VISTA, Calif. (KGTV) -- A Vista judge has dropped two charges against Gerardo Martinez Sr., a father arrested last week by San Diego County Sheriff's deputies. Martinez Sr. was facing two charges, felony resisting arrest, and lynching of an officer.
The video surfaced last week. Martinez Sr. and his son, Gerardo Martinez Jr., arrested by five deputies. The family says the deputies used excessive force and that the two men were compliant and already in handcuffs.
On Monday, the family demanded the department release body cam video and conduct an independent investigation. They also want to see the deputies involved prosecuted.
The sheriff's department says they were called for a domestic dispute and that Martinez Jr. was armed with a knife. Deputies were also called to the home in late April for another incident involving Martinez Jr.
The family's legal team did not address any questions about what lead up to the video but said Martinez Jr. has an issue with mental illness. They plan on filing civil lawsuits at the end of the week.
The deputies in the video are on administrative duty as the investigation continues.
