FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SAPD OFFICER ENTERS PLEA TO MANSLAUGHTER IN DEATH OF FELLOW OFFICER

San Antonio, Texas: May 21, 2009:

Today former San Antonio Police Officer David Seaton, age 43, entered pleas to one count of Manslaughter and one count of Aggravated Assault with Serious Bodily Injury.

These charges arise from the events of November 28, 2008, when Seaton, while on duty, was driving his patrol car on Potranco Road responding to a nonemergency shoplifting call. Seaton, while traveling at an approximate speed of 102 mph in violation of departmental procedures, entered the intersection of Potranco Road and Hunt Lane on a red light, and struck a vehicle driven by Darrell Lampkin, age 22, a civilian. Seaton’s patrol car then struck Officer Robert Davis, 28, who was on the side of the road clearing flares from a previous accident. Officer Davis died at the hospital from his injuries. Darrell Lampkin and David Seaton both suffered serious bodily injuries. Officer Davis had been on the force for one year and Seaton had served two.

The plea agreement calls for a term of confinement of up to 10 years in prison. Because Seaton has never been convicted of a felony, he is eligible for probation. As a requirement of the plea, Seton is permanently surrendering his peace officer certification. 226th District Court Judge Sid Harle will determine Seaton’s punishment. The punishment hearing is set for August 31, 2009 at 1:30 p.m.

Seaton was charged with Manslaughter for the death of Officer Davis and Aggravated Assault with Serious Bodily Injury for the injuries sustained by Darrell Lampkin. Manslaughter and Aggravated Assault are both 2nd degree felonies, which carry a range of punishment of 2 years to 20 years confinement in the Texas Department of Corrections and up to a $10,000 fine.

For more information, contact Cliff Herberg, First Assistant District Attorney, at 335-2342 or Adriana Biggs, Chief, White Collar Crime Division at 335-2404.