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California highway cops charged in death of motorist who yelled ‘I can’t breathe’ during stop

Seven California highway cops were hit with manslaughter charges in the caught-on-video police custody death of motorist Edward Bronstein, prosecutors said Wednesday.

Bronstein, 38, died while being pinned down by the cops after a March 31, 2020 traffic stop as he screamed “I can’t breathe” — hauntingly similar to George Floyd’s police custody death in Minnesota less than two months later.

A registered nurse who drew Bronstein’s blood at the scene was also charged in connection to his death, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon said in a press release.

“For the system to work people must be able to trust law enforcement,” Gascon said. “Police accountability is critical to building that trust, and it is necessary for public safety.”

Bronstein’s death was captured in a 16-minute video from police bodycams after he was pulled over on Interstate 5 in Burbank on suspicion of driving under the influence.

The footage shows a handcuffed Bronstein scuffling with cops as they tried to forcibly draw his blood to measure his alcohol level, with the motorist initially refusing to comply.

Edward Bronstein, 38, died after being pinned down by California Highway Patrol officers on March 31, 2020, after a DUI stop. The cops are now charged with manslaughter. Carrillo Law Firm

“You are bringing the fight to this, not us,” one cop is heard saying.

“I’m not bringing the flight at all,” Bronstein replies.

“You are going face-down on the mat — and we going to keep going,” the cops says.

Eventually, Bronstein relents after being pressed to the ground, shouting, “I’ll do it willingly! I’ll do it willingly!”

Several more officers pin him down, and he can be heard screaming, “I can’t breathe!”

Bronstein’s death was captured in a 16-minute video from police bodycams after he was pulled over in Burbank. Carrillo Law Firm

After he stops moving, a minute passes before the cops turn him over — with another 11 minutes lapsing before they try to revive him with CPR. He never regained consciousness and was later pronounced dead.

The coroner’s office later attributed Bronstein’s death to “acute methamphetamine intoxication during restraint by law enforcement,” but listed the cause as “undetermined.”

The bodycam footage was ordered released last year by a judge presiding over a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Bronstein’s family.

A registered nurse who drew Bronstein’s blood at the scene was also charged in connection to his death. Carrillo Law Firm

The seven highway patrol cops — Dionisio Fiorella, 39; Michael Little, 57; Dustin Osmanson, 41; Darren Parsons, 48; Diego Romero, 35; Justin Silva, 30; and Marciel Terry, 32 — were all charged with involuntary manslaughter and assault by an officer.

Nurse Arbi Baghalian, 42, was also charged with involuntary manslaughter.

The nurse drew Bronstein’s blood while he was pinned down by the officers.

The case drew national attention after the subsequent high-profile police custody death of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25, 2020.

Floyd, whose death was captured on both bodycam and bystander cellphone videos, repeatedly pleaded that he could not breathe while being pinned down by police.

Ex-Minneapolis Police Officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of murder and manslaughter in Floyd’s death, while three other cops were charged as accomplices.

Footage of Floyd’s death sparked international protests against police brutality and fueled the international “Black Lives Matter” movement.