Some prosectors concerned LA s new progressive prosecutor is progressing too far
Last month I noted in this post that L.A. County District Attorney George Gascón made a lot of bold policy changes in his first day in office. Now this new
Politico article, headlined California prosecutors revolt against Los Angeles DA’s social justice changes, highlights the push-back these policy changes are engendering. Here are excerpts:
Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón ran on a vow to shake up America’s largest law enforcement jurisdiction. Sweeping progressive changes followed and so has the California backlash.
Within weeks of taking office, Gascón instructed prosecutors to stop seeking the death penalty and trying juveniles as adults. He ordered a halt to most cash bail requests and banned prosecutors from appearing at parole hearings. Most controversially, he barred prosecutors from seeking various sentencing enhancements.
Citing the case of a convicted child rapist, L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger is concerned the rights of victims of violent crimes are not being protected under D.A. George Gascón.
Because of the recent rainfall, Los Angeles County Health Officer Muntu Davis, MD, MPH, is cautioning residents about beach water use due to bacteria, chemicals, debris, trash, and other public health hazards from city streets and mountain areas that are likely to contaminate ocean waters at and around discharging storm drains, creeks, and rivers.
Individuals who enter the water in these areas could become ill.
This advisory will be in effect until at least Wednesday, January 27 at 7:30 a.m. and may be extended depending on further rainfall.
Recorded information on beach water use conditions is available 24 hours a day at 1-800-525-5662.
An inquest into the death of Andres Guardado has confirmed the 18-year-old s death as a homicide. Last year, Guardado was shot five times in the back while working as a security guard at an auto body shop. The deputies involved in his killing, Miguel Vega and Chris Hernandez, allegedly saw him with a gun. Guardado then ran away, and deputies chased him into an alley. While a 40-caliber semiautomatic pistol that hadn t been fired was found at the scene, authorities were unable to clarify whether Guardado ever aimed the gun at the deputies.
The inquest into his death was the first in Los Angeles County in more than 30 years. Former Court of Appeals Justice Candace Cooper, who conducted the inquest, came to the conclusion that Guardado s death was a homicide.