7 California Highway Patrol officers and nurse charged in 2020 in-custody death

Seven California Highway Patrol officers and a nurse have been charged in the 2020 death of a man who was held down and said he couldn’t breathe.

LOS ANGELES — Seven California Highway Patrol officers and a nurse have been charged in the 2020 death of a man who was held down and complained he couldn’t breathe, Los Angeles County’s district attorney said Wednesday.

The CHP sergeant and six officers are charged with one count apiece of involuntary manslaughter and assault under the color of authority in the death of Edward Bronstein, who had been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, District Attorney George Gascón said.

A registered nurse was charged with involuntary manslaughter. Bronstein was held down after he initially refused a blood draw, officials said.

The eight people charged were identified as Sgt. Michael Little; Officers Dionisio Fiorella, Dustin Osmanson, Darren Parsons, Diego Romero, Justin Silva and Marciel Terry; and registered nurse Arbi Baghalian.

Edward Bronstein is held down by CHP officers.CHPGascón called an 18-minute video of the incident, which was shown at a news conference Wednesday, “difficult to watch and hear as Mr. Bronstein pleads for his life.”