Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Adelanto, CA: Fatal Adelanto shooting by deputies justified

By Melissa Pinion-Whitt
Posted: 09/14/2010 12:43:23 PM PDT

A parolee who was shot and killed in March by sheriff's deputies in Adelanto attempted to run over several deputies with a car before they opened fire, prosecutors said today.
Miguel Angel Martinez, 46, who had been out of prison about a week, led San Bernardino County sheriff's deputies on a car chase in a white Ford Explorer. He had just left his girlfriend's home after getting into an argument with her, officials from the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office said.

Martinez crashed into a vehicle, drove the car in reverse and tried to ram patrol cars during the chase.

He pulled into an apartment complex on Chamberlaine Way were deputies twice tried to use a Taser gun on him.

Martinez revved his engine and drove toward deputies. Deputies Johnnie Mamon, Roosevelt Dutra and David Harding opened fire.

Martinez died at Victor Valley Community Hospital from a gunshot wound to his neck. San Bernardino County coroner's officials said his blood alcohol level was .18 percent and he had methamphetamine in his system.

Prosecutors in a report determined the deputies, "had the right to use lethal force to defend both themselves and others."

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