Gross Negligence Leads to Death of San Joaquin Resident

In the wake of the heartrending incident, many are questioning whether Uh was purposely left inside the prison van to die.  While that may not have been the case, it is safe to say that the officers were grossly negligent in going about their duties upon returning from San Joaquin that night.

Chester Williams

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“While I have seen some discourse on social media to the effect that the officers intentionally left the young man in the van, I just can’t buy that.  I don’t think that they would do something like that and, again, to prove a person’s intent is extremely difficult.  Again, I say they are human beings and I don’t want anybody to think that I am trying to defend the police because I am not defending their actions.  I have said that what they did was wrong and it has to be dealt with, but at the same time I must be fair and I cannot make assertions that are not supported by evidence.  I cannot say that it was deliberately done, but certainly there was some degree of gross negligence and carelessness, and that is what we are looking at.”

Reporter

“Which will lead to a very hefty lawsuit, you expect.”

Chester Williams

“Well certainly, the family will have a right to sue and I am certain that they are going to sue and we have to pay the price.”

Reporter

“Sir, have you spoken with this police officers?  Are they saying that they simply forgot that man there?”

Chester Williams

“I would not speak with them.  That would be done by the investigators, but from what I am told, that is what they are saying that they forgot that they had the man in the van.  And again, remember that the police officers were working San Joaquin Fiesta, it’s a long day, you know, they are human beings and they get fatigued.”

 Reporter

“ruled out that they were not intoxicated, themselves?”

Chester Williams

“From what I am told by the officer who was in charge of the grounds, the officers were not drinking.”

Reporter

“Have they given a [blood] sample?”

Chester Williams

“We wouldn’t do samples for that, no.”