Attorneys today for the family of a man shot and killed by a Jefferson Parish deputy in May lashed out at Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto.
Attorney Christopher Murrel represents the family of Modesto Reyes.
"Because we knew we could not rely on the Jefferson Parish Sheriff to bring the truth, to bring honesty, to bring accountability; an independent autopsy was done. It shows the sheriff's version is a lie," he accused today.
He says that autopsy shows Reyes was shot twice in the back and the sheriff's account cannot be true.
The night that a deputy shot Reyes, Sheriff Lopinto said, "He had came up with one gun. He was actually in possession of two firearms at that period of time, pointed one of them at our deputies. One of our deputies ended up firing several shots, striking the individual who was later pronounced dead here on the scene."
Today the sheriff did not dispute that Reyes was shot in the back, but insisted that was only part of the story.
"He was shot in the back and shot in the front. The autopsy report shows both, which is the same thing I said the other day. He was rolling over at the time. He was shot twice in the back and twice in the front."
Murrel says Reyes did have two guns in his backpack, but none in his hand like the sheriff claimed.
Lopinto said both guns were in Reyes' hands.
Murrel added, "What we know about the Jefferson Parish Sheriff Offices is that it is infected, corrupted and does not hold its deputies accountable."
Attorney Ron Haley today said a Jefferson Parish deputy also shot a 14-year-old in the back while the teen was on the ground complying with cops.
Haley represents the family of 14-year-old Tre’Mall McGee.
"That is absolutely ridiculous and the community should not accept that. You should not be able to give the same cop speak that, 'Listen our officers did the right thing,' without explanation; especially when you have shot an unarmed child in the back."
Lopinto invited McGee to come in and give a statement, saying what his deputy said justified the shooting.
"My deputy has given a statement in this case. I am asking the kid to come confirm or contradict it," the sheriff said.
He did confirm that the deputy shot McGee in the back.
Watch both news conferences below: