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Even after the Orange County Sheriff’s Department discovered one of its investigators mishandled evidence and lied about it, the department still tasked him with probing into widespread evidence mishandling of his peers, according to a recent court motion.
Assistant Public Defender Scott Sanders alleges in his motion that the Sheriff’s Department then tried to conceal information from the district attorney’s office to lessen the chances that Det. Matthew LeFlore would be prosecuted.
LeFlore is one of the subjects of the widely reported evidence mishandling scandal, where Orange County sheriff’s deputies were found to have booked evidence late or failed to book evidence at all but subsequently lied about it in reports. For more than a year, Sanders has been revealing details about the scandal in court filings critical of the Sheriff’s Department and the district attorney’s response to the scandal.
Fire Authorities Warn of Illegal Fireworks Dangers
Independence Day celebrations are never complete without colorful nighttime explosions, but authorities in Orange County, California, say lighting fireworks is no job for amateurs.
The improper use of fireworks could spark blazes as the state enters into fire season, said Orange County Fire Authority Chief Brian Fennessy.
“To avoid the risk of fireworks and enjoy the Fourth of July, we encourage everyone to go to a public display at one of the 18 locations throughout Orange County,” Fennessy said during a June 30 press conference. “Don’t become a statistic. Leave the fireworks to professionals and have a safe Fourth of July.”
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A handcuffed 13-year-old boy picked up into the air by a deputy and slammed into a patrol car.
A deputy holding his knee on the back of an inmate’s neck for more than two minutes.
An inmate attempting suicide after being elbowed in the head by a deputy who later denied using any force when questioned by a supervisor.
Each of these instances occurred under the watch of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. None of the deputies involved in these incidents were referred to Internal Affairs for investigation or potential discipline.
The incidents are highlighted in a confidential report reviewed by TimesOC. The report, titled “Special Report on Pressing Use of Force Issues,” was prepared by the Office of Independent Review, which oversees the county’s Sheriff’s Department, district attorney’s office, public defenders office, probation department and Social Services Agency.
After violating state regulation, Orange County jails begin serving hot meals again
The Orange County Jail in Santa Ana.
(Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)
April 29, 2021 2:47 PM PT
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The Orange County Sheriff’s Department said it has resumed serving hot meals in county jails, more than a week after a state board told the agency it was violating a regulation by not providing inmates with at least one hot meal a day.
The California Board of State and Community Corrections raised the issue after it was contacted by the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California.
The ACLU sent a letter to the BSCC in early April, contending that the sheriff’s department hasn’t served hot meals in its jails for about a year.
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Surviving family members of those killed by Daniel Wozniak & Kenneth Rasmusson spoke at the annual victim s rights rally sponsored by OCDA. (Shutterstock)
LOS ALAMITOS, CA The parents of Orange County murder victims joined prosecutors and crime victims Monday calling for criminal justice reform during a rally for victims of violent crime. The crowd gathered at the annual victim s rights rally sponsored by the Orange County District Attorney s Office.
Steve Herr, the father of Sam Herr, whose killer,Daniel Wozniak, was sentenced to death, said he felt relief after jurors reached verdicts 6 1/2 years after his son s murder. That relief was shortlived after Gov. Gavin Newsom halted the death penalty in California.