OC DA's Office Release Video of Fermin Valenzuela's In-Custody Death

The Orange County District Attorney's office released video they say proves Anaheim police officers did everything they could during the deadly arrest of Fermin Valenzuela last year.

OC District Attorney Tony Rackaucus says the video demonstrates that the officers involved were acting reasonably and professionally during Valenzuala's arrest.

"And doing all they can to not use lethal force, to get the job done without causing any harm."

Prosecutors cleared the officers of any wrongdoing back in September, but, because of a civil suit brought against the department, weren't allowed to release the video of the arrest to the public until now. 

The eleven minute long video includes footage from surveillance cameras and the officers' body-cameras. The two officers are seen attempting to restrain Valenzuela in an interaction that began at a laundrymat and ended across the street at a nearby 7-11. 

Valenzuela was tased outside the laundrmat before he was finally taken down by an officer using a 'carotid artery technique' (or choke hold). The suspect was choked for about 15 to 20 seconds before passing out. Valenzuela would not regain consciousness and died a week later. An autopsy later revealed that he died of asphyxiation while under the influence of meth. 

Rackaucus says the video vindicates the cops. 

"I think the public will take away that we have good police officers doing good work here." 


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