The police officer who fatally shot Philando Castile last year will receive $48,500. He will no longer be part of the police force per a severance agreement.
The former officer, Jeronimo Yanez, shot Castile last year after he pulled him over due to a broken taillight. Per the dash cam video from the patrol vehicle of the officer during the incident and the Facebook Live video of Castile’s girlfriend, the deceased was asked to put his hands up in the air. Castile told the officer that he had a weapon on him and had a permit to carry it. Yanez believed Castile was going to get his gun so he fired at the latter even if Castile and his girlfriend assured there was no threat to the life of the officer.
The officer also later claimed that he pursued Castile because he looked like the suspect in a robbery case, World Socialist Web Site reported.
Aside from the $48,500 payout, Yanez will also get paid for the unused personal pay leave. Information is not yet available as to how much he would get from that.
Payout comes weeks after officer was not charged
Yanez was charged with manslaughter and other charges but was acquitted in June. San Francisco Chronicle reported that when the verdict was announced and he was acquitted, the city already expressed that the 29-year-old former officer will no longer be in the force as they believe that will be best for the public.
The city pointed out that terminating Yanez from the force is “the most thoughtful way to move forward and help the community-wide healing process proceed.” Yanez can no longer sue the city since the severance agreement waived that right of his.
He was given 10 days to think about the agreement and he signed it on Monday. Yanez served the St. Anthony police department for almost six years.
Castile’s relatives not satisfied with city’s move
The uncle of Castile, Clarence, said that although he is happy that Yanez will no longer be in the Police Force, they still believe that he should be in jail.
Clarence said that Yanez should hopefully not get a police job anywhere in the United States.
Castile’s mother, Valerie, reached almost $3 million as a settlement with the city. They initially filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city.
There have been numerous protests after Castile was killed and after Yanez was acquitted.
The case involving Castile is one of the many police-related deaths that have sparked outrage. Castile’s case is exceptionally notable because his girlfriend’s four-year-old daughter was in the car at the time of the shooting.
