Trial begins this week for APD officer charged in deadly south Austin shooting
USTIN (KXAN) -- Jury selection begans Monday for the trial of Daniel Sanchez, who shot and killed Rajan Moonesinghe while responding to a 911 call in south Austin in November of 2022.
In December of 2023, a grand jury indicted Sanchez on a deadly conduct charge in connection with the shooting.
At this point, jury selection is expected to take place Monday and Tuesday and opening statements are set to begin Thursday. The trial will not take place Wednesday because of Election Day, according to attorneys working the case.
The shooting
On Nov. 15, 2022, Austin Police Department officers responded to a call around 12:30 a.m. about a man with a gun. The caller said the man seemed to be afraid of something, and that he shot a gun into his home from the front porch.
APD said when officers arrived on South Third Street, they heard gunshots while still in their patrol vehicle.
“Both arriving officers then drove past the residence. The two officers exited their vehicles and sought cover while Mr. Moonesinghe, who was standing on the porch, continued firing a rifle,” APD said.
Officers gave commands to drop the gun, and Sanchez shot him right afterwards.
You can view police body camera video of that shooting here.
APD previously said Sanchez acted in accordance with his training and that the department "will continue to support" him.
Moonesinghe family files wrongful death lawsuit
Last November, Moonesinghe's family filed a lawsuit against the city and the three APD officers who responded to the original 911 call.
The lawsuit calls for things like additional de-escalation training and even incentives for officers who successfully de-escalate situations. It alleges wrongful death by APD and claims officers waited too long to render aid to Moonesinghe.
The family’s underlying hope is that seeking this monetary value will “put pressure” on the City to make the changes the family has been pushing for.
“This is our last ditch effort to really make this change happen,” said Moonesinghe's brother Mark during a press conference about the lawsuit.
Explaining a deadly conduct charge
A deadly conduct charge holds a punishment range of 2-10 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. Probation is also possible if a person has not been previously convicted.
Last year, a jury in a completely different case found a former APD officer Christopher Taylor guilty of deadly conduct in the 2019 death of Mauris DeSilva.
Legal experts have told KXAN that evidence and outcomes from Taylor's case can not impact Sanchez's, but Taylor's case may come up during jury selection.