A former LA County sheriff's deputy, Andrew Lyons, was handed a sentence of 30 days jail time and two years probation after pleading no contest to charges related to the 2019 fatal shooting of 24-year-old Ryan Twyman. Lyons, 39, was initially charged with voluntary manslaughter, however, the charge was dropped in favor of lesser felony counts, including assault with a semiautomatic firearm and assault under the color of authority, as per reports from KTLA.
The case has its roots in an incident on June 16, 2019. Lyons and another deputy approached a parked Kia sedan in Willowbrook where Twyman was seated. Twyman, who was named in a felony warrant and was unarmed, was killed during the altercation when the deputies opened fire as he reversed the vehicle. A coroner’s autopsy later revealed that Twyman had been struck six times, enduring half of his wounds to the back, KTLA outlined.
Lyons' attorneys Michael Rains and Nicole Castronovo claimed that the case was "based in politics, not facts" and argued that Lyons did not willingly take a life. They said in a statement obtained by NBC Los Angeles, "The dismissal of the voluntary manslaughter charge by the District Attorney's Office underscores this truth." They emphasized Lyons' decision to accept a plea was based on what he believed was best for his family, and that the legal conclusion would mark the end of his 15-year law enforcement career.
Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón indicated that the conviction was significant, stating, "This conviction sends a strong message that no one is above the law," during a midday news conference. He conveyed the office's dedication to holding individuals accountable for their actions, regardless of their occupation. Gascón expressed his hopes that the proceedings would bring solace to Twyman's family. "I want to express my sincere apologies for the profound grief Mr. Twyman's family has endured," he said in remarks echoed by FOX LA. His statement conveyed the duality of justice meted out against the background of a loss that remains irrevocable and profound.
As a result of the plea deal Lyons will also be permanently barred from owning a firearm, and the other deputy involved in the incident was suspended for 30 days, former Sheriff Alex Villanueva stated. Twyman's mother, Tommi Twyman, expressed mixed emotions, telling FOX LA, "Today is bittersweet. I miss him, we all miss him. We miss his smile, his laugh, him chasing dogs around the backyard and his three boys really miss him." In 2020, L.A. County settled a wrongful death lawsuit with Twyman's family for $3.9 million.
