Judge denies motion to dismiss trial against ex-San Leandro officer Jason Fletcher who fatally shot Steven Taylor at Walmart
An Alameda judge denied a motion Friday to dismiss a case against a former San Leandro police officer who is accused of shooting and killing a man at a Walmart in 2020.
Steven Taylor's family members were emotional outside of the Alameda County Superior Courthouse shortly after the judge denied ex-San Leandro police officer Jason Fletcher's bid to dismiss the case.
"Five years and 7 months, we have been fighting just to get to this point," said Taylor's grandmother Addie Kitchen.
Ahead of the court hearing, Kitchen filed a letter urging the judge to listen to the family, claiming their rights under California Law had not been fully honored, citing a number of delays throughout the years.
RELATED: Another delay in case against ex-San Leandro police officer who killed man at Walmart 5 years ago
"I'm glad that the judge felt the need to present the case to a jury. Let the jury make a decision," said Kitchen.
Taylor was shot and killed in 2020 by Fletcher for suspected shoplifting at a Walmart. Family members and community advocates accused the district attorney of not seeking justice for Taylor.
"Your job is to represent the people, and we are the people. Nancy O'Malley, the district attorney who charged this cop, had never ever charged a cop in her entire tenure. Jason Fletcher was the first one. There is a reason for that. That is because he could have backed up. He could have de-escalated. He could have waited for mental health. There are a bazillion things he could have done," said Cat Brooks, Executive Director of the Anti-Police Terror Project.
During the investigation, police released cellphone video that shows Officer Fletcher trying to get Taylor to drop a baseball bat that he had been swinging. Taylor refused and was Tased.
Officer Fletcher then shot him and was later accused of using unreasonable deadly force and charged with manslaughter.
"There has to be accountability because if you don't hold cops accountable, that is the only thing we've got," said Brooks.
The family said Taylor suffered from mental health issues and was known to the San Leandro Police Department. Taylor's mother was glad the charges were not dismissed.
"I'm grateful that this wasn't dismissed. Pushed under the rug," said Sharon Taylor.
ABC7 News contacted the Alameda County DA's office for comment and have not heard back.
Fletcher has been trying to get the case moved out of Alameda County. It was decided earlier this year that it would stay in the county and now it is going to trial.
