A texting scandal involving the Antioch Police Department has apparently let two felony suspects off the hook this week, at least temporarily.
The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office said Wednesday it dismissed felony charges against two men accused of mutilating and burning a body near an Antioch trail in October 2022.
Ashton Montalvo and Deangelo Laraye Boone, who were 32 and 39 at the time, faced arson and mutilation charges in the death of 25-year-old Mykaella Sharlman.
Prosecutors said Wednesday that the case couldn’t proceed to trial because it “relied heavily on the investigative work of Antioch Police Officers who are associated with racist text communications.”
Sharlman’s body was discovered Oct. 17 on the Mokelumne Trail near Gentrytown Drive.
“After thoroughly reviewing the officers’ role in this case, applying relevant legal principles, and considering ethical responsibilities, the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office no longer has confidence in the integrity of this prosecution,” the DA’s office said. “Our office extends our deepest sympathies to the family of Mykaella Sharlman and we aspire to renew this prosecution if presented with the opportunity to do so.”
The DA’s office said it can still re-file criminal charges against Montalvo and Boone if new evidence is developed.
The Antioch Police Department has been under investigation by the FBI and the Contra Costa County District’s Attorney’s Office for more than a year over alleged civil rights violations.
The state attorney general’s office has also opened an investigation, and at least two local members of Congress have asked the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate.
At least three lawsuits have been filed against the city in association with the scandal, which involves at least 45 officers — 16 in management positions — who were part of racist and homophobic text message chains. Messages also included threats of violence against people of color, including at least one against Antioch Mayor Lamar Thorpe.
An unknown number of officers have been suspended while the investigations continue.
Are you F ing kidding. Newscum wants to pass a 28th amendment, How are people supposed to protect themselves from these self righteous hypocrites? If they keep this up there’s going to be a revolution.
.agree… and it will continue… there is no consequence to even homocides practically anymore.. this is what voters wanted – too lenient progressive incumbents – those who voted for Newsom, Bonta, Becton, etc… this is what you wanted!… very sad
Did they bother to check the evidence?
Unrelated text messages erase criminal charges. Can’t imaging being a family member of the victim.
WOW! just WOW!
So now its LEGAL to murder and start people on FIRE in Antioch??
An how many defendants convicted with antioch evidence are or will be filing appeals of their convictions?
This action by DA will likely be cited in those appeals.
Could cost county million and millions of $$$.
.
For those unfamiliar with antioch believe burn site is to left or north of Fire Station 83 on Gentrytown near Buchanan.
https://tinyurl.com/46fj8tm3
Zoom into rectangular strip of dirt with reddish orange roofed buildings above, follow angled parking lot road down, zoom in further, there is a circular dark patch ? ? ?
Unbelievable!
Are there 2 individuals high fiving now because they got away with murder, or did these racist texts lead to planted evidence? Seems a weak reason to let suspects of such a horrific crime, to mutilate and burn this poor young woman, go.
I highly doubt these pos’s were going away for any significant time anyways. 100% remove the racist corrupt cops, but when do we get to remove the citizens carrying guns and robbing people/stores? They far outweigh the police department right?
Sometimes people need to vent. Even professionals.
Whenever somebody leaves a job or leaves a team they can look back and see the positives or achievements they accomplished during their time there. This DA can look back at the utter mess she had a huge role in. Antioch once again is a s…hole. Soon all small businesses there will be exiting. Home values will plummet, and I have it on good authority , the schools are so bad they resemble a jr. San Quentin
Wow. Way to let murderers go because someone exercised their right to FREE SPEECH.
Soros.
And this is going to make us all safer? What the hell is going on with these left-wing liberal politicians and government officials. I think they’re actually trying to destroy society and the country.
They are against the police. And now that we’re forced to have to personally defend ourselves, they’re against that too. Oh we’re in for a rought ride!
The problem is: They’re All unified in their goal of Destroying America.
Everyone is too Scared of being called a “racist” or “white supremist”.
Time to quit being cowards……you Already see what they’re attempting to do with Your kids. Get over the disbelief and organize.
Target & Bud light is a good start. Keep it going.
The DA should be held responsible for whatever crimes these two do in the future. She could have at least tried to try the case.
So apparently text messaging is a higher crime than murder now. Good to know, this is progress.
This qualifies as a…
CLOWN WORLD HEADLINE
End qualified immunity now.
I agree what happened to freedom of speech I don’t care if they cracked mean jokes. Who cares. It’s actually not a crime to make fun of anyone or anything unless you’re in FL under Desantis. Meanwhile u let 2 murders out over mean texts lol you can’t make this up.
I am not advocating anything.
However, if the victim’s family were to seek retribution on their own now that Becton has done Soros’ evil work, you could damn well bet they’d be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
I would hold out as a juror until Doomsday