Archive for November, 2009

Lauro Paredes’ Clients Absolved by Yolo DA and AG in April Shooting

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

Once again Goyette & Associates Labor Attorneys were instrumental in  affectively representing the interests of our valued clients. Lauro Paredes was the G&A attorney who responded to an officer involved shooting in Woodland last April. Due in no small part to careful counsel and an immediate response from Mr. Paredes, no charges will be filed against  the three Yolo County Sheriff’s Deputies.

From KCRA.Com:

http://www.kcra.com/news/21715695/detail.html?taf=sac

Luis Gutierrez Navarro Killed In Woodland

POSTED: 3:21 pm PST November 24, 2009
UPDATED: 7:04 pm PST November 24, 2009

 
WOODLAND, Calif. — No charges will be filed against the Yolo County sheriff’s deputies who were involved in the shooting of a farmworker earlier this year. ”The deputies acted in self-defense. Finding the shooting lawful, we will take no further action in the matter,” according to the Yolo County District Attorney’s report.

 Luis Gutierrez Navarro, 26, was killed on April 30 near a Woodland overpass.

 California Attorney General Jerry Brown upheld the findings.

 ”After a complete review of all available information, we have concluded that your decision was not unreasonable and thus did not constitute an abuse of discretion,” Brown’s letter to the Yolo County District Attorney’s office said.

 The attorney general’s office conducted an independent review of the report after the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office requested it. The FBI, which is also conducting an independent review, is ongoing.

 The report determined that Navarro immediately fled when he was contacted by Sgt. Dale Johnson, Deputy Hernan Oviedo and Deputy Hector Bautista, who were working as part of the Yolo County Gang Task Force.

 The deputies, who were in regular clothes, were crossing over the Highway 113 overpass in Woodland in a Ford Taurus when they saw Navarro walking along East Gum Avenue.

 ”Deputy Bautista thought Navarro looked familiar and might be on probation or parole,” the report said.

 Navarro was also high on methamphetamine at the time, according to the report.

 ”However, regardless of his state of mind, Navarro was not legally justified in using deadly force against the deputies,” the report said.

 The report said Navarro also had a concealed knife in his pocket and swung it at one of the deputies.

 ”When Navarro displayed the knife he had concealed in his pants pocket and assaulted Johnson, Navarro committed a violation of Penal Code Section 245(c), assault with a deadly weapon upon a peace officer,” the report said. “The use of force by Sgt. Johnson and Deputy Oviedo was necessary to accomplish that lawful purpose and to defend the deputies from imminent great bodily injury or death.”

 According to the report, although Navarro may have not have realized that the men who were chasing him were from law enforcement, “the deputies stated that they identified themselves as police officers by showing their badges and guns and verbally identified themselves numerous times during the foot pursuit.”

 Now that the report is out, some members of the Yolo Justice Coalition said they are displeased.

 ”When you shoot a man in the back, as they did to Luis Gutierrez, and you have undercover sheriffs who are dressed like gang members themselves and in a gang member car, and he’s shot in the back, there’s a lot of questions to why they stopped him in the first place,” Al Rojas from the coalition said.

 The coroner who did the autopsy on Navarro determined that the bullet went into his right rear shoulder. The bullet went through the side of Navarro’s shoulder and then out through his jaw.

Last Week’s Labor Training was a Huge Success

Thursday, November 12th, 2009

Last Wednesday’s Advantage Training and Education Seminar Series was a success. Attendees included firefighters, sheriffs, police officers, management units and both employee and employer groups were represented.

Paul Goyette’s introduction; Leadership: The Essential Element to Succeed in Today’s Employee Association was motivational and applicable to everyone, he even received complements from our photographer and videographer!

Jon Hamm, the CEO of CAHP delivered a candid and honest presentation regarding the current economic State of the State as it pertains to bargaining units and associations. Jon was an engaging and incredibly entertaining speaker who kept the attendees fixated on some very daunting information.

The CalPERS speakers shed some light on the state of CalPERS and offered the ATES attendees some insight and valuable knowledge regarding their retirement plans and how stable they really are.

Gary Goyette managed to take the complex subject of the Federal Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and make the material entertaining, funny and manageable.

The esteemed Mr. Stephen Silver imparted over 40 years of institutional knowledge regarding bargaining in lean economic times and offered the attendees some invaluable advice regarding how to not just proceed but to succeed at the bargaining table even now.

Overall, the presentation was diverse, entertaining and above all, enlightening. The Advantage Series set out to deliver a program that offered a different approach to association education, we call it candid honesty. If bargaining units and public servant associations aren’t kept in the loop regarding the REAL state of affairs in this state, how can they do what is best for their members?

At the request of the attendees, The Advantage Training and Education Series will be offering DVD’s of the presentation for those of our associations who were unable to attend or for those who did attend who want to share what the learned with their colleagues and members. Contact Jennifer Coalson-Perez for information at jennifer@goyette-assoc.com or call916-851-1900.

We are in the process of planning a Southern California Series for March. Check back often to find out the exact dates!