Review of fatal Pleasanton police shooting finds officers cannot be held criminally liable
OAKLAND — A pair of Pleasanton police officers cannot be held criminally liable for fatally shooting a 33-year-old San Jose man more than two years ago, Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price announced Thursday on her final day in office. The police killing was one of six Price set out to re-examine with her Public Accountability Unit, or PAU. On Feb. 17, 2022, Officers Mario Guillermo and Brian Jewell shot and killed Cody Chavez while responding to a domestic violence call in the 4800 block of Willow Road. The PAU reviewed former DA Nancy O’Malley’s report on the case, police department policies and case file materials, including body-worn camera footage, investigative reports and witness statements, according to the district attorney’s office. “While this is certainly a tragic outcome and series of events, the PAU has concluded that Officers Guillermo and Jewell cannot be held criminally liable for the killing of Mr. Chavez,” the office said in a news release. “The prosecution cannot prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the use of lethal force by Officers Jewell and Guillermo was unjustified.” There were, however, “lessons to