David Allan Lacey, 66, was charged Monday with three misdemeanor counts of assault with a firearm involving the March 2 run-in with demonstrators, according to Politico, which obtained the charging document filed by the California Attorney General’s Office.
He is set to be arraigned Aug. 13 in a San Fernando courtroom, according to his attorney, Samuel E. Tyre.
“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,” Tyre said in a written statement.
“At this time we are not going to comment on the facts of the case, except to say that my client’s human instinct is forever and always to protect his wife and his family and to keep them safe from physical harm. We look forward to all relevant facts coming to light.”
On March 2, Jackie Lacey said her husband had acted out of fear and was “profoundly sorry” for his actions.
She said she had been repeatedly threatened and harassed at public appearances while serving as district attorney, and she believes Black Lives Matter is more interested in trying to embarrass her than have a productive conversation about issues.
Lacey is seeking her third term as the county’s top prosecutor — is facing a runoff election in November with former San Francisco District Attorney George Gascon.
The protest occurred before sunrise on March 2. David Lacey was seen on video pointing a handgun out the front door of the couple’s home and ordering Black Lives Matter protesters to leave the property. No arrests or injuries were reported.
Members of Black Lives Matter who took part in the protest immediately condemned David Lacey’s actions. Activist Jasmyne Cannick posted the video online and circulated links to it via email to local media outlets.
Black Lives Matter has repeatedly protested against Jackie Lacey, criticizing her for what they see as a failure to hold law enforcement officers accountable for shootings of Black suspects, and accusing her of failing to meet with them to discuss the issue.
David Lacey is heard on the video ordering protesters off of his porch, as he points the gun out the front door. Protesters can be heard asking to see Jackie Lacey, prompting her husband to again order the group off of his property.
One of the group’s members, Melina Abdullah, who is listed as one of the alleged victims in the complaint, said the protesters were off the Laceys’ porch in less than 60 seconds.
Abdullah insisted that Lacey’s house was not off-limits given that the district attorney is a public official and that BLM has never threatened her.
On Twitter, Abdullah alleged that David Lacey “pointed a gun at my chest and said ‘I will shoot you.’ She noted that the counts filed against David Lacey are “misdemeanors, but charges nonetheless.”
Lacey received 49% of the vote in the March 3 primary election, falling short of the majority needed to avoid a runoff.
UPDATE: In a statement released by her reelection 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 a.m. while I was upstairs. My husband felt that we were in danger and acted out of genuine concern for our well being.”
Previous related story: Protesters gather outside D.A. Jackie Lacey’s house; husband points gun
#BREAKING This morning Los Angeles District Attorney Jackie Lacey’s husband pulled a gun out on Black Lives Matter activists who protested his wife in front of their house. @BLMLA pic.twitter.com/wnCFMMvaWV
— Jasmyne Cannick (@Jasmyne) March 2, 2020
Alby says
Stupid idiot blm should stay off of other peoples porches when they do their protests. Lacey is the victim. I hope he sues the heck out of Abdullah and the rest of the moronic group for harassment.
david says
Um, If it would have been me, Id be shooting. If a violent mob of people show up at my door, its on. This is just another political correct pander to BLM BULLSHIT!
Charges says
“…filed by the California Attorney General’s Office.”
This sounds like politics from Becerra.
Herb says
Agreed.
Becerra supports let everyone out of jail Gascon
Mayors wife says
Insider status gets him off the hook although the public outcry is the only reason charges were even brought up. People are finally on to the lack of accountability that the Insiders benefit from yet the public is always given the full measure.