Charges against 2 suspects in grisly California killing dropped amid police racist text scandal

Prosecutors on Wednesday said charges have been dismissed against two men accused in the grisly California killing of a 25-year-old woman because the officers who led the investigation were implicated in a racist text scandal, The San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Ashton Montalvo, 32, and Deangelo Boone, 39, had been charged with arson and mutilation in the death of Mykaella Sharlman, whose body was found along an Antioch (Contra Costa County) hiking trail last year.

Her body was found around 5:36 a.m. Oct. 17 by Antioch police.

The city of Antioch has been hit with a federal lawsuit alleging civil rights violations in connection with the torrent of racist text messages involving at least 24 officers.

State Attorney General Rob Bonta last month announced his office was launching a broad civil rights probe of the Antioch Police Department.

“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 Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement.

“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.”

Jordan Parker writes for The Chronicle that, “The announcement is just the latest blow for Antioch as it attempts to recover from the scandal that involved at least 24 officers engaging in the distribution of racist, misogynist and homophobic text messages directed at residents and city officials.”

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