The case against a San Francisco police officer facing manslaughter charges for shooting a man on the victim’s own doorstep, eventually leading to his death several years later, will proceed in September, when the District Attorney's Office is expected to present evidence in the case.
The case of Officer Kenneth Cha, whose preliminary hearing will be heard Sept. 6, is the last of three such use-of-force cases charged by former DA Chesa Boudin. The other two cases have been dismissed.
The case centers on the shooting of Sean Moore by Cha in the Ocean View neighborhood in 2017. Moore was shot outside his front door by Cha but did not die from the injuries from the shooting until three years later.
The incident marked the first time in San Francisco that a police shooting was captured by a body-worn camera. Later that year, Cha shot and killed a knife-wielding man at a Subway restaurant on Market Street.
“I am hopeful that the DA is going forward and set a date for the prelim,” said Rebeca Young, who is representing the family of the victim.
Moore’s brother expressed relief that the long-delayed case is finally moving forward.
“This case has been going on so long; it kinda took a toll on my mother,” Ken Blackmon said.
Moore, who suffered from mental health issues that may have played a part in his interaction with Cha, died in 2020 while serving time in San Quentin State Prison for an unrelated incident. Cha was charged with voluntary manslaughter in 2021 by then-District Attorney Boudin.
In July 2022, the case was taken over by a new assistant district attorney after Jenkins was appointed DA following Boudin’s recall. Several delays in the case then followed.