Contra Costa County – Today, the District Attorney’s Office dismissed all charges against former Richmond Police Officer Eric Smith, Jr. during a brief court appearance. The dismissal comes in the aftermath of a three-week trial where 11 of 12 jurors voted to acquit Smith, resulting in a mistrial. Smith stood accused of felony assault with a deadly weapon and a sentencing enhancement for causing great bodily injury.
Rains Lucia Stern St. Phalle & Silver, PC managing principal Harry S. Stern represented Smith at trial.
The case arose from an April 9, 2022 confrontation after a car chase. Officer Smith spotted Saul Mendoza driving erratically and radioed that he believed he was stashing a gun under his seat. Smith found Mendoza a few minutes later in San Pablo, where Mendoza had crashed his car into the side of a business. When Smith tried to arrest Mendoza, he ran and the two struggled. Smith struck Mendoza with his taser to attempt to subdue him…