Tags:

Police body camera footage capturing the lethal confrontation between a Palm Springs man and two bounty hunters in April was released Wednesday, shedding public light on the fatal shooting that has resulted in two murder charges.

The graphic footage provides the first opportunity for the general public to see how an alleged violation of a private bail agreement resulted in the death of David Spann in front of two Palm Springs police officers.

Fabian Hector Herrera, 36, one of the purported bounty hunters, has been charged with murder after fatally shooting Spann in the early hours of April 23 at his Indian Canyon Gardens condominium in the 100 block of East Via Escuela. He faces additional felony charges of being in possession of a firearm, ammunition and body armor as a felon.

Lisa Vargas, 54, also a bounty hunter and Herrera's mother, has been charged with murder, as well as perjury for allegedly lying on the application to purchase the firearm for Herrera. Because of his two previous felony convictions for violent assaults, Herrera was ineligible to purchase a gun.

Both have pleaded not guilty to the charges. A judge ruled Monday that there is enough evidence for the case against Herrera to proceed to trial. Vargas' case has been delayed as she was not arrested until about a month after Herrera.

The Desert Sun's request for the release of the footage, after it was played during the first day of Herrera's preliminary hearing on Aug. 23, was initially denied. Riverside County Superior Court Judge Russell Moore has since unsealed the two video clips after The Desert Sun argued the videos should be made public during a hearing Monday.

Spann's relatives were informed by The Desert Sun that the footage was released, but declined to view it.

"I don't know when I'll want to, but it will take time," Bill Spann, David's brother, said.

Palm Springs police declined to comment on the footage.