EL CAJON, Calif. — A jury found former La Mesa police officer Matt Dages not guilty of filing a false police report about the arrest of Amaurie Johnson.
The jury reached the verdict Friday in the trial of Matt Dages, a former La Mesa police officer who was accused of lying about the basis of his May 27, 2020, arrest of Amaurie Johnson, a young Black man who was waiting for friends outside an apartment complex near the Grossmont Transit Center.
The La Mesa Police Department did not forward the case against Amaurie Johnson to the District Attorney’s Office for prosecution, but did request the District Attorney’s Office review a case against Dages. Several law enforcement officers testified that "dishonesty in police reports can never be tolerated in our judicial system."
It was a huge sigh of relief for former la mesa police officer Matthew Dages in court. Outside of court, Dages, his family and legal team celebrated and cheered the outcome.
“I think our client is relieved, this has been a very, very long journey for him,” said Joshua Visco, attorney for Matt Dages.
The jury spent just one day deliberating the case in an El Cajon courtroom before reaching the not guilty verdict for filing a false police report about the arrest of Amaurie Johnson.
"What this case was about as whether or not he made misrepresentations in his police report and he didn't,” Visco said.
While Dages' attorneys call the entire case a political ploy, the racial justice coalition says the not guilty verdict was typical.
“Aumarie was across the street and targeted for being black in public, accused of smoking, which there no evidence, said to have needed trolley fare, which he didn’t, and was physically pounced on by an officer and violated. This case shows us that even if your constitutional rights are being violated, it is okay if law-enforcement is doing it,” said Yusef Miller of the Racial Justice Coalition of San Diego.
Activist Yusef Miller says he feels the lack of diversity in the jury played a part in the decision as there was only one black man on the jury.
“It was obvious and palpable, when you see that there is a lack of diversity on the jury,” Miller said.
Attorneys for Dages say he is now going through the legal process in court in order to become a police officer again.
"He is going to move on with his life, he still wants to be a police officer, and he believes very strongly that he should be a police officer. He has been a victim of politics, so he is fighting to get his job back,” Visco said.
Attorney Summer Stephan released the following statement:
“I want to thank the jury for their time and consideration of this case. While I respect the jury’s verdict, I remain proud that my team courageously fought for justice without prejudice against or favor towards anyone. The integrity of our criminal justice system depends on police officers filing truthful police reports and our thorough review of the facts and evidence led us to bring the charge and present the case to the jury. The community can take comfort in knowing that the vast majority of police officers in our county serve with honor and uphold the law while doing the difficult job of keeping our communities safe.”
Johnson's arrest was captured on video and circulated over social media, sparking particular condemnation in the wake of the in-custody death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, which occurred two days earlier.
Dages, who is white, was charged with a felony count of filing a false police report and could've faced up to three years behind bars if convicted. The former officer took the stand in his defense Tuesday and Wednesday.
Closing arguments wrapped Wednesday afternoon and the case went to the jury where deliberations began on Thursday and continued on Friday.
Dages was taking part in a "fare compliance operation" with other officers at the nearby trolley station and alleged in his report that he initially contacted Johnson for smoking in public and failing to have a trolley fare while being in a "fare paid zone."
Dages alleged he told Johnson he wasn't allowed to smoke in the area, then asked if Johnson lived at the apartment complex nearby. Though Johnson initially said he did live there, he later admitted he was waiting for friends to pick him up.
Deputy District Attorney Judy Taschner told an El Cajon jury that Johnson was holding a cell phone and that no lighter, cigarettes or other smoking implements were found on his person following his arrest.
The prosecutor said the interaction between Johnson and the officer escalated into an argument when Dages would not let Johnson leave the scene after his friends arrived.
Videos of the incident show Dages pushing Johnson into a seated position, which Taschner said occurred multiple times. Dages alleged in his report that Johnson balled his fists, took a "bladed stance" and struck him on the arm.
WATCH: Police Body Cam: La Mesa PD officer Dages, after the controversial arrest of Amaurie Johnson (June 2020)