Sonoma County Sheriff's Deputy Eric Gelhaus will not be tried in the shooting of Andy Lopez. Jill Ravitch the Sonoma County District Attorney fresh from re-election has ruled that her office will not pursue charges against Officer Gelhaus because she said that he was
lawfully acting in defense of himself or others, and no basis for seeking criminal charges exists,”
. Andy was walking along with a toy gun when the Deputy and another "trainee" pulled up behind him, Gelhaus got out of the car and shouted at Andy and when the kid turned, Officer Gelhaus shot him 7 times. The "trainee" never fired a shot.
I don't have a lot to add, my law partner asked me when we heard the news, "didn't you have a little voice in your head saying that 'there will be justice'". I did hear that voice, but I don't now.
Deputy Gelhaus remains on the force, in good standing. Andy remains dead.