Images of former Officer Eric Smith, Jr. and body cam video screenshot of him striking Saul Mendoza, Jr. with a Taser during the attempted arrest on April 9, 2022. Source: Richmond PD and KTVU FOX2
Eric Smith, Jr. charged with assault with a deadly weapon, inflicting great bodily injury
By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office
Martinez, California – A jury was unable to reach a verdict on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, in the trial of former Richmond Police officer Eric Smith, Jr.
Smith, who is 31 years old, was charged by the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office with assault with a deadly weapon and inflicting great bodily injury during an attempted arrest on April 9, 2022.
On August 3, 2022, the District Attorney’s Office filed a felony assault charge with the two enhancements against Smith. That same day Richmond Police announced that Smith, Jr. was terminated from the agency.
The incident happened around 1:00 a.m. in Richmond during an attempted traffic stop of Saul Mendoza, Jr. At one point during the encounter, Officer Smith struck Mr. Mendoza multiple times with a Taser, causing great bodily injury to the victim. (See police body cam video of incident published by KTVU FOX2)
Count 1-Assault with a Deadly Weapon PC245(a)(1)
Enhancement 1 – Special Allegation – Great Bodily Harm PC12022.7(a)
Enhancement 2 – Special Allegation – Use of Deadly Weapon PC12022(b)(1)
Because the jury could not reach a verdict, Judge John W. Kennedy dismissed the jurors. The case will return to court on February 2, 2026, to schedule either a new trial or other pre-trial matters.
Case No. 02-22-00665 | The People of the State of California v. Eric Smith, Jr.
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