Attorneys for Blane Salamoni, Howie Lake II prepare for state criminal investigation
The attorney representing Blane Salamoni, the Baton Rouge police officer whose gunshots killed Alton Sterling, said Wednesday (May 3) he’s “relieved” that the U. S. Justice Department decided not to file federal criminal charges. “It’s been a long 10 months, and it’s certainly been frustrating at times, ” said John McLindon, Salamoni’s attorney.
“But having heard the U. S. attorney go into exhaustive detail about their investigation of the case, I can understand why it took so long. It was a thorough investigation, and every person involved felt they could not prosecute. There was no criminal conduct.”
McLindon’s comments came after federal prosecutors disclosed that Sterling was carrying a loaded .38-caliber revolver in his pants pocket during the July 5 struggle with Salamoni and officer Howie Lake II in the parking lot of the Triple S Food Mart. That helped justify Salamoni’s actions, acting U. S. Attorney Corey Amundson said. Investigators could not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that either officer violated Sterling’s civil rights, Amundson said.
Asked how Salamoni reacted to the decision, McLindon said: “He’s relieved, but that’s only temporary because we have to deal with the state investigation. This has been very stressful for him and his family. His life is in limbo.”
Lake’s attorney, Fred Crifasi, said his client, too, was “relieved” by the Justice Department’s decision. But Crifasi added: “He is aware that this investigation is now in the hands of the attorney general for the state of Louisiana. Accordingly, he will continue to refrain from publicly commenting on the facts of the case.”
An attorney for two of Sterling’s sons said Salamoni pointed a gun at Sterling’s head and threatened to shoot him even before the struggle on the ground was recorded on widely shared phone video. Attorney Chris Stewart said he was told during a meeting with Justice Department officials that Salamoni said, “I’m going to shoot you, bitch.” McLindon, citing the state investigation, would not comment on that report.
What was clear from those representing Sterling’s family is this: They can accept that Lake, who they say tried to de-escalate the confrontation, is not facing criminal charges. But they want Salamoni held responsible for Sterling’s death.
Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry said he will ask State Police to investigate whether state charges are warranted. “Once [State Police] and our assigned prosecutor have reviewed the materials generated by the federal government’s civil rights investigation and have conducted any further investigation necessary, my office will meet with them to review their findings, evaluate the evidence and make the appropriate prosecutorial decision, ” Landry said.
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JR Ball is a state correspondent with NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune in Baton Rouge. Email him at jrball@nola.com. You can also keep up with his local updates on Twitter (@jrball35) , Facebook (jrball) and Google+ (+JRBall) .
