A decade after former LAPD officer Clifford Proctor fatally shot an unarmed homeless man in the back, he now faces second-degree murder charges.
Story Overview
- Former LAPD officer Clifford Proctor charged with second-degree murder for the 2015 shooting of unarmed homeless man Brendon Glenn.
- The case initially declined by DA Jackie Lacey in 2018, then reopened by progressive DA George Gascón in 2020.
- LAPD’s own investigation contradicted Proctor’s claim that Glenn reached for his partner’s weapon.
- City already paid $4 million wrongful death settlement to Glenn’s family despite no criminal charges at the time.
Political Prosecutorial Reversal Raises Questions
The Brendon Glenn case demonstrates how prosecutorial decisions can be weaponized based on political pressure rather than legal merit. DA Jackie Lacey declined to prosecute Proctor in 2018, citing insufficient evidence after a thorough investigation.
However, when progressive DA George Gascón took office in 2020, he reopened the case as part of his broader anti-police agenda. This reversal occurred despite no new evidence emerging, raising serious concerns about prosecutorial integrity and the rule of law.
Proctor’s defense attorney rightfully questioned the timing and fairness of charges filed nearly a decade after the incident. Such delayed prosecutions violate fundamental principles of swift justice and suggest political motivations rather than legitimate legal concerns.
The case now falls to current DA Nathan Hochman, who must decide whether to continue this questionable prosecution.
Investigation Contradicts Officer’s Account
On May 5, 2015, Proctor shot Glenn twice in the back during a struggle outside a Venice bar. Proctor claimed Glenn was reaching for his partner’s gun, but the LAPD Police Commission’s 2016 investigation found Glenn’s hand was never near the officer’s holster.
Additionally, Proctor’s own partner did not support his version of events, undermining the self-defense claim significantly.
The contradictory evidence and witness statements paint a troubling picture of the incident. Glenn, a 29-year-old homeless man, had been involved in a dispute with a bar bouncer before officers intervened.
Despite being unarmed and shot in the back, initial prosecutorial review determined charges were unwarranted based on available evidence and legal standards.
City Settlement and Accountability Concerns
Los Angeles paid Glenn’s family a $4 million wrongful death settlement, acknowledging civil liability while criminal charges remained pending.
This substantial payout occurred despite the initial decision not to prosecute, suggesting city officials recognized problematic circumstances surrounding the shooting. Proctor resigned from the LAPD in 2017, effectively ending his law enforcement career.
Former LAPD officer charged with murder in 2015 shooting of unarmed homeless man https://t.co/fKE50KdIem
— ABC11 EyewitnessNews (@ABC11_WTVD) October 26, 2025
The case reflects broader issues with police accountability and prosecutorial consistency in Los Angeles. While officer-involved shootings deserve thorough investigation, the political manipulation of prosecutorial decisions undermines public trust in both law enforcement and the justice system.
True accountability requires consistent application of legal standards, not politically motivated prosecutions that change with electoral outcomes.
Sources:
Former LAPD officer charged with murder in 2015 shooting of unarmed homeless man
Ex-LAPD officer arrested in 2015 fatal officer-involved shooting
Ex-LAPD officer Clifford Proctor murder indictment
