The Indian Embassy in the United States on Saturday reacted strongly to recent developments in the Jaahnavi Kandula death case and said it has raised the issue with local authorities for appropriate redressal. The King County prosecutor’s office on Wednesday said the police officer can not be charged with a felony due to sufficient lack of evidence.
The Consulate General in Seattle on Saturday tweeted, “On the recently released investigation report of the King County Prosecution Attorney on the unfortunate death of Jaahnavi Kandula, Consulate has been in regular touch with the designated family representatives and will continue to extend all possible support in ensuring justice for Jaahnavi and her family.”
It added, “We have also raised the matter strongly with local authorities, including Seattle Police for appropriate redress. The case has now been referred to the Seattle City Attorney’s office for review. We await completion of Seattle Police's administrative investigation and will continue to monitor progress on the case.”
Jaahnavi Kandula was killed in January last year after she was struck by a police vehicle driven by Officer Kevin Dave. He was driving 74 mph (more than 119 kmph) on the way to a report of an overdose.
The case garnered widespread attention after another officer, identified as Daniel Auderer, was heard on a body camera video released by the Seattle police department commenting that Kandula's life had "limited value" and that the city should just write a check for $11,000. Auderer was set to face action for his comments, which the Civilian OPA said it "undermined public trust in the department, himself, and his colleagues."
The King County prosecutor’s office in a memo to the police department on Wednesday said there was a lack of sufficient evidence under the Washington State law to prove a criminal case beyond a reasonable doubt. The memo added that Dave had on his emergency lights and that other pedestrians reported hearing his siren. It added that Kandula appeared to try to run across the intersection after seeing his vehicle approaching. "She might also have been wearing wireless earbuds that could have diminished her hearing," they noted. For those reasons, a felony charge of vehicular homicide was not warranted. However, the city prosecutors could file lesser charges, such as negligent driving.
Kandula’s family in a statement said they were shocked and their daughter did nothing wrong. “It was dark and he did not use his siren. Jaanhavi was in a marked crosswalk when she was struck. We are pursuing our legal rights to obtain justice for Jaahnavi even though the city of Seattle has failed to do so," it said.
