Man who punched San Jose mayor’s guard during KRON4 interview to be released from jail

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KRON) — A defense attorney for Wesley David Pollard, the man who punched San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan’s security guard in the middle of an on-camera interview with KRON4, said his client has no violent criminal history. The security guard was a plainclothes on-duty San Jose Police Department officer who was assigned to protect the mayor.

The attorney defended Pollard’s record during his first court appearance in the Santa Clara County Hall of Justice on Friday.

A judge requested to view KRON4’s video of Tuesday’s incident before making any rulings. After the judge watched the video, he granted Pollard’s release from jail late Friday afternoon.

Conditions of Pollard’s pre-trial release include: He must stay at least 300 yards away from the mayor and the SJPD officer; he cannot possess any weapons; and he is subject to random searches by police.

Santa Clara County prosecutors charged Pollard with felony resisting or deterring an officer by means of threat or violence, misdemeanor battery, and disturbing the peace.

The incident happened on April 23 while Mahan was speaking on camera to a KRON4 reporter outside a restaurant on South 1st Street downtown. Pollard, 35, was talking on his cellphone and walking down the sidewalk when he apparently interrupted the mayor speaking.

“Sorry, we’re doing an interview, sir,” Mahan tells Pollard.

“Oh, you’re doing an interview?” Pollard replies. The man’s agitation toward the mayor’s bodyguard increases. Pollard told the guard, “Ok yeah, I’m moving on, I work right there. I’m talking on the phone, you got a problem? You walked up.”

“I will smack you right now. I will (vulgarity) smack you,” Pollard tells the officer. As the mayor, his staff members, and KRON4’s reporter take a few steps back, a fist fight ensues between Pollard and the officer.

Police Chief Paul Joseph described the man’s behavior as “aggressive” and “threatening.” The officer had asked the man to step back so that the mayor could continue his interview, according to the chief. “This person refused, advanced on the officer, and violently assaulted the officer by punching him repeatedly in the face,” Joseph wrote.

With KRON4’s news camera still rolling, the man can be seen on video punching the officer in the head and jumping around with a boxer’s stance. The two men grab onto each other and maintain their grips until backup arrived.

Police officers arrested Pollard and booked him into jail. The injured officer was treated in a hospital overnight.

Pollard did not enter a plea on Friday. A judge ordered him to return to court in July for an arraignment.

Mayor Mahan told KRON4, “I’m grateful to my security officer who worked incredibly hard and at risk to himself to ensure everyone was kept safe in what was a very tense situation. He did his job, used his de-escalation training and remained level-headed even while being physically assaulted. Cases like this deserve a comprehensive and transparent review in order to maintain trust between our law enforcement officers and the community they protect.”

Police Chief Joseph said the video only recorded part of the incident. Off-camera, the officer identified himself as an officer, and made “many attempts” to deescalate, while also protecting the mayor, Joseph wrote.

According to SJPD, Pollard has an outstanding warrant for his arrest in Georgia for resisting arrest with violence. His home address is listed as a homeless shelter in downtown San Jose that serves recently released inmates, court records show.

San Jose Silicon Valley NAACP President Jethroe Moore sent a letter to the police chief expressing concerns over how his officer handled the incident.

Moore’s letter states in-part: “I am writing to you with deep concern regarding an incident that took place (Tuesday) involving a physical altercation between the San Jose mayor’s security detail and a pedestrian. Upon viewing the video of the incident, I was troubled by the rapid escalation of the situation into a physical altercation. The officer involved in the altercation did not clearly identify himself as a law enforcement officer, and it appears that there was no legal basis for instructing the pedestrian to move from his location in a public space. The pedestrian’s reaction, although stating a warning, should have been met with a more measured response from the officer, considering the circumstances.”

Moore said reactions from bystanders were also “troubling.” The letter continues, “Instead of intervening or seeking help, many individuals appeared passive, choosing to record the incident on their cell phones instead. This lack of active involvement from bystanders highlights the need for community education on how to safely and effectively intervene in such situations to prevent further escalation or harm. As the head of the San Jose Police Department, I urge you to conduct a comprehensive review of the incident, including the actions of all parties involved, to ensure accountability and transparency.”

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