OPEN GRAND JURY HEARING WILL HELP REBUILD TRUST

On Monday, a grand jury hearing into the fatal shooting of an unarmed
San Jose man by a state narcotics agent began -- and was open to the
public.

The case involved the shooting of a 43-year-old father of five,
Rodolfo ``Rudy'' Cardenas, who was mistaken for a fugitive by Bureau
of Narcotic Enforcement agents on Feb. 17. Cardenas tried to flee in a
van and on foot, but was eventually shot in the back after a chase
through city streets by unmarked police cars, without police lights or
sirens.

Questions surrounding the shooting surfaced shortly after Cardenas'
death, including concerns about why paramedics at the scene had to
wait for about five minutes before being allowed to treat Cardenas,
who bled to death.

Questionable police shootings are disturbing for any community.
Ensuring that residents have the opportunity to know everything about
the incident, investigation and court process through open proceedings
will help rebuild trust. Regardless of the outcome, the presiding
judge and the district attorney's office made the right call in
keeping the grand jury hearing transparent.