving us transparently," says Robert Mann, Sr. "She’s not giving any accountability to the people or the families. And she doesn’t need to be there if that’s what she’s doing because she’s not being here for the people. She’s only here for the police department."
The family of Joseph Mann reached a settlement with the City of Sacramento for $719,000, according to Burris. Further details on the settlment were not released.
The city issued a statement admitting no liability while saying "it is in the best interest of the city, and all parties to settle this matter.
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