Inside LADA

April 10, 2023: Assembly Member Santiago and Los Angeles District Attorney Gascón Announce Immigrant Rights Act

 

Assembly Member Santiago and Los Angeles District Attorney Gascón Announce Immigrant Rights Act

Assembly Member Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles) joined Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón, Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis, Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL), Koreatown Youth & Community Center (KYCC), Thai Community Development Center and Chinatown Service Center (CSC) to announce the “Immigrant Rights Act” which is legislation that will help protect immigrant victims of crime. AB 1261 (Santiago, 2023) will help encourage undocumented Californians who are survivors and witnesses of crimes to come forward by protecting them from deportation. The crimes include (but are not limited to) stalking, extortion, and domestic violence. In order to fight anti-immigrant hate, California must reassure victims and witnesses that their livelihoods will not be threatened by coming forward to report a crime. Our collective public safety depends on all Californians feeling safe when they participate in our legal system.

“Californians should not lose their livelihoods simply because they came forward to report a crime,” said Assembly Member Santiago. “With AB 1261, we not only have a chance to reduce crime but also protect some of our most vulnerable community members. All Californians regardless of immigration status deserve to feel safe when participating in our legal system.”

“Far too often undocumented victims of crime and witnesses to crime are afraid to come forward because they are afraid of deportation. Your immigration status should never be a barrier to safety,” Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón said. “Public safety for everyone and equal access to the justice system is possible if we protect those that are most vulnerable. I am proud to sponsor this important piece of legislation. I will always advocate for policies and processes that increase access to justice for the undocumented members of our community while ensuring that people who cause harm are held accountable.”

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March 29, 2023: District Attorney Gascón Announces Seven California Highway Patrol Officers Charged in Connection With Death of Edward Bronstein

 

District Attorney Gascón Announces Seven California Highway Patrol Officers Charged in Connection With Death of Edward Bronstein

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón has charged seven California Highway Patrol officers and a registered nurse with the death of 38-year-old Edward Bronstein.

“For the system to work, people must be able to trust law enforcement. Police accountability is critical to building that trust, and it is necessary for public safety,” District Attorney Gascón said. “I promise Mr. Bronstein’s family and our community that I will continue to advocate for stronger accountability in use-of-force cases and an independent review of deaths that occur while in law enforcement custody.”

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March 28, 2023: District Attorney Gascón Seeking Public’s Help With 15-Year-Old Unsolved Murder

 

District Attorney Gascón Seeking Public’s Help With 15-Year-Old Unsolved Murder

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón was joined today by family members of Cliff Hibbert Jr., who was shot and killed 15 years ago, as they called for the public’s assistance for his unsolved murder and many other unsolved homicides throughout the county.

“My heart breaks knowing that this 22-year-old man’s life was taken away from him so soon and what hurts even more is that the person or persons responsible have never been held accountable,” District Attorney Gascón said. “The legal system has failed Cliff Jr. and so many others like him. We are here today asking the community that if you have witnessed this or any other homicide to please come forward. Your information plays a vital role in the arrest and filing of criminal charges. That information may save a life.”

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March 14, 2023: District Attorney Gascón Announces Silverado Senior Living Management, Three Managers Charged in Connection With 14 COVID-19 Related Deaths

 

District Attorney Gascón Announces Silverado Senior Living Management, Three Managers Charged in Connection With 14 COVID-19 Related Deaths

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced today that Silverado Senior Living Management, Inc., and three managers have been charged in connection with 14 COVID-related deaths at its residential care facility in 2020.

“The investigation revealed that the Silverado management team was aware of the risks associated with admitting a new resident from a high-risk area and failed to follow the appropriate procedures to protect their employees and the vulnerable people in their care,” District Attorney Gascón said. “These careless decisions created conditions that needlessly exposed Silverado staff and its residents to serious injury and – tragically – death.”

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March 10, 2023: District Attorney Gascón Announces Charges in Fatal Stabbing of 17-Year-Old Xavier Chavarin

 

District Attorney Gascón Announces Charges in Fatal Stabbing of 17-Year-Old Xavier Chavarin

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced that a 32-year-old man was charged today with the daylight fatal stabbing of teen Xavier Chavarin and the attempted murder of Daniel Villalobos last week.

“Tragically, a family is again mourning the loss of a child to an act of violence,” District Attorney Gascón said. “Xavier didn’t even have a chance to fulfill his full potential. By all accounts he had a bright future ahead of him before his life was cut short when he was fatally stabbed from behind. Thankfully, Daniel Villalobos was able to fend off the attacker and is recovering in the hospital. My heart goes out to the families of both victims and my office will hold the person accountable for his actions.”

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February 28, 2023: District Attorney Gascón, LA Innocence Project Seek Factual Innocence of Maurice Hastings

 

District Attorney Gascón, LA Innocence Project Seek Factual Innocence of Maurice Hastings

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced today that his office has determined exoneree Maurice Hastings should be found factually innocent for a 1983 murder he did not commit.

“Our Conviction Integrity Unit launched a full investigation into Mr. Hasting’s claim of factual innocence. They interviewed witnesses and carefully reviewed evidence and determined that we believe Mr. Hastings to be factually innocent of the crimes which occurred 40 years ago. Tomorrow we will join his lawyers in asking the court to find him innocent.” District Attorney Gascón said.

“Maurice Hastings survived a nightmare. He spent nearly four decades in prison exhausting every avenue to prove his innocence while being repeatedly denied. But Mr. Hastings has remained steadfast and faithful that one day he would hear a judge proclaim his innocence. We hope tomorrow is that day.”

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February 22, 2023: District Attorney Gascón Announces Man Charged With Murdering Los Angeles Bishop

 

District Attorney Gascón Announces Man Charged with Murdering Los Angeles Bishop

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced that Carlos Medina was charged today with killing Auxiliary Bishop David G. O’Connell at a home in Hacienda Heights over the weekend.

“This was a brutal act of violence against a person who dedicated his life to making our neighborhoods safer, healthier and always serving with love and compassion,” District Attorney Gascón said. “As Catholics around Los Angeles and the nation start the holy season of Lent let us reflect on Bishop O’Connell’s life of service and dedication to those in greatest need of our care. Charging Mr. Medina will never repair the tremendous harm that was caused by this callous act, but it does take us one step closer to accountability.”

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February 15, 2023: District Attorney Gascón Announces Sheriff’s Deputy Charged With Murder of 12-Year-Old Boy in Off-Duty Crash in South Gate

 

District Attorney Gascón Announces Sheriff’s Deputy Charged With Murder of 12-Year-Old Boy in Off-Duty Crash in South Gate

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced today that Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Ricardo Castro has been charged with murder and vehicular manslaughter when he crashed his vehicle into another car, killing a 12-year-old boy and injuring two others in South Gate.

“The deputy showed a conscious disregard for the lives and safety of the people of South Gate by recklessly speeding on a busy street. The behavior is even more confounding since this happened in an area designated as a zone where school children were present,” District Attorney Gascón said. “Tragically, a 12-year-old boy was killed in the space where he should have been most safe. His family and classmates are left to try to make sense of such a preventable tragedy.”

“This investigation required a tremendous amount of patience and expertise to ensure that we had all of the factual information and evidence aligned before presenting our case to the District Attorney’s Office,” said South Gate Police Chief Darren Arakawa. “It seems commonplace in Los Angeles County to see some motorist driving recklessly and at freeway speeds on residential and business streets. The outcome of these driving habits of some sadly have irreparable consequences.”

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