Judge Hatchett vows to ‘aggressively pursue justice’ for Castile Family

News Brief

Judge Glenda Hatchett and The Hatchett Law Firm announced in a press conference today that they will represent the family of Philando Castile in all civil legal matters related to his fatal shooting by police after a traffic stop Wednesday, July 6. Appearing with Valerie Castile, Philando’s mother, on the St. Paul Capitol Grounds Tuesday morning, Judge Hatchett called Castile’s shooting a “horrible, horrible senseless tragedy,” and stated they will pursue a civil lawsuit and legislative changes.

Valerie Castile also spoke to the media, noting that her son would have turned 33 years old Saturday. She called Philando the “driving force” within her to press for justice. Speaking directly to the press, Valerie Castile said, “You guys want to ask a question — I have one question myself!  In what country [does] being honest and telling the truth…get you killed? You answer that one for me!”

She also commented on the violent protests that occurred during a police stand-off on I-94 Saturday night, July 9, resulting in 100 arrests, stating, “Regarding the protests, I don’t approve of violence because violence begets violence. And that is not the way to obtain justice.”

Judge Hatchett did not disclose information about the lawsuit, stating that details will be disclosed once the lawsuit is filed. She pledged to aggressively pursue justice for the Castile family beyond the investigation of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

Hatchett was the host of the nationally syndicated TV show Judge Hatchett and served eight years as chief judge of the Juvenile Court of Fulton County in Atlanta, Ga.

(See video of the press conference below courtesy of the Uptake.org livestream)

After the press conference, Valerie Castile took a phone call from President Obama, who she said told her that he and First Lady Michelle Obama extended their  support. She also said he told her he would speak on Philando today while in Dallas. A funeral for Philando Castile is set for Thursday, July 14 at the Cathedral of St. Paul, 239 Selby Ave., with the processional beginning at Brooks Funeral Home. The visitation at Brooks Funeral Home is from 10 am to the time of service at 12 pm.

See Valerie Castile talk about her phone call from President Obama below, as well as recount a story about her son’s strong dedication to his job. The MSR will continue to cover this story as news develops.