To: San Luis Obispo District Attorney's Office, District Attorney Gerald Shea and Deputy District Attorney Lee Cunningham and Governor Gavin Newsom

The Defense of Austin Sarna: Free Good Samaritan

District Attorney Shea: Austin Sarna was trying to be a Good Samaritan when he was involved in the altercation in January 2012 in San Luis Obispo. It is a miscarriage of justice for him to be serving trial for attempted manslaughter. Please drop the charges immediately.

Why is this important?

Sarna had witnessed a male in a group of at least 5 men randomly attack a vehicle that had stopped at a stop sign at the corner of Broad and Monterey. When the owner of the vehicle got out of his car to confront the male, he was tackled to the ground and the group of men began physically assaulting him. Sarna rushed over to attempt to stop the assailants and help the owner of the vehicle. That's when the men turned on him. He was immediately tackled to the ground and assaulted, being repeatedly kicked and punched by 2-3 of the men while the others in the group continued to assault the owner of the vehicle. Sarna feared for his life.
Now he stands charged with attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon after defending a stranger and then being forced to defend himself.