TV's 'Judge Hatchett' Representing Castile Family In Shooting Death
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The family of Philando Castile now has a legal dream team to represent them in court.
On Tuesday, Judge Glenda Hatchett, from TV's "Judge Hatchett," announced she will represent the Castile family.
A police officer, Jeronimo Yanez, shot and killed 32-year-old Philando Castile during a traffic stop in Falcon Heights. Castile's girlfriend, Diamond Reynolds, recorded what happened after shots were fired and the video went viral on social media.
The family of Philando Castille says they hope this is the last time a family will have to deal with such a tragedy.
The Castiles are working with a high-powered attorney, who's face is familiar to many.
"I am stepping beyond the bench to the other side of the bench," Hatchett said.
Judge Glenda Hatchett is hanging up her robe to pursue justice in the courtroom as an attorney.
"Things have to change," Valerie Castile, the mother of Philando Castile, said.
"We are going to make sure that working class people have a legal dream team. I will not rest until just is done," Hatchett said.
Hatchett says she wants to see change in how officers are hired, trained, how they are retained and what happens to them when there are citizen complaints.
"Yes, we will aggressively pursue justice on his behalf. Yes, there will be a lawsuit," Hatchett said.
Hatchett would not discuss the details of a civil lawsuit and she would not respond to questions concerning comments made by the attorney of Officer Yanez.
"My response is simple this: I will see you in court," Hatchett said.
Hatchett says her team will conduct its own investigation to make sure justice is served.
"We will not depend on the BCA investigation clearly that will be an important part of the evidence in this case but we will have the best team possible on this matter," Hatchett said.
Judge Hatchett says her responsibility centers around the civil case but she will pay attention to the criminal case. She will ask for an independent prosecutor to be assigned to the case.
Hatchett says she will also ask the justice department and the attorney general to watch closely what has happened and what will happen in this case.