LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — The Las Vegas police union held a press convention Friday after a Clark County grand jury selected to not indict an officer who killed a home-owner who referred to as 911 to report an intruder.
Las Vegas Metro police officer Alexander Bookman was going through a second-degree homicide for taking pictures 43-year-old Brandon Durham, in line with Clark County District Legal professional Steve Wolfson.
Clark County prosecutors introduced proof to the grand jury on final November’s lethal police encounter since Could. However Wolfson mentioned the grand jury declined to indict Bookman.
“Neither officer Bookman or the LVPPA take anything for granted,” David Roger, an legal professional with the Las Vegas Police Protecting Affiliation, mentioned. “We recognize that the grand jury has a great deal of latitude. Their burden of proof is lower than what is required for a conviction. We obviously respect their decision.”
The choice to not indict Bookman has upset Durham’s household, who’ve a civil lawsuit towards the officer and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Division.
David Roger, legal professional with the Las Vegas Police Protecting Affiliation.
Durham had referred to as the police final November for assist. When officers arrived, they discovered Durham in a battle with 31-year-old Alejandra Boudreaux.
“Brandon Durham knew from past experience that when you call the police, they show up. Mr. Durham called the police on this occasion,” Roger mentioned. “The answer to the public is that when you call the police and they tell you to drop the gun, drop the knife, then do it.”
Las Vegas officer received’t be indicted for killing of 911 caller: sources
Court docket paperwork state Boudreaux and Durham have been in a romantic relationship.
At Friday’s press convention, Roger introduced data on the lethal taking pictures and defined why Bookman did not advantage a homicide cost.
Roger mentioned Bookman responded to a tense home violence scenario and acted as soon as he believed Boudreaux’s life was threatened. Roger additionally centered on Durham’s way of thinking. A toxicology report confirmed Durham had methamphetamine in his system, Roger mentioned. Police discovered meth and different medication in Durham’s home.
“Was his judgment clouded at the time? Was he actually the aggressor? We know from experts that when you’re high on methamphetamine, you can be aggressive and violent,” Roger mentioned.
A picture from physique digital camera video in the course of the confrontation that led to Brandon Durham’s loss of life.
In response to Roger, a 911 name Durham made on the evening of the lethal encounter confirmed he was hallucinating.
“They’re trying to kill people,” Durham instructed a dispatcher.
“Who’s trying to kill people?”
“These two people out here is killing, shooting guns at my house,” Durham mentioned.
The dispatcher responded, “Okay, and the person that was shot, are they outside or inside that you believe?”
“Inside. Inside, inside,” Durham mentioned.
“Okay, so you think it’s one of your family members?”
“Yeah,” Durham mentioned.
Investigators decided there was nobody outdoors Durham’s residence with weapons when he made that decision and no member of his household was shot inside.
Durham’s household has strongly disputed the adverse characterization of their deceased cherished one.
“This failure to act is a betrayal of the public trust and a violation of the district attorney’s sworn duty to uphold the law without fear or favor,” S. Lee Merritt, the household’s legal professional, mentioned. “Officer Bookman murdered Brandon Durham in cold blood. This community deserves transparency, accountability, and justice.”
The Durham household reacts to the grand jury’s choice to not indict Metro officer Alexander Bookman.
In an interview with 8 Information Now on Thursday, Durham’s former accomplice Rachael Gore mentioned the household will not cease right here.
“The way we’re going to get through this is by using every avenue of the criminal justice system that’s available to us,” Gore mentioned.
LVMPD officer Bookman continues to be not within the clear to return to responsibility. He faces an inner investigation.
District Legal professional Steve Wolfson responded to Durham’s household.
“I reject that characterization and strongly deny its implications. That rhetoric is not only unfounded, but clearly not intended to further a legitimate public discourse which this truly horrible tragedy deserves,” Wolfson mentioned.
Durham’s household is looking on Nevada Legal professional Normal Aaron Ford to nominate a particular prosecutor.
