In brief
A former LAPD officer, Clifford Proctor, has been indicted for the second-degree murder of an unarmed homeless man, Brendan Glenn, during a confrontation in 2015. Proctor's actions, which were previously deemed lawful by prosecutors, have sparked renewed scrutiny under the current district attorney's office. The indictment comes after a reassessment of several use-of-force cases, raising questions about police conduct and accountability.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A grand jury indictment was unsealed on Friday, charging former Los Angeles police officer Clifford Proctor in the 2015 shooting death of Brendan Glenn, an unarmed homeless man. The incident occurred during a struggle outside a bar in Venice where Glenn had an altercation with a bouncer.
Proctor has pleaded not guilty to the charge of second-degree murder, with his case stirring significant public outcry and debate regarding police violence. This case became emblematic of the demands for accountability and transparency within law enforcement, particularly in urban areas.
Both Proctor and Glenn are Black, which adds a layer of nuance to discussions surrounding race and policing in Los Angeles. Proctor's indictment follows a reevaluation of the case by the office of recent LAPD District Attorney Nathan Hochman, who indicated willingness to reconsider cases previously declined for prosecution by the former DA, George Gascón.
Hochman, elected after Gascón, has initiated a broader review of police conduct and use-of-force incidents, and this review has led to escalating tensions between advocates for police reform and defense attorneys like Anthony Garcia, who represent those accused of police misconduct. Garcia questioned the timing of the current indictment, pointing out that Proctor was not charged back in 2018 due to insufficient evidence.
Initial investigations revealed that Glenn was on his stomach and attempting to push himself up when shot in the back by Proctor, who used deadly force without justification, according to several accounts from witnesses and police. This shooting has reignited conversations around police ethics, community safety, and the acceptable use of force.
After resigning from the LAPD in 2017, the city settled a wrongful-death lawsuit from Glenn’s family for $4 million. Proctor is currently in custody, facing court proceedings set for November 3.
