Alameda to cooperate with new investigation into death of Mario Gonzalez in custody

The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office on Tuesday reopened an investigation into the actions of Alameda police officers involved in the death of Mario Gonzalez in April 2021.

The new investigation follows last month’s appointment of District Attorney Pamela Price following her election in November.

According to former District Attorney Nancy O’Malley, prosecutors concluded they did not have enough evidence to bring criminal charges against the three officers in connection with Gonzalez’s death.

“We have seen many thoughts and prayers about the police killing of Tyre Nichols in Memphis, Tennessee. The people of Tennessee want accountability, and so do the people of Alameda County,” Price said in a statement Tuesday. “I promised responsibility.

Price also reopened investigations into seven other cases of police shootings or deaths in custody, such as Gonzalez.

O’Malley concluded last year that while Gonzalez’s death was ruled a homicide, the criminal charges could not be justified.

“After examining the evidence in this case,” prosecutors wrote last year, “the elements of the relevant crimes cannot be proven beyond reasonable doubt.”

Prosecutors said last year that their decision “is directly dependent on the ability to establish the elements of the crime beyond reasonable doubt.”

Gonzalez, 26, died on April 19, 2021 while being held outside 802 Oak St. in Alameda.

The cause of Gonzalez’s death was “the toxic effects of methamphetamine, the physiological stress of quarrels and restrictions, morbid obesity and alcoholism contributing to the process of dying,” according to the coroner’s autopsy report.

The policemen involved in Gonzalez’s death were James Fisher, Cameron Leahy, and Eric McKinley.

On Tuesday, city officials said one of the officers had left the department and two others were on duty. According to a report commissioned by the city, parking attendant Charles Clemmons was acquitted of violating Alameda police policy in connection with Gonzalez’s death.

Alameda city officials said they would cooperate with Price’s investigation. Price asked the city for proof of the death.

“What we hear first and foremost from families is that they want the police who kidnapped their loved ones to be held accountable,” said Cat Brooks, executive director of the Anti Police-Terror Project, which is working to stop the police violence against communities of color.

“Today, a necessary step towards prosecution was taken, and we expect these officers to be prosecuted and convicted next time,” Brooks added of eight newly opened cases in Alameda County.