It was a shocking find, since the Broward Sheriff's deputy who fired the fatal shots, Peter Peraza, told investigators that McBean had not been wearing headphones. So did BSO Sgt. Richard LaCerra. Despite the contradictory testimony and whispers of a
McBean's family has been patient, hoping the officers would be indicted. Now that it looks like State Attorney Michael Satz will be sending the case to a grand jury, McBean's family and Black Lives Matter activists are calling for justice.
“Two years later, two years of dragging feet by BSO, by
The family's attorney, David Schoen, points out that McBean's death will mark the 169th time that Satz did not charge an officer in a fatal shooting with a crime since 1980. “The history of civilian deaths at the hand of law enforcement officers in Broward County without a single indictment or even disciplinary action in over 30 years is tremendously alarming and demands independent oversight,” Schoen said.
The family wanted Satz and Broward Sheriff Scott Israel to charge the officers with McBean's death and tampering with evidence. Instead, it looks like the case will be tried by a grand jury. “We're worried, the family's worried that there won't be an indictment,” Cosme says. “In the 168 cases tried at a grand jury before, there hasn't been a single indictment. We don't want to get the same result.”
The family is holding a news conference outside the Broward County Courthouse on Thursday, October 22. McBean's mother and brothers will be there, along with their attorney and Black Lives Matter activists.
“The tragic cold-blooded homicide by a Broward County deputy, of Jermaine McBean, a talented young engineer, so beloved by all who knew him, and the outrageous concerted effort through the highest ranks of the department to cover up the true facts actually reward the shooter should compel every citizen of Broward County and, indeed, the nation, to demand justice,” Schoen said in a statement.