Family of man shot, killed by officer to receive $4.9 million from Contra Costa County

ByTony Hicks, Bay City News
Wednesday, October 27, 2021
Danville officer convicted in 2018 fatal shooting of mentally ill man
Danville officer, Andrew Hall, has been convicted of assault with a firearm in the 2018 fatal shooting of an unarmed mentally ill man.

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, Calif. -- Contra Costa County will pay $4.9 million to the family of Laudemer Arboleda, the Newark man killed by former Danville Police Officer Andrew Hall in 2018.



County spokesperson Susan Shiu said Wednesday a settlement has been reached, but hasn't been signed yet by both parties.



Family attorney Adante Pointer said "I expect my client to sign it within the next few days, or whenever (Arboleda's mother Jeannie Atienza) is ready to deal with it. This process has taken a heavy toll on the mother and the family as a whole."



RELATED: Officer convicted of assault in 2018 fatal shooting of mentally ill man in Danville



Hall was convicted of assault with a firearm in Contra Costa County Superior Court in Martinez on Tuesday for shooting Arboleda. The jury couldn't reach a decision on the related manslaughter charge.



On Nov. 3, 2018, Arboleda led Danville police on a slow speed pursuit after someone called the police in response to the Newark man knocking on their door. Arboleda pulled over multiple times, only to drive away from police. At one point, officers drew their guns without shooting as Arboleda drove away.



Arboleda's family has said the 33-year-old was mentally ill, a condition for which he was hospitalized earlier in 2018.



RELATED: Danville officer charged with voluntary manslaughter in deadly 2018 shooting



Hall only became involved in the pursuit at its end, when he pulled in front of Arboleda at the corner of Front and Diablo streets. He exited his car and stood near the Honda's front right side.



As Arboleda tried pulling away at six mph, Hall discharged his weapon 10 times, hitting Arboleda with nine. He was pronounced dead at the scene. An initial investigation by the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office -- which contracts with Danville for police services -- cleared Hall of any wrongdoing.



District attorney Diana Becton said Tuesday her office is still weighing its options, which include trying Hall again. Hall's attorney Harry Stern said he'll consider appealing the assault conviction.



RELATED: Danville officer who shot man in March, fatally shot man while on duty in 2018



Contra Costa County Sheriff David Livingston wrote on Twitter after the verdict, "I urge DA Becton not to retry this case. I also urge her to take down the posts on her reelection campaign social media where she touts this prosecution."



Hall was involved in another shooting in Danville this past March, when he killed 32-year-old transient Tyrell Wilson near the Sycamore Valley Road overpass of Interstate Highway 680.



Police say Wilson approached Hall with a knife. Authorities are still investigating the second shooting, and no charges have been filed.



The video in the media player above is from a previous report.

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