Attorney Brian Dunn to Represent Turner’s Family in Fatal Shooting by Deputies

The Cochran Firm, with office locations nationwide

Bakersfield.com / The Californian

BAKERSFIELD, CA - The attorney representing the family of former NFL player David Lee "Deacon" Turner said so far he hasn't found any evidence to suggest that Turner was committing a crime or struck a deputy before another deputy fatally shot him Sunday.

Los Angeles attorney Brian T. Dunn of The Cochran Firm, founded by famed high-profile attorney Johnnie Cochran, said the usual justification law enforcement uses in incidents where they've fatally shot someone is that the person posed a threat. Dunn doesn't think law enforcement will be able to prove that was the case with Turner.

"We haven't found anything at all to suggest that David was posing a threat of violence to these officers," Dunn said.

Family members of Turner are declining comment at this time, he said.

Turner was shot after Kern County sheriff's deputies, who were responding to reports of juveniles asking adults to buy alcohol for them, detained Turner and later confronted him when he tried to leave. A deputy was struck in the head by a bag containing two 24-ounce beers, the sheriff's department has reported.
After the deputy was struck, a second deputy, Wesley Kraft, drew his handgun and fired twice at Turner.

Turner was hit and died just before 3 a.m. at Kern Medical Center.

Do I Have A Case?

* required | Privacy Policy

  • The National Law Journal's Top 100 Verdicts of 2008