SAINT PAUL – Mayor Chris Coleman today released the following statement in response to County Attorney John Choi’s decision to charge the Saint Anthony Police Department officer involved in the death of Philando Castile in Falcon Heights earlier this year.
“I have tremendous respect for County Attorney John Choi. He has made one of the hardest decisions a prosecutor has to make. While I have not reviewed the evidence he and his team analyzed, I am confident that his decision was grounded in a thorough investigation of the facts and a deep commitment to upholding his public responsibility. His willingness to be personally responsible for this decision—and to set forth the basis for it— is indicative of his intellect and integrity.
“I also want, once again, to extend my deepest sympathies to the Castile family. Nothing about this decision will ease their pain or redeem their loss. We will continue to hold them in our thoughts as this process moves forward.”