Family of Seaside man killed by police in 1998 is watching Floyd case closely

SEASIDE, Calif. (KION) The nation’s eyes are on Minneapolis this week as the former Minneapolis police officer charged with killing George Floyd went on trial Monday.

One Seaside family is closely watching the outcome of the case being made against Derek Chauvin and understands the pain and suffering felt by the Floyd family.

Alade Djehuti-Mes lost his father in 1998.  Charles Vaughn Sr. was shot and killed by Seaside police officers when they assisted social workers with the Monterey County Department of Mental Health with call on Echo Street.

While attempting to get Vaughn Sr. to a hospital, who was suffering from Schizophrenia, according to the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office's old press release, Vaughn Sr. became combative and threatened officers with a cork screw.

The initial release also said officers did not realize what the weapon was. Despite being pepper-sprayed, Vaughn who was described as a large man, could not be detained. Officers eventually shot him multiple times.

Djehuti-Mes believes that the shooting was racially motivated and worsened by a police force that was not capable of dealing with individuals undergoing mental health issues.

Mes says he believes police officers have what he calls “qualified immunity,” and hopes to see a conviction in the death of Floyd in hopes of sending a message to law enforcement across the nation.

Ultimately, the police officers involved were never charged as investigators deemed the shooting a justifiable homicide. Djehuti-Mes says that the Derek Chauvin alone will not bring change unless people organize and institutions listen.

"What's going to be required is going to the sustained efforts of the people who care about justice. I mean not only the activists but the people within the city government, the elected officials, and those within the police department as well," says Djehuti-Mes.

Vaughn Sr.'s death brought about tangible change in the Seaside Police Department including crisis management training and team in instances where police officers are trained to handle people going through mental health issues.

Djehuti-Mes says that reform isn't a reality for most families.

The vast majority of families do not get justice in America. We do not get justice," says Djehuti-Mes.

Nathaniel Sawyer, a local civil rights activist believes that justice must be served.

"What happened to George Floyd cannot happen again, Derek Chauvin needs to be held accountable. It was not intentional, It was purposeful," says Sawyer.

Sawyer says that he ultimately hopes for change and equity.