By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff
Sheriff-Coroner David O. Livingston announces that a Coroner’s Jury has reached a finding in the October 31, 2018, death of 34-year-old Michael Sanchez Hernandez of Oakley. The finding of the jury is that the death is an accident.
Hernandez was arrested in October 2018 after fighting with his girlfriend over their baby, and four other neighbors. He was taken to a hospital and two days later, died from his injuries.
The Coroner’s Jury reached a 12-0 verdict after hearing the testimony of witnesses called by the hearing officer, Matthew Guichard.
A Coroner’s Inquest, which Sheriff-Coroner Livingston convenes in all fatal inci-dents involving police officers, is a public hearing, during which a jury rules on the manner of a person’s death. Jury members can choose from the following four options when making their finding: accident, suicide, natural causes, or at the hands of another person, other than by accident.
Allen Payton contributed to this report.
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