Tommi Fineman holds a photo of her son Ryan Twyman.Photo:Luis Sinco/ Los Angeles Times via Getty
Luis Sinco/ Los Angeles Times via Getty
A former Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy originally charged with manslaughter pleaded no contest to two counts of assault after fatally shooting an unarmed Black man in 2019.
Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced the conviction of Andrew Lyons, who shot Ryan Twyman, 24, in Willowbrook, Calif., while the latter sat in his vehicle.
“Justice has been served for Mr. Twyman’s family who have spent years mourning the loss of their loved one,” Gascón said. “This verdict reflects my office’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that every individual, regardless of their profession, is held accountable for their actions."
The district attorney says Lyons is expected to be sentenced to two years of probation and serve 30 days in county jail after pleading no contest to one felony count of assault with a semi-automatic firearm and one count of assault under the color of authority.
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Lyons and the other deputy then opened fire and the car came to a stop, authorities say. When the car stopped, Lyons then retrieved a semi-automatic assault rifle and fired into the vehicle, according to the district attorney. Twyman was killed in the shooting.
Twyman’s family appeared with Gascón at the press conference announcing the conviction on Jan. 12.
“Today is bittersweet,” his mother Tommi Twyman said, according to a report from FOX 11. “I miss him, we all miss him. We miss his smile, his laugh, him chasing dogs around the backyard and his three boys really miss him.”
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source: people.com
