Shooting Ruled Justified By District Attorney
San Andreas, CA — The Calaveras County District Attorney’s Office has concluded that Detective Wade Whitney was justified in discharging his weapon to prevent great bodily injury or death to Detective Rick Dibasilio during that May 27 altercation with Michael Thompson in the Railroad Flat area.
According to District Attorney Jeff Tuttle it was determined by his office, "That after a full investigation Detective Whitney was justified in discharging his weapon to prevent great bodily injury or death to Detective Rick Debasilio under both Pedal Code Sections 196 and 197."
Thompson was attempting to back a stolen Chevy Camaro out of a driveway with DiBasilio hanging onto the vehicle. Whitney fired a number of rounds which disabled Thompson who recovered at a Modesto Hospital.
Later it was determined that Dibasilio’s shoulder wound was inflicted by a ricochet from one of Whitney’s rounds. Blood tests indicated that Thompson was under the influence of methamphetamine at the time of the incident.
Thompson remains incarcerated in the County Jail. His bail was set at $750,000.
Written by bill.johnson@mlode.com
