Why was Sammy Galvan shot to death by Modesto police? The case has led to demonstrations against police brutality and numerous newspaper stories in the Modesto Bee, and now a wrongful death lawsuit will be heard in the federal courtroom in Fresno. The jury trial is expected to begin on March 11.

What both the Modesto Police Department and the Galvan family agree on was that Sammy was shot and killed by police officers in the early morning hours of August 24, 2004. According to the complaint filed in court by the Galvan family, Sammy and his girlfriend Yesenia had been arguing. Susan Galvan, Sammy’s mother, called 911 because she wanted Yesenia to stop yelling and banging on the door. Sammy lived in a cottage behind the Galvan residence.

When the police arrived, Sammy’s father, Ramon Galvan, unlocked the gate to the cottage. Sammy and Yesenia were by that time in the cottage and everything was quiet. Ramon began to lead the officers to the cottage but was prevented from getting to the door. Ramon then left the back yard to retrieve his dogs, and that is when he heard the gunshots. He yelled at the officers, asking them what was happening, and saw Yesenia being removed from the cottage.

The complaint filed in federal court describes what happened inside the cottage:

When the officers appeared at the cottage door to Sammy’s cottage, Yesenia had been inside for a long period of time. The yelling had stopped. Seated on the floor at the foot of the bed, Yesenia saw two police in the doorway next to each other. She stood up and approached them. Each had flashlights shining, which illuminated the otherwise dark room. As she approached to within about two feet of the officers, she saw their guns pointed.

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