Jury Selection Today for Man Accused of Starting Events that Turned Deadly

Jury selection is set to begin today for the trial of Oscar Carrillo, an undocumented immigrant, who made an untruthful 911 call more than a year ago that triggered a series of events leading to the shooting death of Kendrec McDade, 19, by Pasadena police officers.

Carrillo faces faces one count of falsely reporting an emergency, three counts of falsely reporting a criminal offense and two counts of delaying or obstructing a peace officer, the Pasadena Star-News reported.

Police said two officers, Mathew Griffin and Jeffery Newlen, believed McDade had a weapon the night of March 24, 2012, because Carrillo, who reported the backpack theft falsely, told a 911 dispatcher he had been robbed by armed assailants on Orange Grove Boulevard at Summit Avenue.

Carrillo later recanted his earlier statements and admitted that he never saw a gun, but lied to the 911 operator because he was mad and believed that the police would respond more quickly if they believed a gun was involved.

Patrol Officers Newlen and Griffin responded to the scene and located McDade at Fair Oaks Avenue and Orange Grove Blvd. An officer involved shooting occurred, following a foot pursuit and confrontation with McDade. He later died from his injuries, according to a statement from the Pasadena Police Department.

The fatal shooting of the teenager by the two Pasadena police officers was lawful and within departmental policy, according to a statement released by the Pasadena Police Department.