East Baton Rouge, La., District Attorney Hillar C. Moore III recused himself Monday from the case involving last week’s fatal shooting of Alton Sterling by police.
Moore called the decision “one of the hardest things I’ve had to do in my career.”
According to The Advocate, Moore has a long professional relationship with the parents of Officer Blane Salamoni, who allegedly shot Sterling. Both of Salamoni’s parents have served with the Baton Rouge Police Department.
Sterling, a 37-year-old black man, was fatally shot outside a convenience store last week.
The investigation into the shooting by Salamoni and Officer Howie Lake II is being handled by the FBI and federal prosecutors. Moore’s office would have become involved with prosecuting the case should the Justice Department decide against federal charges.
The Louisiana attorney general’s office can now either keep the case to handle itself, or assign it to another DA office in the state.
Attorney General Jeff Landry did not officer insight into what might happen next.
“The Louisiana Department of Justice trusts the federal government will prepare a full, fair and thorough investigation in this matter, and we look forward to fulfilling our responsibilities upon completion of the investigation and receipt of the complete investigative materials,” Landry’s statement said.
“Considering the Louisiana Department of Justice will not have full access to this investigation until the federal government’s actions are completed, we will not make any further comment about this ongoing investigation beyond the LADOJ will be prepared to act in a timely, prudent and judicious manner at the appropriate time.”
