Denver Headlines Blog: Alexis Mendez-Perez family wants murder charges for killer

Friday, April 1, 2022

Alexis Mendez-Perez family wants murder charges for killer – ~ News

DENVER (+) — The family of a Denver teenager who was shot in the back continues to demand justice in the case.

Alexis Mendez-Perez, 16, was shot in the back by an off-duty Colorado Department of Corrections officer in 2020. The teen’s family thinks the shooter was given preferential treatment.

The district attorney has already said once she would not file charges in this case and the shooter, Desmond Manning, was cleared

But the family says that’s not acceptable. They took their appeal to the district attorney’s office. The family said they were told prosecutors would look into the case again.

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Perez’s family thinks Manning should have been charged with murder.

“Because first of all, he was shot in the back. His main defense is saying that he was put in (harm’s way) in danger. How are you going to explain you are in danger when you shot someone in the back?” Mendez-Perez’s sister, Ana Mendez, said.

Two years ago, Mendez-Perez and friends went to a vacant home in Montbello when the family in a neighboring house heard them breaking in. Mendez-Perez and a friend ran into the backyard next door when police arrived. It was Manning’s backyard, and he shot them both. Mendez-Perez died.

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“Too often in the county of Denver law enforcement officers and people affiliated with law enforcement get away with literal murder especially if it’s people of color,” said Terrance Roberts, co-founder of the Front Line Party for Revolutionary Action.

The district attorney’s office said back then, it did not have enough evidence to prove murder beyond a reasonable doubt. Manning was cleared.

Manning was let go from his DOC job. But a spokesperson said he is back on the job after the State Personnel Board directed DOC to return him to employment. DOC is appealing that decision.

“So is this man going to go to a grocery store carrying his gun and someone and someone accidentally bumps into him he’s going to shoot them in self-defense?” said Ivette Mendez, Mendez-Perez’ sister.

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That is one of the reasons the family of the dead teen says they will continue to fight for justice.

Manning told FOX31 he did not have a comment today when reached by phone. Manning referred us to his attorney who did not return our phone call.

FOX31 also learned on Tuesday that, Mendez-Perez’s girlfriend gave birth to his child after he died.

The family is pursuing a civil suit against Manning. A trial date for that proceeding is expected to be made this month.

The district attorney’s office released this statement:

It is DA McCann’s custom to meet with families who have lost a child under violent circumstances. Today, she met with the family and supporters of Alexis Mendez-Perez. They had a good conversation about her reasons for not filing charges and all parties expressed their appreciation for having a constructive conversation. There were no commitments made.

Spokesperson for Denver District Attorney Beth McCann’s office

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