Why It Matters
The re-indictment of a former Los Angeles Police Department officer underscores the ongoing legal and political challenges surrounding police accountability in California. As multiple district attorney administrations weigh in on a single case, the proceedings highlight the difficulties prosecutors face in securing convictions for use-of-force incidents that occurred years prior.
What Happened
A Los Angeles County grand jury has returned a new indictment against former LAPD Officer Clifford Proctor, charging him with second-degree murder in connection with the 2015 death of Brendon Glenn, according to reporting from latimes.com. The decision marks a significant reversal after Superior Court Judge Ronald S. Coen dismissed the previous murder charges against Proctor in June 2026.
Glenn, an unarmed homeless man, was killed in May 2015 outside a bar in Venice Beach. During the incident, Proctor shot Glenn in the back while attempting to make an arrest. Video evidence from the scene did not show Glenn reaching for a weapon at the time of the shooting. Additionally, Proctor’s partner, Jonathan Kawahara, told investigators he did not believe Glenn was reaching for his gun when Proctor fired.
The case has drawn scrutiny due to conflicting accounts of the event. DiMario Thomas Sr., a bar bouncer who witnessed the shooting, testified before the grand jury that Proctor had asked him to corroborate a claim that Glenn reached for a firearm. This testimony contradicted the narrative used to justify the use of force.
Proctor, 61, appeared in court on Monday and pleaded not guilty to the second-degree murder charge. The legal trajectory of the case has been complex, spanning three different district attorney administrations. In 2015, then-LAPD Chief Charlie Beck called for manslaughter charges, but then-District Attorney Jackie Lacey declined to press criminal charges against Proctor.
After George Gascón took office as district attorney in 2020, he hired a special prosecutor to reexamine the case. That review led to a murder indictment in 2024. However, prosecutors did not advance the case or seek custody of Proctor at that time. The former officer was arrested by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials at Los Angeles International Airport in October 2025, despite an existing warrant for his arrest.
Nathan Hochman, the current district attorney, hired special prosecutor Michael Gennaco to review the case following Judge Coen’s dismissal of the initial charges. The grand jury’s decision to indict Proctor again suggests that prosecutors believe there is sufficient evidence to proceed with a criminal trial.
By the Numbers
- 1 — Count of second-degree murder charged in the new indictment
- 61 — Age of former officer Clifford Proctor
- 11 — Years between the 2015 shooting and the current legal proceedings
- 3 — Number of district attorney administrations involved in reviewing the case
Zoom Out
The Proctor case reflects broader national debates over police use of force and prosecutorial discretion. Similar incidents have drawn attention in other jurisdictions, where delayed accountability has fueled public distrust in law enforcement institutions. In California, shifts in leadership at the district attorney level often lead to reevaluations of past cases, particularly those involving police conduct.
The case also parallels other high-profile prosecutions involving law enforcement officers in the state. For example, a recent conviction in Los Angeles County highlighted the jury’s willingness to hold individuals accountable for violent crimes against deputies, as seen in the first-degree murder conviction of a man involved in an ambush shooting. Such outcomes demonstrate that juries may distinguish between different types of violent offenses, even when they involve law enforcement personnel.
The prolonged nature of the Proctor investigation also raises questions about resource allocation and legal strategy. Special prosecutors are often appointed to handle cases with significant public interest or political sensitivity, ensuring impartiality and thoroughness. In this instance, the appointment of Michael Gennaco under District Attorney Hochman signals a renewed effort to address unresolved issues from previous administrations.
What’s Next
Proctor will now face formal charges in Superior Court, where he must enter a plea and begin preparing for trial. The prosecution will need to present evidence that satisfies the burden of proof for second-degree murder, including demonstrating intent or reckless disregard for human life. Defense attorneys are likely to challenge the admissibility of certain testimonies and video evidence, particularly those obtained years after the incident.
If convicted, Proctor could face significant prison time, depending on sentencing guidelines for second-degree murder in California. The outcome of this case may also influence future policies regarding police accountability and prosecutorial review processes. As the trial progresses, legal experts and civil rights advocates will closely monitor how the court handles evidence related to use-of-force decisions made over a decade ago.
For more coverage on law enforcement accountability in California, see California Jury Convicts Man of First-Degree Murder in Ambush Shooting of Los Angeles County Deputy.