OAKLAND — An Alameda County judge on Friday refused to toss the manslaughter case against former San Leandro police officer Jason Fletcher, finding no evidence that former prosecutors tainted the case by allegedly hiding evidence from defense attorneys.

Judge Thomas Reardon’s ruling clears the way for Fletcher to face trial in late January in the 2020 death of Steven Taylor, who was fatally shot inside a San Leandro Walmart.

If it proceeds to trial, it would mark first time a police officer faces a jury over an on-duty killing in Alameda County since BART Officer Johannes Mehserle was tried — and convicted — in the fatal shooting of Oscar Grant more than 15 years ago. Mehserle was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter in July 2010, by a Los Angeles County jury after the case was moved

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