A pig’s head was thrown at the former home of Barry Brodd, a former California police officer who was a defense witness for Derek Chauvin during his murder trial for the killing of George Floyd.
According to NBC News, the incident took place in Santa Rosa, California early Saturday morning (April 17). Brodd used to be a resident of the home, but had relocated years ago. Police believe he was targeted due to his testimony during the Chauvin trial.
“Mr. Brodd has not lived at the residence for a number of years and is no longer a resident of California,” police said. “Because Mr. Brodd no longer lives in the city of Santa Rosa, it appears the victim was falsely targeted.”
The animal’s head was found on the front porch by a person who was at the home. The front of the house was also covered in smeared blood. People who were dressed in black reportedly fled the scene as the person called 911. Police believe the same culprits later vandalized a nearby statue with animal blood. They left a sign that read, “Oink, oink.”
Last week, Brodd took the stand and testified that Floyd’s death was “accidental.” He compared the neck restraint that Chauvin used on Floyd for more than nine minutes to an officer firing a stun gun at a suspect who then falls, hits his or her head and dies.
“That isn’t an incident of deadly force,” Brodd said, according to The Associated Press. “That’s an incident of an accidental death.”
Last week, Santa Rosa Police Chief Rainer Navarro distanced his department from Brodd’s testimony. He released a statement saying that his comments “do not reflect the values and beliefs of the Santa Rosa Police Department” and that Brodd has not worked for the city since 2004.
Check out photos of Brodd’s former home below.