Alameda County DA To Reopen Mario Gonzalez Case, And 7 Others

ALAMEDA, CA — The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday its intention to reopen the investigation into the Mario Gonzalez case in Alameda, as well as seven other cases where suspects died in police custody. Two cases date back more than a decade to 2007 and 2008.

The cases will be reviewed by a newly-formed Public Accountability Unit, which will review the conduct of law enforcement and public officials.

Price said in a news release that although three of the six officer-involved shootings were deemed justified, she feels her office did not have sufficient time to review the evidence.

“These reports were released at the 11th hour, just weeks before I took office. As the top prosecutor, I want to give each case a thorough review to ensure justice has not been forgotten,” she said. “I’ve made sure that my Office has attempted to [reach] out to each of the families of the deceased. The healing process cannot begin until we do our due diligence.”

The DA’s office said that it has asked local police chiefs and Alameda County Sheriff Yesenia Sanchez to return evidence for the eight cases “with the intention of reopening the cases for further review to determine whether charges should be filed or not.”

Price linked the new review to the fatal Tyre Nichols beating in a statement. “We have seen many thoughts and prayers being bandied about the police murder of Tyre Nichols in Memphis, Tennessee. The people of Tennessee want accountability – and so do the people of Alameda County,” she said. “I promised accountability. This unit and its work are the start of the reckoning Alameda County has asked for holding people accountable for their misconduct.”

Mario Gonzalez died in police custody on an Alameda sidewalk after police detained him. Police-worn video captured the death. Gonzalez 's family has demanded that murder charges be filed against the officers since shortly after his death.

Other officer-involved shootings now up for review include:

• Caleb Smith, Hayward Police
• Joshua Gloria, Fremont Police
• Agustin Gonsalez, Hayward Police
• Mack Jody Woodfox, Oakland Police
• Andrew Moppin-Buckskin, Oakland Police
• Cody Chavez, Pleasanton Police

Two cases in which suspects died in police custody will also be reviewed:

• Vinetta Martin, Santa Rita Jail