With calls already underway for a recall attempt, Gascon defended his decision to ask for the dismissal of sentencing enhancements that can add extra time to defendants’ sentences and said there is “ample evidence sentencing enhancements do not necessarily make us any safer.”
Gascon — who said he had a “mandate from the public” and intended to “follow that mandate” — said he issued the directive with the support of “survivors,” families and others in the field “because it was the right thing to do.”
Gascon announced last week that his office would no longer pursue the death penalty, try juveniles as adults, seek cash bail for misdemeanor and non- serious, non-violent felonies, or add gang and other enhancements to criminal complaints.
“People that commit a crime and where it is appropriate for us to prosecute because we have the admissible evidence to move forward and we believe that the person has committed a crime, they are going to be facing accountability,” he said Wednesday. “And that accountability will be proportionate to the crime, and enhancements do not have anything to do with accountability.”
The district attorney — who was sworn in nine days ago — said he was honored to join the men and women in the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office in “moving in a direction of reform, redemption, rehabilitation and trying to take our criminal justice system away from the very harmful impact of mass incarceration over the last several decades.”
“However, I do have to say I’m somewhat troubled by the misinformation and the fear-mongering that I have seen expressed over and over during the last few days,” Gascon said. “It’s not surprising to me, you know, that people have benefited from a system that has been impacting communities in so many negative ways without necessarily producing good results because they had a monetary interest. I know there are people in the criminal justice system across the board both in the private and the public sectors that have greatly benefited from mass incarceration …”
He noted that he has created an advisory board for crime survivors.
Without going into the details of one of the first high-profile criminal cases filed under his administration, the district attorney noted that a defendant charged in a “horrific case in Lancaster” could face “more than a half a century” behind bars if he’s convicted.
Gascon was referring to a double-murder case filed last week against Maurice Jewel Taylor Sr., who is accused of decapitating his 12-year-old son and 13-year-old daughter and showing the victims’ remains to his two younger sons.
The murder charges against Taylor do not include special circumstance allegations that could have made him eligible for the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The district attorney said he has heard about the “hue and cry” about how the filing decision may “somehow provide less safety for our community in the case.”
“What would be the utility to take somebody that is probably going to spend the rest of his life in prison to continue to add years and waste taxpayers’ money on additional litigation,” he said.
In at least two cases over the past week, judges have refused to dismiss sentencing allegations that had been filed under two-term incumbent Jackie Lacey’s prior administration, and the issue is likely to arise in many other cases.
Two attorneys representing the families of crime victims have spoken out in recent days against the district attorney’s new directives.
“Did you know when you voted for the newly elected district attorney he was going to go to court and strike special circumstances to allow rapists and murderers to go back on the street early? Did he tell you that?” asked attorney Brian Claypool, who represents family members of two child murder victims.
Claypool noted his concern that the county’s top prosecutor may try to reverse the death sentence of Isauro Aguirre, who is on death row for the May 2013 killing of his girlfriend’s 8-year-old son, Gabriel Fernandez, in Palmdale.
On his campaign website, Gascon vowed to work with “various stakeholders to get as many of the 229 people currently on death row from Los Angeles County resentenced to a sentence other than death.”
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Jake says
… “who’s the leader of the club that’s made for you and me?” Your worst nightmare, the most powerful person in America is soon to become, Rachel Maddow! Once Harris-Biden are inaugurated, the one person in control of everything in America becomes, Rachel Maddow. Under Harris and Biden, unless it’s reported by MSNBC or CNN — unless Rachel Maddow says something about it — government doesn’t have to do anything about it. Rachel Maddow’s number 1 fan boy, George Gascon. For George Gascon, whatever Rachel Maddow says, goes –
Loam says
His claim of a “mandate” is wrong and purely self-serving. He squeaked past in this election and the items he is running on were countered by citizens. Should we ask the citizens what they think about the death penalty or ending cash bail? Oh, we did and those results said that the citizenry of California clearly support the death penalty and keeping cash bail. These are legal laws of the state that he is ignoring based on his own whim.
Matt says
One thing I could never understand about most Republicans. How can you be pro-life and pro death penalty?
Beecee says
Unborn children have a chance at living a fulfilling life that the criminal failed at.
Common sense.
Matt says
Common sense my arse. That is not what the bible says, and we know Republicans are Godly people. So try and explain it to me again. This time with real logic and not just how u have justified it to be ok in your mind. It does not say thou shall not kill…..unless you have committed a crime. So please, try again.
Loam says
It sounds like you are mixing up Republicans with bible-thumpers.
Loam says
I am trying to defend Republicans, but some people feel that the death penalty is a court-issued judgement on well-researched activities based on specific decisions and actions of the judged – basically the judged person killed one or more people.
In abortion, the soon-to-be-life did not commit a crime, let alone kill anyone.
Matt says
In the midwest, is there a difference? Lol. What I am saying is the majority of Republicans go that way because of their faith. A state like Texas where I lived 20 years ago. Hard red at the time, very against abortion, but had the most executions. If the death penalty is against Gods will, then why is it ok in religious minds regardless of what they have done. To me its hypocritical, but alot of people who hide behind religion seem to be hypocrites. BTW, I’ve seen your comments here in the past Loam, and while we hardly agree, thanks for just making a thoughtful comment unlike Beecee does using her own justification in her head and believing it should be accepted as ok by all.
truth says
how can you be anti death penalty while aborting millions?
Really? says
Innocent vs scum of the earth dripping in evil. The latter made a choice to kill in a violent and / or disgusting manner with forethought. The former was an innocent little life someone just decided to rip out and stick in a bag.
Now that was not so hard to understand was it?
P.S. There are quite a few Democrats who are pro life. Not all of you are cool with tossing babies in the trash.
Matt says
Again against Gods will.
Matt says
Not saying abortion is ok. What I’m saying is if you are prolife, how can you be pro death penalty. Please follow along.
Come soon says
Come soon Lord Jesus to set up your Kingdom on earth. Who know how many are repenting and receiving forgiveness.
Gonzo says
… in case no one’s told you? America has been effectively destabilized.
Hallmark characteristic of a free-market economy: currency divisibility (e.g., the US$10 bill in your pocket, is worth exactly the same, as the US$10 bill, in mine). Hallmark characteristic of a democracy, (1) free ‘n fair elections, (2) equal rights under the law.
Different laws for different people, specific leniencies earmarked for specific cohorts, extraordinary voting rights conferred upon special people, ipso facto, the America you live in no longer qualifies, as a democracy, nor even a republic.
Subverted to a kleptocracy, America’s economic system has been reduced, to crony capitalism (e.g., national capitalism). In total disarray, America’s judicial system has collapsed (e.g., ANTIFA). America’s federal law enforcement bureaus have been subverted, dominated and irremediably corrupted, by Clinton and Obama partisans.
Subverted by Communist China, as of this writing, America’s number 1 problem: … the mainstream media –
Bradford says
This election rigging business phase-shifted everything 90 degrees counterclockwise. The Democrat party is now a far-left pro-China ANTIFA party. Sucked up in the vacuum, the Republican party is now the Democrat party. Combination affected, for the first time in history, America’s right-leaning moderates and America’s conservatives are marooned, stranded high and dry, wholly without representation.
Dave says
“I love the uneducated.” Donald J. Trump
He’s talking ’bout his base. If you voted for Trump he thinks you are uneducated.
I do too.
mortruth says
You are a bug on my windshield,what you think is IRRELEVANT.
SMH says
This clown is a George Soros financed reprobate! Former DA in San Francisco, and look at what fine job he did there! The city has turned into a hell hole! You get what you vote for!
Barbi says
Illusion of democracy, our votes are utterly meaningless. Our elections rigged, we do not get who we vote for.
Dave says
Tell us, Barbi.
How do you know the election was rigged despite Trump’s guy Rudy losing over 50 cases by not claiming fraud in court to avoid lying and getting sanctioned? He had no evidence. None. Nada. Nyet.
If you can’t reply you are admitting YOU GOT NUTTIN’.
I bet you don’t respond.
Matt says
Forgive her Dave. She doesnt know any better. Fox news is telling her Trump still has a chance. And it’s the “main stream media” that gives false info. It’s not her fault, she doesnt know which way is up anymore. Only what they tell her. So sad. SMH.
Dave says
@Matt
In amazes me everyday that, with all of our advanced information technology, people are so steadfast ignorant about readily available facts on nearly any topic.
Take Barbi…please. Or any of a number of like-minded misinformed people who frequent this site. And for those of professed “faith” such as it is, they believe hearsay from 2,000 years ago but not documented facts and evidence from today.
Even a video of Trump telling a whopper goes right over their widdle heads and they think reporting it is “fake news”.
The fraudulent “election fraud” fraudsters are the worst. Giuliani doesn’t claim fraud in court to avoid sanctions for lying but says it everywhere ouside of courtrooms for the Fox ‘news’ crowd and Trump who is paying him to lie.
Biden won. Trump lost. It’s your party Trumpers and you can cry if you want to.
troof says
I’ll respond bobo, you know it was rigged but as a bluebobo you DON’T care, cognitive dissonance is EMBEDDED in your entire being. Go to your room.
Dave says
Can anyone believe that Barbi said “…we do not get who we vote for.”?
Unbelievable that she thinks that who she voted for is who becomes the president or other elected official.
No, Barbikins. It’s who gets the most votes not who you voted for.
And don’t you forget it.
Despicable says
“With calls already underway for a recall attempt…”
The clown has been on the job for only two weeks.