California Attorney General Xavier Becerra filed charges against the husband of Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey for pulling a gun on Black Lives Matter activists in March, according to a charging document published on Tuesday.
In an emailed statement to The Epoch Times, David Lacey’s lawyer, Samuel Tyre, said, “My client and I are disappointed that the Attorney General’s Office felt that the conduct at issue amounted to criminal behavior. We disagree entirely with their assessment, but we have the utmost faith in the justice system, and we are confident that the correct result will be reached.”
The incident unfolded in March at the Lacey’s home.
Melina Abdullah, who helped found Black Lives Matter LA, and other activists approached the house around 5:40 a.m. and knocked on the door. They were met by David Lacey, who Abdullah said “pulled a gun and pointed it at my chest.”
After a woman asks him to tell Jackie Lacey “that we’re here,” he added, “I don’t care who you are, get off my porch.”
He said he was going to call the police.
Jackie Lacey told reporters at a press conference following the incident that she and her husband called the police and weren’t sure what was happening when he ran downstairs and pulled his gun.
Jackie Lacey said she does not believe it is “fair, or right,” for activists to show up at people’s homes, and the incident wasn’t the first time it happened. Offers to meet with Black Lives Matter were rejected, the district attorney said, accusing activists of wanting to embarrass or intimidate her.
David Lacey was “profoundly sorry” and did not mean anyone any harm, his wife said, adding that she was regretful, too.
In the emailed statement, David Lacey’s lawyer said his client’s “human instinct is forever and always to protect his wife and his family and to keep them safe from physical harm,” adding, “We look forward to all relevant facts coming to light.”
In a statement issued through her campaign, Jackie Lacey said: “The events that took place earlier this year have caused my family immense pain. My husband acted in fear for my safety after we were subjected to months of harassment that included a death threat no less than a week earlier. Protesters arrived at my house shortly after 5 am while I was upstairs. My husband felt that we were in danger and acted out of genuine concern for our well being.”
Black Lives Matter LA didn’t respond to a request for comment. In a social media statement, the group shared a story about David Lacey being charged, using the hashtag “#JackieLaceyMustGo.”
The Los Angeles Police Department presented the case to Becerra’s office in April to avoid Lacey’s office having to prosecute the district attorney’s husband.
