It would be more than 15 minutes before emergency responders arrived. The judge’s retelling of the events said Casanova and other officers retreated while the occupants of the home - not knowing who had shot at them - called 911 for help and tried to save Roundtree. “There is evidence in the record that contradicts the City’s version of the events as they unfolded October 17, 2018, and on that evidence a reasonable juror could find that Snowden merely got up to see who was at the door and Casanova shot him, killed Charles Roundtree, and narrowly missed Taylor Singleton,” the judge wrote in the ruling rejecting the city’s motion for summary judgment. Pulliam noted the depositions of investigating officers show they agreed that firing into an occupied home without knowing where all occupants were located is “reckless.” The city also argued it properly supervised and disciplined its officers, that it did not ratify Casanova’s conduct and that Snowden was lawfully arrested.īefore ruling, Pulliam reviewed evidence that included the video and depositions in the case of officers, witnesses and Police Chief William McManus. The city argued that SAPD’s use-of-deadly-force policy was constitutionally sound and not the moving force behind the violation of Casanova’s constitutional rights, that SAPD officer training was proper and that city officials were not deliberately indifferent to any obvious inadequacy. Pulliam held a hearing in late March to take up the motions for summary judgment.
He was acquitted after jurors heard from investigators who couldn’t find his DNA on the gun police found outside the house. Police arrested Snowden on a charge of a felon in possession of a gun. Those in the house have claimed the officer’s flashlight blinded them so they could not tell it was police at the door.Ī Bexar County grand jury declined to indict Casanova, clearing him of criminal responsibility. The video shows, among other things, Casanova did not identify himself. Later, Casanova’s body camera footage was leaked to San Antonio news media, and critics said it contradicted Casanova and the police narrative. Police also said they found a gun outside the home, insinuating Snowden had the weapon but tossed it out. In the days following the shooting, police said Snowden came at the officer in an aggressive manner and that he was trying to grab a gun from his waistband. Two other occupants were in the back of the house when the shooting occurred. The shots grazed Snowden but hit Roundtree in the chest and almost hit Taylor Singleton. Roundtree was sitting on a sofa inside a home in the 200 block of Roberts Street with two friends when Casanova - who was investigating reports of an assault or disturbance nearby - came to the door, shined his flashlight inside, opened the door and then fired his gun at one of Roundtree’s friends, Devante Snowden, who had gotten up to see who was there. “The biggest question is, ‘Who is responsible for the death of Charles Roundtree?’” Washington added. They were all there legally when this officer just opened the door and fired without announcing himself as a police officer.” “Nobody in that house had committed a crime. “I just think the actions of the officer were totally egregious,” Washington said. The city will continue to vigorously defend this case.”ĭallas-area attorney Daryl Washington, who represents relatives of Roundtree and two other occupants, said they can now get their day in court. This matter was previously reviewed by a Bexar County grand jury, which declined to indict. “We remain confident that this was a justified shooting based on the facts and applicable law. “Of course, we are disappointed with the ruling,” City Attorney Andy Segovia said Tuesday. The city and officer deny the suit’s allegations and claim the officer is shielded by a legal doctrine known as qualified immunity.
It also alleges the city not only failed to train, supervise and discipline Casanova, but tried to evade liability by tarnishing the reputations of those in the house by falsely associating them with crime. The suit accuses Casanova of wrongly using excessive force in violation of Roundtree’s constitutional rights.
The judge found last week there were discrepancies in the police narrative, compared to other evidence and witness statements, and that the case can be put to a jury so jurors can determine whether the shooting was justified, whether Casanova is liable for the death of Roundtree and whether the city ratified his actions.
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District Judge Jason Pulliam has rejected motions from Casanova and the city to toss the case before trial through a process known as summary judgment.
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