Omaha, Nebraska: A former Seward County deputy was found not guilty of manslaughter by a jury. The week-long trial was related to a deadly 2023 pursuit and shooting. The not guilty verdict came Friday after jurors deliberated for roughly two and a half hours, acquitting Anthony Gann in the death of 43-year-old Jorge Luis Santana Ramirez.
Gann’s actions were found to be in compliance with department policy, but prosecutors took the case to a grand jury, which indicted Gann in 2024. Prosecutors alleged Gann unlawfully killed Santana Ramirez on October 23, 2023, after a high-speed pursuit that ended in a shooting. The case centered on whether the use of deadly force was justified in the moments after the pursuit ended and the vehicles came to a stop.
Santana Ramirez fled a traffic stop and drove the wrong way on Interstate 80 at speeds exceeding 100 mph. The defense also pointed to a prior incident on September 18, 2023, when the same vehicle was recognized during a traffic stop, and the driver fled then as well.
After the pursuit ended, the defense said Gann saw what he believed was a weapon in Santana Ramirez’s hand, later identified as a knife. Gann gave commands for over two minutes and indicated over the radio that he believed Santana Ramirez had a gun. A backup deputy arrived on the scene and confirmed that the suspect was in possession of a gun.
Santana Ramirez tested positive for methamphetamine, according to a toxicology report.
Dr. Travis Yates reviewed the case and praised the jury’s decision.
“While tragic, the idea that any prosecutor or judge can ignore policy and training, along with countless case law supporting Deputy Gann, is atrocious,” Yates said.
Yates called the jury courageous for making a difficult decision in the wake of a tragic outcome, while calling on the voters to make an example out of the district attorney and judge in the case.
