Castile family reacts to decision to charge Officer Yanez

MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - Following Ramsey County attorney John Choi’s decision, the attorney for the family of Philando Castile and Philando’s mother, Valerie, held a press conference.

On Wednesday, Ramsey County Attorney John Choi has charged St. Anthony Police Officer Jeronimo Yanez with second-degree manslaughter in the July 6 shooting death of Philando Castile. Choi concluded the use of deadly force was not justified.

In the press conference, Valerie Castile said she and her family stand behind John Choi’s decision. Valerie also called for peace and said she does not want protests to get “outrageous.”

The family’s attorney, Glenda Hatchett, called the charges against Officer Yanez a potential landmark case for the entire country when it comes to police use of deadly force.

“He was a son for all of us. The nation has to understand this is a tragedy and his final words before he died that he wasn’t going for the gun...is very, very, very compelling.” Hatchett said.

Hatchett said if she were prosecuting the case, she would have sought a more severe charge.