Justice for Andy Lopez Cruz! (d. 2013-10-22; Santa Rosa) [link]
"Andy’s Youth Suspended from School Over 6 month Anniversary Protest; Parents and Supporters to Gather at Cook Middle This Morning to Demand Admission"
2014-04-21 from "Justice Coalition for Andy Lopez":
Also see [http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20140422/articles/140429901?title=Students-walk-in-remembrance-of-Lopez].
At 7:55am Tuesday morning dozens of Andy’s Youth gathered in front of Cook Middle School in Santa Rosa to commemorate the 6-month anniversary of 13-year old Andy Lopez murdered 6 months ago by Sonoma County Deputy Sheriff Erick Gelhaus. The students held up signs in front of the school demanding that DA Ravitch immediately indict Deputy Gelhaus and that the Cook Principal and teachers cease making demeaning and disparaging comments about Andy – such as blaming Andy for his own death by not following “instructions”.
In response, the Cook principal and teachers grabbed the student protesters signs and locked the school gate prohibiting the students from entering the school premises. Unable to enter their classrooms, the protest marched to nearby Elsie HS to call on the Elsie students to join them. After marching past the police into the school building, demonstrators marched through the halls calling on their fellow students to walkout.
School administrators put Elsie on lockdown, locking classroom doors so no one could join the marchers.
Cook has sent word to the parents of at least 2 dozen Cook students that they have been suspended from school for the protest. It was not the students, but the administration that locked the gates and refused students entry.
Tomorrow – Wednesday April 22, 2014 at 7:45am, the suspended students, Andy’s Youth, their parents and members of the Justice Coalition will gather in front of Elsie to demand that the students be allowed to attend school and return to class.
Monday, April 21, 2014
Thursday, April 10, 2014
The Arrest of Ramon Cairo
Free Ramon Cairo! [link]
Statement from L@s Autonomous Brown Berets of Sonoma County [link]:
On December 10th, 2013, at about 4 in the afternoon, the Justice Coalition for Andy Lopez, under the Leadership of Ramon Cairo, decided to partake in a Civil, Silent, Demonstration, in City Hall, whereby the various members of the community (56 at the time), would carry 56 crosses, each cross paying Respects and representing each individual who has tragically, and unfortunately, died at the hands of law enforcement. This was done to protest the incompetence and collaboration in the murder of Andy Lopez that D.A. Jill Ravitch has demonstrated. She has done this by failing to criminally charge Deputy Erick Gelhaus, and delaying her ‘Decision’ to state to the public whether she will be filing criminal charges against this Deputy, for the crime of MURDER.
The emphasis was placed on the term ‘Silent’. The various City Council members that we have, were in session at the time, and I felt that there was no need to engage the council members or the public, for in this particular instance, I felt that the need to explain our presence was not there. I felt that the Crosses spoke for themselves, and were a testament to the heinous and overt, transgressions of the public’s trust, and Individuals’ Civil Rights and Liberties.
Upon reaching the City Council doors, we were met by a phalanx of officers, whom, with crossed-arms, vehemently refused, and barred our entry into what is first and foremost, a Public, Government, building whose primary purpose is to provide a venue for concerned citizens to voice their grievances, and complaints, to their elected officials. (I wish to note that this is a Constitutional Right, which We, are All entitled to.) and was, for all intents and purposes, essentially our position at the time. The Santa Rosa Police Dept. Officer who I directly engaged with, and spoke to, is named Officer Sloannen, however, the arresting officer is named Sargeant Bradley Conners. His story is that, while I was holding a bullhorn in one hand, and a cross in my other hand, he claims I was able to grab BOTH of his wrists, thereby utilizing the cross to hit him in his forehead.
(A preposterous claim, for I am the farthest thing from an octopus, or any other creature with more than 2 arms, so, I have provided a copy of the video).
Basically, when an officer tried to grab my wrist, to pull me into City Council Chambers, and thereby Falsely Arrest me, I attempted to establish some distance, (for I wanted to prevent being Falsely Accused, Falsely Charged, and go through the Injustice of The Amerikkkan Kangaroo Kourt System) now, the space is limited, for I was Leading this procession, Leading My People to voice their concerns against an extremely Prejudicial, Hateful, Confederacy of Swine, and in the course of this engagement, where I repeat, ‘I merely attempted to prevent my person from being Falsely Detained, or placed in Custody Under False Pretenses’; Sergeant Conners claims I Assaulted him.
I was not immediately arrested. Per Sergeant Conners testimony, his ‘fear of the crowd’ led to him feeling that he could not arrest me right then and there.
Various members of city council knew that the actions that various members of the police dept. engaged in were criminal in nature, for these were blatant violations of federal and state law, regardless of how it is ‘self-rationalized’. Therefore, we were given the entry we should have been given from the beginning, and it is at this point that I found it important to address the public. The Cowardice, and Lack of Leadership was exemplified by the Mayor of Santa Rosa, along with about 3-or 4 other council members, who ran from the room, in fear, not of the People, but of the Truth, that their collective Ineptitude, Bias, and Utter Disregard, for the Latino Community. The only ones who stayed to hear what The People had to say were Julie Combs, and Gary Wysocky. It was while these two Council Members attempted to speak to me, that about 9 to 10 officers forcefully, and violently threw me on the ground, claiming I was resisting arrest.
I was notified of my charges, almost 20 minutes after my arrest. I have just concluded my Preliminary trial, where due to the Arresting Officers Lies, and my lawyer, Mr. Izaak Schweiger, from The Law Firm Adams Fietz, beautiful cross-examination, I had my Felony charge of Assault on a Peace Officer dropped to a misdemeanor. My other two charges, Resisting Arrest, and Barring an Officer from Performing his Duties, will be heard along with my now misdemeanor Assault on a Peace Officer later this month. We are taking no deals, no breaks. I will take this to trial, for I fear no Lies, I fear no Swine. I believe in the Intellect of The People, and I believe the these Swines’ attempt to Obfuscate the Truth is readily visible to The People, and I Believe that The People are tired of being Trampled on, Subjugated, treated as sub-humans, and subject to threats.
Statement from L@s Autonomous Brown Berets of Sonoma County [link]:
On December 10th, 2013, at about 4 in the afternoon, the Justice Coalition for Andy Lopez, under the Leadership of Ramon Cairo, decided to partake in a Civil, Silent, Demonstration, in City Hall, whereby the various members of the community (56 at the time), would carry 56 crosses, each cross paying Respects and representing each individual who has tragically, and unfortunately, died at the hands of law enforcement. This was done to protest the incompetence and collaboration in the murder of Andy Lopez that D.A. Jill Ravitch has demonstrated. She has done this by failing to criminally charge Deputy Erick Gelhaus, and delaying her ‘Decision’ to state to the public whether she will be filing criminal charges against this Deputy, for the crime of MURDER.
The emphasis was placed on the term ‘Silent’. The various City Council members that we have, were in session at the time, and I felt that there was no need to engage the council members or the public, for in this particular instance, I felt that the need to explain our presence was not there. I felt that the Crosses spoke for themselves, and were a testament to the heinous and overt, transgressions of the public’s trust, and Individuals’ Civil Rights and Liberties.
Upon reaching the City Council doors, we were met by a phalanx of officers, whom, with crossed-arms, vehemently refused, and barred our entry into what is first and foremost, a Public, Government, building whose primary purpose is to provide a venue for concerned citizens to voice their grievances, and complaints, to their elected officials. (I wish to note that this is a Constitutional Right, which We, are All entitled to.) and was, for all intents and purposes, essentially our position at the time. The Santa Rosa Police Dept. Officer who I directly engaged with, and spoke to, is named Officer Sloannen, however, the arresting officer is named Sargeant Bradley Conners. His story is that, while I was holding a bullhorn in one hand, and a cross in my other hand, he claims I was able to grab BOTH of his wrists, thereby utilizing the cross to hit him in his forehead.
(A preposterous claim, for I am the farthest thing from an octopus, or any other creature with more than 2 arms, so, I have provided a copy of the video).
Basically, when an officer tried to grab my wrist, to pull me into City Council Chambers, and thereby Falsely Arrest me, I attempted to establish some distance, (for I wanted to prevent being Falsely Accused, Falsely Charged, and go through the Injustice of The Amerikkkan Kangaroo Kourt System) now, the space is limited, for I was Leading this procession, Leading My People to voice their concerns against an extremely Prejudicial, Hateful, Confederacy of Swine, and in the course of this engagement, where I repeat, ‘I merely attempted to prevent my person from being Falsely Detained, or placed in Custody Under False Pretenses’; Sergeant Conners claims I Assaulted him.
I was not immediately arrested. Per Sergeant Conners testimony, his ‘fear of the crowd’ led to him feeling that he could not arrest me right then and there.
Various members of city council knew that the actions that various members of the police dept. engaged in were criminal in nature, for these were blatant violations of federal and state law, regardless of how it is ‘self-rationalized’. Therefore, we were given the entry we should have been given from the beginning, and it is at this point that I found it important to address the public. The Cowardice, and Lack of Leadership was exemplified by the Mayor of Santa Rosa, along with about 3-or 4 other council members, who ran from the room, in fear, not of the People, but of the Truth, that their collective Ineptitude, Bias, and Utter Disregard, for the Latino Community. The only ones who stayed to hear what The People had to say were Julie Combs, and Gary Wysocky. It was while these two Council Members attempted to speak to me, that about 9 to 10 officers forcefully, and violently threw me on the ground, claiming I was resisting arrest.
I was notified of my charges, almost 20 minutes after my arrest. I have just concluded my Preliminary trial, where due to the Arresting Officers Lies, and my lawyer, Mr. Izaak Schweiger, from The Law Firm Adams Fietz, beautiful cross-examination, I had my Felony charge of Assault on a Peace Officer dropped to a misdemeanor. My other two charges, Resisting Arrest, and Barring an Officer from Performing his Duties, will be heard along with my now misdemeanor Assault on a Peace Officer later this month. We are taking no deals, no breaks. I will take this to trial, for I fear no Lies, I fear no Swine. I believe in the Intellect of The People, and I believe the these Swines’ attempt to Obfuscate the Truth is readily visible to The People, and I Believe that The People are tired of being Trampled on, Subjugated, treated as sub-humans, and subject to threats.
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
VPD Officer Involved Shooting of Ever Ramon Martinez
Vallejo Police Department [link]
"Vallejo police identify suspect killed in officer-involved shooting as Ever Ramon Martinez, 29, of Alameda County"
2014-04-09 by Tony Burchyns from "Vallejo Times-Herald" [http://www.timesheraldonline.com/breaking_news/ci_25532939/vallejo-police-kill-man-following-vehicle-pursuit]:
Vallejo police secure the scene and wait for paramedics at an officer-involved shooting and crash in the Mi Pueblo Food Center parking lot near Taco Bell on Solano Avenue in Vallejo on Wednesday. (Chris Riley/Times-Herald)
Vallejo police identified the man killed in an officer-involved shooting Wednesday as Ever Ramon Martinez, 29, of Alameda County.
Martinez was shot and killed following a high-speed vehicle pursuit that started in North Vallejo and ended about five miles away in the Mi Pueblo Food Center parking lot on Solano Avenue. Police said two officers opened fire on Martinez after he collided with their patrol cars and became locked under the bumper of one of them.
As Martinez tried to speed away, police said he spun around in such an erratic fashion that he risked hitting a civilian vehicle which contained a father and his children. After Martinez failed to obey the officers' commands to stop, police said the officers used deadly force.
Martinez has multiple addresses in Alameda County with no known local contacts in Solano County, Vallejo police Lt. Sid DeJesus said. He had an outstanding warrant for reckless driving out of San Benito County and a history of traffic-related violations dating back to 2002.
Martinez was never issued a driver license, DeJesus said.
The vehicle Martinez was driving was registered to someone in Hayward who police believe may be related to Martinez.
Events began unfolding around 3 p.m. Wednesday when patrol officers pulled a gold sport utility vehicle over on Sonoma Boulevard near Meadows Drive because its registration had expired. After one of the officers got out and approached, the driver — Martinez — sped away, police said.
A high-speed chase ensued on eastbound Highway 37 during which the driver exceeded 90 miles per hour and at times drove in the shoulder. The officers lost sight of the SUV and terminated the pursuit, putting out a description of the suspect's vehicle.
Moments later, two other patrol officers picked up the vehicle on westbound Interstate 80. DeJesus said Martinez — who was the lone occupant — was driving erratically and was hitting call boxes.
The officers got behind the vehicle and tried to pull it over, but it failed to yield. The suspect eventually left the freeway and turned into the parking lot of the Mi Pueblo Food Center. He continued driving erratically, hitting cars in the parking lot, police said.
At some point, Martinez turned the vehicle around and came at the officers, ramming both patrol cars numerous times.
One officer fired through his own windshield at Martinez. Witnesses reported hearing several shots, but police have not confirmed how many rounds were fired or how many hit Martinez.
Martinez was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The officers weren't injured.
Police said they are still investigating the incident. They haven't commented on whether Martinez was armed. It's unclear if he was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, DeJesus said, because toxicology tests are still pending.
"Vallejo police identify suspect killed in officer-involved shooting as Ever Ramon Martinez, 29, of Alameda County"
2014-04-09 by Tony Burchyns from "Vallejo Times-Herald" [http://www.timesheraldonline.com/breaking_news/ci_25532939/vallejo-police-kill-man-following-vehicle-pursuit]:
Vallejo police secure the scene and wait for paramedics at an officer-involved shooting and crash in the Mi Pueblo Food Center parking lot near Taco Bell on Solano Avenue in Vallejo on Wednesday. (Chris Riley/Times-Herald)
Vallejo police identified the man killed in an officer-involved shooting Wednesday as Ever Ramon Martinez, 29, of Alameda County.
Martinez was shot and killed following a high-speed vehicle pursuit that started in North Vallejo and ended about five miles away in the Mi Pueblo Food Center parking lot on Solano Avenue. Police said two officers opened fire on Martinez after he collided with their patrol cars and became locked under the bumper of one of them.
As Martinez tried to speed away, police said he spun around in such an erratic fashion that he risked hitting a civilian vehicle which contained a father and his children. After Martinez failed to obey the officers' commands to stop, police said the officers used deadly force.
Martinez has multiple addresses in Alameda County with no known local contacts in Solano County, Vallejo police Lt. Sid DeJesus said. He had an outstanding warrant for reckless driving out of San Benito County and a history of traffic-related violations dating back to 2002.
Martinez was never issued a driver license, DeJesus said.
The vehicle Martinez was driving was registered to someone in Hayward who police believe may be related to Martinez.
Events began unfolding around 3 p.m. Wednesday when patrol officers pulled a gold sport utility vehicle over on Sonoma Boulevard near Meadows Drive because its registration had expired. After one of the officers got out and approached, the driver — Martinez — sped away, police said.
A high-speed chase ensued on eastbound Highway 37 during which the driver exceeded 90 miles per hour and at times drove in the shoulder. The officers lost sight of the SUV and terminated the pursuit, putting out a description of the suspect's vehicle.
Moments later, two other patrol officers picked up the vehicle on westbound Interstate 80. DeJesus said Martinez — who was the lone occupant — was driving erratically and was hitting call boxes.
The officers got behind the vehicle and tried to pull it over, but it failed to yield. The suspect eventually left the freeway and turned into the parking lot of the Mi Pueblo Food Center. He continued driving erratically, hitting cars in the parking lot, police said.
At some point, Martinez turned the vehicle around and came at the officers, ramming both patrol cars numerous times.
One officer fired through his own windshield at Martinez. Witnesses reported hearing several shots, but police have not confirmed how many rounds were fired or how many hit Martinez.
Martinez was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The officers weren't injured.
Police said they are still investigating the incident. They haven't commented on whether Martinez was armed. It's unclear if he was under the influence of drugs or alcohol, DeJesus said, because toxicology tests are still pending.
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Justice for Andy Lopez! Independent Autopsy Report shows how Andy was executed by Sonoma County Sheriff's Deputy
Justice for Andy Lopez Cruz! (d. 2013-10-22; Santa Rosa) [link]
[begin document]
[begin page 1]
Report of independent autopsy of Andy Lopez, as requested by Atty. Arnoldo Casillas, prepared by A. Jay Chapman, MD, Forensic Pathologist, with Medicolegal lnvestigations, 4149 Chanate Road, Santa Rosa, California 95404
Name: Lopez, Andy.
Case No. 13102601
Age: 13
Gender: Male
Race / Ethnicity: Hispanic
Date of Birth: 2000-06-20
Date of Death: 2013-10-22
Hour of Death: 15:27
Hour and Date of Autopsy: 11:10, 2013-10-26, Romano Windsor-Healdsburg Mortuary, Windsor, CA
Findings
1. Gunshot wound to chest, penetrating, involving lungs, mediastinum, vertebral column, and left fourth rib.
2. Gunshot wound to left arm, superficial perforating.
3. Gunshot wound to left wrist, penetrating.
4. Gunshot wound to right wrist, superficial, perforating.
5. Gunshot wound to right, lateral buttock, penetrating, involving abdominal wall, liver, right 12th rib, and
diaphragm.
6. Gunshot wound to right buttock, penetrating, involving soft tissues.
7. Gunshot wound to lower back, penetrating, involving soft tissues'
8. Contusion, right lateral buttock.
9. Negligible scattered abrasions.
10. Body previously autopsied and embalmed.
[end page 1]
[begin page 2]
Weight: est. 140 lbs.
Length: 63.5 in
Hair: Black, short
Irides:
Pupils: O.D. mm O.S. mm
Anomalies: (Eyes not examined)
Mustache: None
Beard: None
Circumcision: No
Rigor Mortis: Embalmed
Livor Mortis: Embalmed with minimal posterior lividity
(Note: This autopsy is performed jointly by the two forensic pathologists whose signatures appear on this report)
The embalmed body, identified by Mr. Carmine Romano, is that of a young Hispanic male, unclothed, with sutured customary y-shaped thoracoabdominal incision and sutured bitemporal scalp incision consistent with previous autopsy examination. Skin defects are present in multiple locations. Each of these has been very tightly sutured closed, and in several instances their nature is not evident upon initial examination. The sutured incisions and some other defects are covered with plastic film and/or fluffy cotton, characteristic of the embalming process.
Initially, each defect is diagrammed (see the four attached sheets) as to location, and they are further characterized as the postmortem sutures are removed.
The head is normocephalic and free from injuries, save-a 0.25-inch minimal abrasion at the mid inferior orbit.
Aside from the diagrammed defects the abdomen is scaphoid and free from other injuries. No tattoos are present anywhere on the body.
A fresh 2 x 1.5-inch contusion involves the lateral right buttock inferior to the iliac crest and just dorsal to the anterior superior iliac spine. Immediately inferior to this contusion is a slightly curvilinear 1.75-inch linear abrasion'
In approximately the posterior axillary line on the right immediately inferior to the rib cage is a diagonally oriented 7'25 linear abrasion.
On the proximal most aspect of the right leg on the posterior/posterolateral surface immediately inferior to the popliteal fossa is a 2.5 by up to approximately 0'5 inch focus of punctate abrasions.
A single punctate abrasion is present on the posterolateral aspect of the right mid thigh.
In the middle portion of the distal third of the posterior/posterolateral right thigh is a slight 0'25-inch abrasion.
A 7.25 inch postmortem incision is present in the intergluteal cleft beginning immediately superior to the anus and extending superiorly to the superior extent of the cleft and thence curving gently leftward. This incision cannot now be associated with any other injury, specifically with no gunfire injury. The depths of the incision lay bare a portion of the left ischial tuberosity, but there is no identifiable extravasated blood in the area.
Description of Gunfire Injuries -
None of these injuries displays any secondary effects of gunfire: no tattooing and no stippling. The numbering of the gunfire injuries is for descriptive purposes only and is not intended to indicate order in which the wounds were inflicted or their severity.
Gunshot wound #1 (#1 on diagram) is located in the right anterior chest 16.5 inches from the plane of the top of the head and 1 5/8 inches right of the anterior midline left of the nipple. The skin perforation is 1/2 x 7/16 inch with a 3/16-inch abrasion cuff and a 1/16-in latetal and medial abrasion cuff.
[end page 2]
[begin page 3]
This wound is directed dorsally at an angle of approximately 20 degrees superiorily and approximately 50 degrees to the left. It sequentially perforates the skin, the soft tissue of the third intocostal space, all three lobes of the right lung (inferior, middle and superior), the superior mediastinum, the left upper robe of lung, and the left fourth rib approximately 5 cm left of the spinal column. No exit wound is present. A section of vertebral bodies has been removed in this area, and apparently the wound involved the body of one of the vertebrae at least superficially. There is an overlying incision (#8 on the diagram) from where, presumably, a projectile was recovered. Whether the aorta was perforated or not cannot be determined from the recovered (from the viscera bag) approximately 3-cm segment of the artery, but extravasated blood is present in the external layers of the artery near the great vessels, and the artery appears torn rather than cut. These findings are consistent with perforation or transection of the aorta by the projectile.
Gunshot wound #2 (#2 on diagram) is a superficial perforating wound of the lateral aspect of the mid left arm. The wound path is essentially in the horizontal plane and directed anterior to posterior. The wound is 6 inches inferior to the top of the shoulder and 15.5 inches inferior to the plane of the top of the head. The entry is 1 x 0.5 inch with a well-defined medial abrasion cuff. The exit, less than one inch distant dorsally, is 1/4 x 3 /16 inch.
Gunshot wound #3 (#3 on diagram) is located on the lateral surface of the distal left forearm, approximately four inches proximal to the wrist. The entry of this penetrating wound is 1/2 x 3/8 inch, and it is associated with a palpable fracture of the distal left radius. The incision (diagrammed as #4) along the medial aspect of the left wrist and hand, is presumably an incision made to recover the projectile. The direction of this wound appears to be medial and inferior.
Gunshot wound #4 (#5 and #6 on diagram) is a perforating wound of the right wrist directed from medial to lateral in the coronal and horizontal planes with a 5/16 x 1/2 inch entry on the medial aspect of the right wrist and a simple 9 /1'6 x 5/16 inch irregular laceration of the lateral aspect of the wrist. Bony involvement is not demonstrated.
Gunshot wound #5 (#7 on diagram) is a penetrating wound with a 5/16 x 1/2 inch entry on the lateral right buttock, 30.25 inches inferior to the plane of the top of the head and, following the body contour, 7.25 inches right from the posterior midline. The abrasion cuff is skewed inferiorily. This wound is directed primarily superiorily to enter the abdominal cavity in the posterolateral abdominal wall and involve the liver and the lateral end of the twelfth rib, which is fractured. Extravasated blood is found in this region involving the diaphragm, which is not perforated, and is presumably the resting place of the projectle. The dorsolateral aspect of the right lobe of the liver is fragmented and pulpefied in an area up to approximately 10.3 cm. Hemorrhage is present beneath the capsule in the surrounding area'
Gunshot wound #6 (#11 on diagram) is a penetrating wound with a 1/4-inch entry in the lateral right buttock 32.5 inches from the plane of the top of the head and, following the contour of the body, 6.75 inches right of the posterior midline. The path of this wound cannot be definitively demonstrated, but a 5.75-inch postmortem incision of the posterolateral inferior buttock is adjacent to this wound, and extravasated blood is present in the area adjacent to the bone. These findings are consistent with a projectile having been recovered from this region.
Gunshot wound #7 (#10 on diagram) is in the inferior back 28.25 inches from the plane of the top of the head and 1.75 inches right of the posterior midline. The entry is 1/2 x 3/8 inch, and the wound path of contusive laceration is directed acutely superiorily and medially to terminate in the region of an incision (#9 on diagram), presumably made for recovery of the projectile, in the mid lower back, 2.25 inches inferior to the plane of the top of the head and 1/2 inch left of the posterior midline.
Internal Examination -
The previous Y-incision of the thorax and abdomen is reopened and reveals an abdominal panniculus of 23 mm. Hardening compound is abundant and the viscera are contained within a plastic bag with preservative chemicals.
Serous Cavities -
The internal organs have been removed and are contained within a bag, as noted above. These organs and tissues are examined with the following findings:
[end page 3]
[begin page 4]
* The 225-gm right lung has a path of contusive laceration that involves all three lobes, and minimal dissection has been performed. The 187-gm left lung has a short path of contusive laceration involving the upper lobe. Incisions of the parenchyma are minimal. The pulmonury parenchyma is otherwise unremarkable.
* The stomach is empty and has only an approximately 3-cm incision into its wall. It was not otherwise opened. Further dissection reveals normal mucosa, pylorus, and proximal segment of duodenum.
* The 230-gm heart has been minimally dissected with cursory sectioning of the coronary arteries and opening of the organ in the customary dissection by flow of blood. A minimal hemorrhagic focus involves the right atrium in the atrioventricular region. No anomalies are identified with further dissection.
* The 109-gram spleen is intact, save for a single superficial incision through the mid portion. The patenchyma appears normal with visible Malpighian corpuscles.
* The gallbladder is previously opened and is unremarkable.
* The 1150-gm liver has minimal dissection with only three relatively superficial incisions of the right lobe.
The dorsolateral aspect of the right lobe is involved by a gunshot wound, as noted above.
* The trachea has been opened at the larynx, but the esophagus is.intact, except for sectioning of its superior extent. The thyroid appears normal and only the right lobe is previously dissected.
* A fragrnent of pancreas is identified and appears normal'
* A segment of aorta, apparently part of the arch with apparent great vessel stubs, is recovered and has hemorrhagic external areas, but whether or not perforated cannot be determined.
* The brain has multiple incomplete sections that remain together. The cerebellum is hemisectioned, and the brainstem is sectioned sagittally.
* The kidneys have been hemi-sectioned, and the aggregate of the organ pieces is 159 gm. The testes are present within the scrotum.
* The intestines appear normal, and the vermiform appendix is present.
Skeletal System -
Fractures and bony alteratrons associated with the gunshot wounds have beeo delineated. A section of the symphysis pubis is absent postmortem. There are no other demonstrable fractures. (Radiography is not available.)
The skull is reopened and is found intact, save for previous opening, with no anomalies demonstrated.
Person(s) Present -
Mortuary owner,Carmine Romano.
Procedures -
Photography,
Tissues stored.
[end page 4]
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[begin page 7]
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[begin page 8]
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[begin page 9]
* Pay attention to Gun Shot Wound #1 (#1 on diagram page 5) - enters body to right of the right nipple passing through both lungs & top of heart stopping at the 4th upper left rear rib where bullet lodged.
* Pay attention to Gun Shot Wound #3 (#3 on diagram page 7) - enters thumb side of forearm 4 inches from wrist. This is the hand that was holding the toy rifle. Removal of bullet was at outside of left wrist.
* Pay attention to Gun Shot Wound #5 (#7 on diagram page 8) - enters lateral right buttock and travels horizontally into the body abdominal cavity hitting liver and fracturing the lateral end of the twelfth rib.
* Pay attention to Gun Shot Wound #6 (#11 on diagram page 8) - right pelvic area stops the bullet.
* Pay attention to Gun Shot Wound#7 (#10 on diagram page 5) - enters right backside at waist at an angle traveling upward into body mass.
All five bullets were removed by the sheriff’s coroner.
Think about the bullet’s paths into Andy Lopez’s body.
Visualize how GSW#1 enters the torso?
Visualize how GSW#3 hits the forearm and travels to wrist?
Visualize how all the GSWs go into Andy Lopez’s Body.
You determine if Andy Lopez was given time to respond to a questionable command from Deputy Sheriff Gelhaus? The barrage of 8 bullets stopped less than 10 seconds (a burst of 3 followed by another burst of 5) after Deputy Sheriff Gelhaus encountered the boy!
You determine if excessive lethal force was applied?
You determine if Andy’s constitutional rights were violated?
Good governance requires that we question, probe, initiate proposals for discussions and follow through on concerns regarding Law Enforcement.
[end page 9]
[end document]
[begin document]
[begin page 1]
Report of independent autopsy of Andy Lopez, as requested by Atty. Arnoldo Casillas, prepared by A. Jay Chapman, MD, Forensic Pathologist, with Medicolegal lnvestigations, 4149 Chanate Road, Santa Rosa, California 95404
Name: Lopez, Andy.
Case No. 13102601
Age: 13
Gender: Male
Race / Ethnicity: Hispanic
Date of Birth: 2000-06-20
Date of Death: 2013-10-22
Hour of Death: 15:27
Hour and Date of Autopsy: 11:10, 2013-10-26, Romano Windsor-Healdsburg Mortuary, Windsor, CA
Findings
1. Gunshot wound to chest, penetrating, involving lungs, mediastinum, vertebral column, and left fourth rib.
2. Gunshot wound to left arm, superficial perforating.
3. Gunshot wound to left wrist, penetrating.
4. Gunshot wound to right wrist, superficial, perforating.
5. Gunshot wound to right, lateral buttock, penetrating, involving abdominal wall, liver, right 12th rib, and
diaphragm.
6. Gunshot wound to right buttock, penetrating, involving soft tissues.
7. Gunshot wound to lower back, penetrating, involving soft tissues'
8. Contusion, right lateral buttock.
9. Negligible scattered abrasions.
10. Body previously autopsied and embalmed.
[end page 1]
[begin page 2]
Weight: est. 140 lbs.
Length: 63.5 in
Hair: Black, short
Irides:
Pupils: O.D. mm O.S. mm
Anomalies: (Eyes not examined)
Mustache: None
Beard: None
Circumcision: No
Rigor Mortis: Embalmed
Livor Mortis: Embalmed with minimal posterior lividity
(Note: This autopsy is performed jointly by the two forensic pathologists whose signatures appear on this report)
The embalmed body, identified by Mr. Carmine Romano, is that of a young Hispanic male, unclothed, with sutured customary y-shaped thoracoabdominal incision and sutured bitemporal scalp incision consistent with previous autopsy examination. Skin defects are present in multiple locations. Each of these has been very tightly sutured closed, and in several instances their nature is not evident upon initial examination. The sutured incisions and some other defects are covered with plastic film and/or fluffy cotton, characteristic of the embalming process.
Initially, each defect is diagrammed (see the four attached sheets) as to location, and they are further characterized as the postmortem sutures are removed.
The head is normocephalic and free from injuries, save-a 0.25-inch minimal abrasion at the mid inferior orbit.
Aside from the diagrammed defects the abdomen is scaphoid and free from other injuries. No tattoos are present anywhere on the body.
A fresh 2 x 1.5-inch contusion involves the lateral right buttock inferior to the iliac crest and just dorsal to the anterior superior iliac spine. Immediately inferior to this contusion is a slightly curvilinear 1.75-inch linear abrasion'
In approximately the posterior axillary line on the right immediately inferior to the rib cage is a diagonally oriented 7'25 linear abrasion.
On the proximal most aspect of the right leg on the posterior/posterolateral surface immediately inferior to the popliteal fossa is a 2.5 by up to approximately 0'5 inch focus of punctate abrasions.
A single punctate abrasion is present on the posterolateral aspect of the right mid thigh.
In the middle portion of the distal third of the posterior/posterolateral right thigh is a slight 0'25-inch abrasion.
A 7.25 inch postmortem incision is present in the intergluteal cleft beginning immediately superior to the anus and extending superiorly to the superior extent of the cleft and thence curving gently leftward. This incision cannot now be associated with any other injury, specifically with no gunfire injury. The depths of the incision lay bare a portion of the left ischial tuberosity, but there is no identifiable extravasated blood in the area.
Description of Gunfire Injuries -
None of these injuries displays any secondary effects of gunfire: no tattooing and no stippling. The numbering of the gunfire injuries is for descriptive purposes only and is not intended to indicate order in which the wounds were inflicted or their severity.
Gunshot wound #1 (#1 on diagram) is located in the right anterior chest 16.5 inches from the plane of the top of the head and 1 5/8 inches right of the anterior midline left of the nipple. The skin perforation is 1/2 x 7/16 inch with a 3/16-inch abrasion cuff and a 1/16-in latetal and medial abrasion cuff.
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This wound is directed dorsally at an angle of approximately 20 degrees superiorily and approximately 50 degrees to the left. It sequentially perforates the skin, the soft tissue of the third intocostal space, all three lobes of the right lung (inferior, middle and superior), the superior mediastinum, the left upper robe of lung, and the left fourth rib approximately 5 cm left of the spinal column. No exit wound is present. A section of vertebral bodies has been removed in this area, and apparently the wound involved the body of one of the vertebrae at least superficially. There is an overlying incision (#8 on the diagram) from where, presumably, a projectile was recovered. Whether the aorta was perforated or not cannot be determined from the recovered (from the viscera bag) approximately 3-cm segment of the artery, but extravasated blood is present in the external layers of the artery near the great vessels, and the artery appears torn rather than cut. These findings are consistent with perforation or transection of the aorta by the projectile.
Gunshot wound #2 (#2 on diagram) is a superficial perforating wound of the lateral aspect of the mid left arm. The wound path is essentially in the horizontal plane and directed anterior to posterior. The wound is 6 inches inferior to the top of the shoulder and 15.5 inches inferior to the plane of the top of the head. The entry is 1 x 0.5 inch with a well-defined medial abrasion cuff. The exit, less than one inch distant dorsally, is 1/4 x 3 /16 inch.
Gunshot wound #3 (#3 on diagram) is located on the lateral surface of the distal left forearm, approximately four inches proximal to the wrist. The entry of this penetrating wound is 1/2 x 3/8 inch, and it is associated with a palpable fracture of the distal left radius. The incision (diagrammed as #4) along the medial aspect of the left wrist and hand, is presumably an incision made to recover the projectile. The direction of this wound appears to be medial and inferior.
Gunshot wound #4 (#5 and #6 on diagram) is a perforating wound of the right wrist directed from medial to lateral in the coronal and horizontal planes with a 5/16 x 1/2 inch entry on the medial aspect of the right wrist and a simple 9 /1'6 x 5/16 inch irregular laceration of the lateral aspect of the wrist. Bony involvement is not demonstrated.
Gunshot wound #5 (#7 on diagram) is a penetrating wound with a 5/16 x 1/2 inch entry on the lateral right buttock, 30.25 inches inferior to the plane of the top of the head and, following the body contour, 7.25 inches right from the posterior midline. The abrasion cuff is skewed inferiorily. This wound is directed primarily superiorily to enter the abdominal cavity in the posterolateral abdominal wall and involve the liver and the lateral end of the twelfth rib, which is fractured. Extravasated blood is found in this region involving the diaphragm, which is not perforated, and is presumably the resting place of the projectle. The dorsolateral aspect of the right lobe of the liver is fragmented and pulpefied in an area up to approximately 10.3 cm. Hemorrhage is present beneath the capsule in the surrounding area'
Gunshot wound #6 (#11 on diagram) is a penetrating wound with a 1/4-inch entry in the lateral right buttock 32.5 inches from the plane of the top of the head and, following the contour of the body, 6.75 inches right of the posterior midline. The path of this wound cannot be definitively demonstrated, but a 5.75-inch postmortem incision of the posterolateral inferior buttock is adjacent to this wound, and extravasated blood is present in the area adjacent to the bone. These findings are consistent with a projectile having been recovered from this region.
Gunshot wound #7 (#10 on diagram) is in the inferior back 28.25 inches from the plane of the top of the head and 1.75 inches right of the posterior midline. The entry is 1/2 x 3/8 inch, and the wound path of contusive laceration is directed acutely superiorily and medially to terminate in the region of an incision (#9 on diagram), presumably made for recovery of the projectile, in the mid lower back, 2.25 inches inferior to the plane of the top of the head and 1/2 inch left of the posterior midline.
Internal Examination -
The previous Y-incision of the thorax and abdomen is reopened and reveals an abdominal panniculus of 23 mm. Hardening compound is abundant and the viscera are contained within a plastic bag with preservative chemicals.
Serous Cavities -
The internal organs have been removed and are contained within a bag, as noted above. These organs and tissues are examined with the following findings:
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* The 225-gm right lung has a path of contusive laceration that involves all three lobes, and minimal dissection has been performed. The 187-gm left lung has a short path of contusive laceration involving the upper lobe. Incisions of the parenchyma are minimal. The pulmonury parenchyma is otherwise unremarkable.
* The stomach is empty and has only an approximately 3-cm incision into its wall. It was not otherwise opened. Further dissection reveals normal mucosa, pylorus, and proximal segment of duodenum.
* The 230-gm heart has been minimally dissected with cursory sectioning of the coronary arteries and opening of the organ in the customary dissection by flow of blood. A minimal hemorrhagic focus involves the right atrium in the atrioventricular region. No anomalies are identified with further dissection.
* The 109-gram spleen is intact, save for a single superficial incision through the mid portion. The patenchyma appears normal with visible Malpighian corpuscles.
* The gallbladder is previously opened and is unremarkable.
* The 1150-gm liver has minimal dissection with only three relatively superficial incisions of the right lobe.
The dorsolateral aspect of the right lobe is involved by a gunshot wound, as noted above.
* The trachea has been opened at the larynx, but the esophagus is.intact, except for sectioning of its superior extent. The thyroid appears normal and only the right lobe is previously dissected.
* A fragrnent of pancreas is identified and appears normal'
* A segment of aorta, apparently part of the arch with apparent great vessel stubs, is recovered and has hemorrhagic external areas, but whether or not perforated cannot be determined.
* The brain has multiple incomplete sections that remain together. The cerebellum is hemisectioned, and the brainstem is sectioned sagittally.
* The kidneys have been hemi-sectioned, and the aggregate of the organ pieces is 159 gm. The testes are present within the scrotum.
* The intestines appear normal, and the vermiform appendix is present.
Skeletal System -
Fractures and bony alteratrons associated with the gunshot wounds have beeo delineated. A section of the symphysis pubis is absent postmortem. There are no other demonstrable fractures. (Radiography is not available.)
The skull is reopened and is found intact, save for previous opening, with no anomalies demonstrated.
Person(s) Present -
Mortuary owner,Carmine Romano.
Procedures -
Photography,
Tissues stored.
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* Pay attention to Gun Shot Wound #1 (#1 on diagram page 5) - enters body to right of the right nipple passing through both lungs & top of heart stopping at the 4th upper left rear rib where bullet lodged.
* Pay attention to Gun Shot Wound #3 (#3 on diagram page 7) - enters thumb side of forearm 4 inches from wrist. This is the hand that was holding the toy rifle. Removal of bullet was at outside of left wrist.
* Pay attention to Gun Shot Wound #5 (#7 on diagram page 8) - enters lateral right buttock and travels horizontally into the body abdominal cavity hitting liver and fracturing the lateral end of the twelfth rib.
* Pay attention to Gun Shot Wound #6 (#11 on diagram page 8) - right pelvic area stops the bullet.
* Pay attention to Gun Shot Wound#7 (#10 on diagram page 5) - enters right backside at waist at an angle traveling upward into body mass.
All five bullets were removed by the sheriff’s coroner.
Think about the bullet’s paths into Andy Lopez’s body.
Visualize how GSW#1 enters the torso?
Visualize how GSW#3 hits the forearm and travels to wrist?
Visualize how all the GSWs go into Andy Lopez’s Body.
You determine if Andy Lopez was given time to respond to a questionable command from Deputy Sheriff Gelhaus? The barrage of 8 bullets stopped less than 10 seconds (a burst of 3 followed by another burst of 5) after Deputy Sheriff Gelhaus encountered the boy!
You determine if excessive lethal force was applied?
You determine if Andy’s constitutional rights were violated?
Good governance requires that we question, probe, initiate proposals for discussions and follow through on concerns regarding Law Enforcement.
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[end document]
"Lopez Protestors to Confront DA Ravitch With Conclusive Autopsy Evidence of Deputy Gelhaus Criminal Liability for the Shooting of Andy Lopez"
Justice for Andy Lopez Cruz! (d. 2013-10-22; Santa Rosa) [link]
2014-04-08 from "Justice for Andy Lopez" coalition:
On April 18th at 11:30 a.m. at the Fountain Grove Inn, 101 FountainGrove Pkwy in Santa Rosa, Justice for Andy Lopez demonstrators will once again confront DA Jill Ravitch to demand that she immediately Indict Deputy Sheriff Gelhaus for the wonton shooting of 13-year old Andy Lopez on Oct. 22nd in the Moorland Latino area of Santa Rosa.
To substantiate the criminal liability case against Deputy Gelhaus, protestors plan to hand out copies of an independent autopsy conducted after Andy’s death by an independent coroner. That autopsy, based entirely on scientific evidence, dispositively proves that Deputy Gelhaus shot and killed Andy as he was turning to face the Deputy and could not have raised his toy gun to point it at Deputy Gelhaus. The first bullet entered Andy’s side piercing his heart. The autopsy further evidences the fact that the trajectory of the remaining bullets pumped into Andy were fired as he was falling to the ground or had already hit the ground.
Demonstrators also plan to distribute a video recording of DA Ravitch’s investigator Les Vanderpool violently assaulting a Lopez demonstrator. The incident in question stems from a Dec. 3, 2013 picket line in front of the Veterans Memorial Building where DA Ravitch was holding a Pasta Feed to raise campaign funds.Justice Coalition for Andy Lopez demonstrators had gathered with picket signs to demand that Ms. Ravitch recuse herself from reviewing the Erick Gelhaus shooting of Andy Lopez as Ms. Ravitch holds a strong bias in favor of the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department.
According to a December 5th letter sent by a Santa Rosa attorney Alicia Roman to DA Ravitch, “During the event [Pasta Feed] I witnessed Sonoma County District Attorney investigator Les Vanderpool assault three individuals.” Per the Dec. 5th letter, Ms. Roman offered to show Ms. Ravitch a video taken on the spot showing Mr. Vanderpool’s assaulting a young woman. “To this end I would be willing to meet with you to share the video which reveals Mr. Vanderpool’s actions.”
2014-04-08 from "Justice for Andy Lopez" coalition:
On April 18th at 11:30 a.m. at the Fountain Grove Inn, 101 FountainGrove Pkwy in Santa Rosa, Justice for Andy Lopez demonstrators will once again confront DA Jill Ravitch to demand that she immediately Indict Deputy Sheriff Gelhaus for the wonton shooting of 13-year old Andy Lopez on Oct. 22nd in the Moorland Latino area of Santa Rosa.
To substantiate the criminal liability case against Deputy Gelhaus, protestors plan to hand out copies of an independent autopsy conducted after Andy’s death by an independent coroner. That autopsy, based entirely on scientific evidence, dispositively proves that Deputy Gelhaus shot and killed Andy as he was turning to face the Deputy and could not have raised his toy gun to point it at Deputy Gelhaus. The first bullet entered Andy’s side piercing his heart. The autopsy further evidences the fact that the trajectory of the remaining bullets pumped into Andy were fired as he was falling to the ground or had already hit the ground.
Demonstrators also plan to distribute a video recording of DA Ravitch’s investigator Les Vanderpool violently assaulting a Lopez demonstrator. The incident in question stems from a Dec. 3, 2013 picket line in front of the Veterans Memorial Building where DA Ravitch was holding a Pasta Feed to raise campaign funds.Justice Coalition for Andy Lopez demonstrators had gathered with picket signs to demand that Ms. Ravitch recuse herself from reviewing the Erick Gelhaus shooting of Andy Lopez as Ms. Ravitch holds a strong bias in favor of the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department.
According to a December 5th letter sent by a Santa Rosa attorney Alicia Roman to DA Ravitch, “During the event [Pasta Feed] I witnessed Sonoma County District Attorney investigator Les Vanderpool assault three individuals.” Per the Dec. 5th letter, Ms. Roman offered to show Ms. Ravitch a video taken on the spot showing Mr. Vanderpool’s assaulting a young woman. “To this end I would be willing to meet with you to share the video which reveals Mr. Vanderpool’s actions.”
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