Families Call for Justice, Accountability from Antioch Police

ANTIOCH (KPIX) — Households demonstrated in entrance of the Antioch Police Division on Saturday to demand transparency and accountability associated to in-custody deaths.

This got here because the FBI and the Contra Costa County District Lawyer introduced final month it had launched an investigation into a number of Pittsburg and Antioch cops.

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“We’ve joined the membership that no person desires to be a member of,” mentioned Robert Collins, stepfather of Angelo Quinto, who died in police custody on December 23, 2020.

About 30 individuals gathered to hear and share tales of alleged police brutality. Some households accused Antioch police of killing their family members.

“When Angelo was killed, there have been two crimes dedicated that night time. One was his precise demise. And the second was the duvet up,” mentioned Collins.

Quinto’s household filed a wrongful demise lawsuit in opposition to the town of Antioch. They claimed an officer put his knee on the 30-year-old man’s neck for nearly 5 minutes, reducing off his oxygen.

“This technique of grief that’s all the time going to be extended, as a result of we don’t have any sense of closure,” mentioned Quinto’s sister, Bella Quinto Collins.

The household mentioned it trusted the police. That was why they referred to as the police for assist when Quinto was coping with psychological sickness.

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“Such a life-changing second that you’ll always remember that,” cried Quinto’s mom, Cassandra Quinto-Collins.

Some demonstrators are even asking for the ouster of the Contra Costa County Sheriff David Livingston.

“We’re calling for Sheriff Livingston to resign in gentle of his irresponsible and harmful remarks made following the sentencing of Andrew Corridor. If he doesn’t resign, we’re calling on the Board of Supervisors to not less than publicly censure him. And if neither of these occurs, we’re calling on the general public to vote him out this June,” mentioned Veronica Benjamin, co-founder of police watchdog group Aware Contra Costa.

The FBI and the Contra Costa County district lawyer are investigating a number of Pittsburg and Antioch cops. Pittsburg police mentioned three officers are on paid go away throughout the investigation.

However Antioch has up to now to say no to say what number of of its officers are underneath investigator. The DA’s workplace and the FBI declined to say what the investigation was about or reply any questions.

Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe mentioned he fought for police reform and can work with the brand new interim police chief to convey change to the division.

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“We’re transferring in advancing police reform and I do know change doesn’t occur in a single day. And I do know some persons are annoyed,” mentioned Mayor Thorpe.