Despite acknowledging the impact on communities both locally and “across the world”, a US prosecutor claimed a lack of “sufficient evidence” to pursue criminal charges.
Jaahnavi Kandula was an Andhra Pradeshi master’s student studying in Seattle.
New Delhi: On January 23, of last year, a police car traveling at a high speed in the US state of Washington struck and murdered 23-year-old Indian student Janaki Kandle.
The police officer driving the car that ran over Ms. Kandle will be free, at least for the time being, following a year of court cases, legal battles, declarations from the US and Indian governments, and demands for responsibility.
Although a US prosecutor acknowledged the impact on communities both locally and “across the world,” he felt there was insufficient evidence to charge Seattle police officer Kevin Dave, who was traveling at 120 kmph when his patrol car struck Ms. Kandle, with a crime.
Officer Daniel Audre, who was present at the scene but was not involved in the collision, laughed callously about the fatal crash in bodycam footage released by Seattle Police. He then dismissed the need for a criminal investigation and made hurtful remarks about Ms. Kandura’s age and value.
prosecutors’ choice
Concerned with Adherer’s remarks, King County Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion described them as “appalling and deeply troubling.” Even though Auderer’s comments were heinous, she said, they did not change the legal analysis of Dave’s actions. Rather, Auderer’s unprofessional behavior is the responsibility of the Office of Police Accountability (OPA).
After being removed from patrol in September 2023 and placed in a “non-operational position,” Audre is currently in danger of being let go until his March 4 disciplinary hearing. In addition to stoking the flames, the video showing Audre angrily discussing Kandura’s death has sparked concerns about the culture of the Seattle Police Department.
In the video, Audre added, “She was 26 anyway.” “She had limited value.” According to local media in Seattle, Dave’s quick response did not give Ms. Kandula enough time to see, react to, and avoid the looming threat, which led to the crash. Instead of keeping his siren on all the time, the cop chose to “chirp” at the crossroads.
Even though his emergency lights were on, there were serious doubts regarding the necessity and urgency of such a high-speed reaction given the lack of a continuous siren and the excessive speed.
Community Police Commission’s Response Prosecutors claimed in a memo to Seattle Police that there was insufficient evidence to establish Dave’s “conscious disregard for others’ safety.” The burden of proving a case beyond a reasonable doubt under Washington State law rests on the decision to file no criminal charges.
The Reaction of Community Police Commission
In a statement issued in response to the ruling, the Community Police Commission (CPC) offered its sympathies to Kandura’s family as well as the Indian American community. The CPC questioned whether Dave’s emergency response would be considered reckless or a disregard for pedestrian safety given the restrictions of the legal standard that applied to his actions.
“The prosecution concluded that Officer Dave’s actions did not reach the legal standard of “recklessness” or “disregard for the safety of others” under Washington’s vehicular homicide statute, even though he was at night and going at 74 mph on Dexter Avenue North when he struck Ms. Kandula. It raises the question of how fast Officer Dave would have needed to go in order for his emergency reaction to be viewed as irresponsible or indifferent to the.
According to the CPC, essential revisions to Seattle Police’s emergency vehicle operation policy are being worked on. Policies that prioritize life and refrain from endangering the community are imperative, as urged by the CPC. In addition, the CPC is looking into why Dave was responding to drug overdose calls from the Seattle Fire Department in the first place and how the Seattle Police handle these kinds of calls.
International Outrage
International outcry was sparked by the publication of bodycam footage last year that included Auderer’s remarks. Lawmakers from the Indian-American community and the United States denounced the actions shown in the video. Congressman Ro Khanna, an Indian-American, voiced his shock, saying that every Indian immigrant’s life has unending value and that anyone who believes otherwise ought not to work in law enforcement.
Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, an Indian-American, echoed the sentiment, describing the video as disgusting and calling for Ms. Kandula’s family to receive justice. Concerned by the occurrence, the Indian Consulate General in San Francisco asked for a comprehensive investigation and took legal action against individuals responsible.
India was promised a prompt and impartial probe by the US administration. Mayor Bruce Harrell of Seattle attempted to disassociate the city from Auderer’s remarks in a letter to the Kandula family, claiming that they did not represent the sentiments of the city or its neighborhoods.