Justice Denied for a Family and Community that Continues the Fight.
By Young and Brown

 

 

Five years ago as the blood hit the floor

The pool of blood that created a shockwave that left the police with feelings of hate

inside as the family decided to rise up for justice as this could have been any of us

a life lost for fitting the description the family wanted no more victims of this insanity

of police terrorism and brutality.

Strangers from the community united as brothers and sisters not to be divided

Together they fought for justice and marched through the streets

As the drum beat echoed off the buildings and street the people rose up, and marched

with no defeat in their hearts. As the people came together to fight against this insanity

with their families. Justice for Rudy was the chant as the people remained resistant.

Shot in the back Rudy was never on the attack. Always running away is what the murderer would later say. Rudy was not this type of person; a nice person who was there for his family and friends is what people would later know about this victim.

CCGIA get out of San Jose is what the people said and chanted as they chased the agents from the Double Tree as the agents drove by flipping the finger to the family.

Rude and disrespectful just kept everyone mindful of the beast that was hidden as this murder was not to be forgiven.

CCGIA agents acted tough like thugs in the courtroom but when alone they looked for a place to run for they were scared when alone.

The open grand jury was something the police were fearing

they did not want the truth to come out in this hearing.

They tried to defame Rudy’s name and commented and made comments that were insane.

They tried to get the media to sway the opinion to show Rudy as a suspect and not a victim. Whatever steps or moves they took the people and the family were not shook just more determined to fight for the real victim.
A true indictment was the decision that let people know who the real victim was. A true decision that never happened in this State, that left the police with more feelings of hate.

The truth came out with out a doubt the truth the people spoke for and marched and believed that Michael Walker was guilty of this tragedy that took a life that was once the light to many how could he get away with this murder?

The trial came next a show that the DA put on to prevent any unrest in the community for a guilty verdict was seen as the reality. The people knew the truth with no dispute how can someone get off for murder was not a realization the people and family never thought of. Beyond a reasonable doubt is what is needed for a conviction something the DA’s office did not want to see for they work with the police daily. Something they did not want to prove as the family was made to look like the crook. The family was prevented from walking with the jury as Michael Walker sat there grinning and chatting on his phone with the freedom to roam. The family could not get up when the jury passed the sheriffs stood ready to jump on someone who moved too fast. This show put on by the DA in the city of San Jose that did not have the people in mind this day.
Justice was not for us because we did not have the money or politics to back us.

Instead we had and have each other for we continue the fight no matter what.

One battle in this WAR we are fighting and living for the terrorists will not be forgiven, like 911 Rudy we will not forget you and see you in heaven.

Rest in Peace, goes out to all the victims of the Police.



Justice Never Served…Five Years after the Murder of Rudy Cardenas by State Police.
By Self-Educated

In lieu of recent high profile cases of police brutality and murder, it is important to remember that these atrocities are an ongoing epidemic in the Chicano and Black communities. On February 17, 2004, Rudy Cardenas, who was a father of five children, was shot and killed by state narcotics officer Michael Walker in San Jose. State Narcotics Agent Michael Walker had been a former police officer in Watsonville, where he had a history of reported misconduct (justiceforrudy.com). Moreover, the murders of Oscar Grant and Rudy Cardenas have three things in common: both were shot in the back by the officers, both were unarmed and both officers in the case are being defended with attorneys recommended by the Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC) Legal Defense Fund.

Parole agents targeted Rudy Cardenas after they mistook him for a parole violator named David Gonzalez. Agents who were conducting surveillance at Gonzalez's' address attempted to pull over Cardenas as he randomly drove by the location. Perhaps out of fear, Cardenas decided to speed away from the scene leading to a high-speed chase involving several officers. After a short pursuit, Cardenas abandoned the vehicle and decided to flee on foot. At that point officer Michael Walker fired his 9mm hitting Cardenas once in the back in a major artery. It took several minutes for police to clear the scene and allow ambulances to provide assistance. Cardenas died in route to the hospital due to heavy loss of blood.

Due to organizing efforts led by Jesse Villarreal, the Cardenas family, and Debug Magazine, there was an open Grand jury hearing. Walker was the first law enforcement officer to be put on trial for manslaughter in California. In addition, many marches, vigils and protests were held by these organizers to bring public attention to the Cardenas murder. The family also filed a suit against the State of California and Michael Walker.

Much like the current case of Oscar Grant, the defense team and mainstream media attempted to paint the victims as the aggressors and a potential threat to the officers lives because they thought they were reaching for a gun. At the hearings, Cardenas was accused of being "violent" and "suicidal" most likely that he had sought "suicide by cop." In the case of Oscar Grant, Johannes Mehserle's (the accused murderer) defense is attempting to paint this as an accident by stating that the officer involved thought Grant was going for his taser gun because he thought Grant had a weapon.

The attorneys involved in both incidents were recommended by the Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC) who coordinate a Legal Defense Fund for officers involved in cases of misconduct. Attorney Craig Brown, who is on a panel of recommended attorneys provided by PORAC, defended Michael Walker and in December of 2005 won a verdict of "not guilty." Johannes Mehserle is currently being defended by Attorney Mike Rains, a former police officer who makes a living out of defending police officers accused of misconduct. Rains was successful in winning the acquittal of the "Corcoran Eight" a group of prison guards accused of federal criminal civil rights violations. Rains also won the acquittal of the "Oakland Riders," a group of officers who beat, kidnapped and planted drugs on local citizens.

On Saturday February 14, 2009, an interview was conducted with Jesse Villarreal, who is Rudy Cardenas nephew, at a local coffee shop in Santa Cruz. Jesse spoke about the incidents leading to his uncle's murder, the organizing efforts to bring attention to the issue, the results of the case, and how this incident are similar to the case involving the murder of Oscar Grant. To hear the interview please click the following link and scroll down:
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2009/02/15/18571040.php