Nov. 5, 2021
Beginning Dec. 15 through Dec. 17, the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner will conduct inquests into the deaths of Dijon Kizzee, Samuel Herrera, and Dana Mitchell Young, Jr. Retired Justice Candace Cooper has been appointed as the hearing officer who will preside over the inquests to determine the circumstances, manner, and cause of their deaths.
As in previous inquests, these proceedings support the department's mission and purpose to provide independent, evidence-based death investigations, addresses the public’s interest in the death, and is in accord with a motion approved by the Board of Supervisors on Sept. 28, 2021.
The deaths of Mr. Dijon Kizzee on Aug. 31, 2020, Mr. Samuel Herrera on Sept. 10, 2020, and Mr. Dana Young, Jr. on Oct. 15, 2020, were each a result of Los Angeles County Sheriff Deputy-involved shootings.
The department will subpoena relevant witnesses to testify and documents to present at the inquests. After hearing testimony, the hearing officer will make findings related to the cause and manner of death for each of the inquests.
The hearing officer will then forward her decisions and recommendations to the Medical Examiner-Coroner.
These inquests will be public, in adherence with Public Health guidelines and protocols.
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Media Contact:
Public Information Officer
(323) 343-0783
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