Cop Who Killed Philando Castile Receives $48,500 to Leave Police Department

By Rachel Vorona Cote  |  July 11, 2017 | 2:00am
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One year ago, in Falcon Heights, Minnesota, police officer Jeronimo Yanez fatally shot 32-year-old Philando Castile in front of his girlfriend and her four-year-old daughter. Last month, Yanez was acquitted of manslaughter, despite damning dashcam footage and the testimony of Castile’s girlfriend, Diamond Reynolds. Now, in a separation agreement, the St. Anthony Police Department has given Yanez $48,500 for his trouble.

According to the Associated Press, Yanez will also be paid for as many as 600 hours of “unused compensatory time.” The deal was finalized on Monday.

Castile’s uncle, Clarence Castile, agrees that Yanez should no longer work as a police officer, but he doesn’t regard this arrangement as justice. Not only is Yanez “a poor example of a police officer,” he “should be in jail” as well.

Valerie Castile, mother of the victim, received $3 million in a settlement with the city of St. Anthony Village, Minnesota. But her son’s life cannot be appraised and purchased. Nor can justice—especially when the killer walks free, his bank account replenished.

 
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