News Release:
Thursday, June 27, 2024
For Immediate Release
June 27, 2024
Media Contact: [email protected]
KENT – A jury convicted Auburn police officer Jeff Nelson of murdering 26-year-old Jesse Sarey in 2019. Nelson is the first officer to be convicted of murder in Washington state for on-duty actions. Jesse was the third person Nelson killed during his career as an officer.
Enoka Herat, Policing and Immigration Policy Program Director for the ACLU of Washington, had the following statement:
“No verdict would be true justice for Jesse Sarey – true justice would mean Jesse was never murdered in the first place. Today’s verdict is about accountability, and finally holding Officer Nelson responsible for his actions. The fact that this is the first time an officer was found guilty of killing a community member shows how broken the system is and speaks to the need for all of us to continue to demand accountability for harm caused by law enforcement. No one should lose their life in an encounter with police, and officers should not be able to act with impunity. Our thoughts are with Jesse’s family who have advocated relentlessly for accountability and justice in this case and beyond.
Jesse should still be alive today.”
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June 27, 2024
Media Contact: [email protected]
ACLU of Washington Statement on trial of Officer Jeff Nelson
KENT – A jury convicted Auburn police officer Jeff Nelson of murdering 26-year-old Jesse Sarey in 2019. Nelson is the first officer to be convicted of murder in Washington state for on-duty actions. Jesse was the third person Nelson killed during his career as an officer.
Enoka Herat, Policing and Immigration Policy Program Director for the ACLU of Washington, had the following statement:
“No verdict would be true justice for Jesse Sarey – true justice would mean Jesse was never murdered in the first place. Today’s verdict is about accountability, and finally holding Officer Nelson responsible for his actions. The fact that this is the first time an officer was found guilty of killing a community member shows how broken the system is and speaks to the need for all of us to continue to demand accountability for harm caused by law enforcement. No one should lose their life in an encounter with police, and officers should not be able to act with impunity. Our thoughts are with Jesse’s family who have advocated relentlessly for accountability and justice in this case and beyond.
Jesse should still be alive today.”
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