Hung Jury In Former Police Officer Taser Trial

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — A jury was unable to reach a verdict today in the trial of former Richmond Police officer recorded on body-cam video repeatedly striking a man with his Taser during a traffic stop.

Eric Smith, 31, was charged by the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office with assault with a deadly weapon and inflicting great bodily injury during an attempted arrest on April 9, 2022.

Because the jury could not reach a verdict, Judge John W. Kennedy dismissed the jurors. The case will return to court on Feb. 2 to schedule either a new trial or other pre-trial matters.

Smith faced felony after being filmed repeatedly striking Saul Mendoza Jr. with a Taser - leaving him bloodied.

He faced one count of felony assault with a deadly weapon while on duty and the enhancements for inflicting great bodily injury and for the use of a deadly and dangerous weapon.

The incident happened about 1 a.m. in Richmond on April 9, 2022, during an attempted traffic stop of Saul Mendoza Jr. At one point during the encounter, Officer Smith struck Mr. Mendoza multiple times with a taser, causing great bodily injury to the victim.

"Quit resisting!!" Smith ordered. "I'm not resisting!" Mendoza replied before Smith fired a Taser gun at him and then beat him repeatedly.

Smith was fired and charged by the Contra Costa District Attorney in August 2022.