Inside LADA

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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January 23, 2023: District Attorney Gascón Announces Bureau of Victim Services Support for Families Who Lost Loved Ones in Monterey Park Mass Shooting

 

District Attorney Gascón Anncounces Bureau of Victim Services Support Following Monterey Park Shooting

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón announced today that his office’s Bureau of Victim Services continues to serve the families of those who were killed or injured in the mass shooting at Monterey Park on Saturday night, now as the leading victim support agency.

“We are grateful for the quick collaboration between our local, state and national partners in supporting the Monterey Park community. Our Victim Services Bureau representatives arrived in Monterey Park yesterday, are here today, and they will be here for as long as the victims of this tragedy need support,” District Attorney Gascón said. “We will help anyone who needs it and work to process their applications for state Victims Compensation funds, connect them with local social workers, doctors and mental health providers to ensure that those who are struggling have everything they need in the coming months. Interpreters are available in multiple languages and there is no residency or citizenship requirement to secure support. We encourage anyone affected by this tragedy to visit the Center or reach out to our office for assistance.”

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November 29, 2022: District Attorney Gascón, Public Health Director Ferrer Announce Collaborative Effort to End Fentanyl Crisis

 

Image from fentanyl overdose working group news conference

With fentanyl overdose deaths soaring, District Attorney George Gascón today joined with Department of Public Health Director Dr. Barbara Ferrer to announce the creation of a working group to address the fentanyl crisis through prevention, education and enforcement.

“I’m proud to announce that we are leading a multifaceted and collaborative effort to save lives,” District Attorney Gascón said. “The proliferation of fentanyl-related deaths poses one of the gravest challenges of our times. We are bringing together the county’s public health experts, education leaders, community advocates and law enforcement professionals to support and utilize evidence-based and effective approaches to stopping the toll fentanyl is taking.”

“This multifaceted approach is necessary because if the failed ‘War on Drugs’ of the ’90s has taught us one thing, it is that we cannot incarcerate our way out of a public health issue. Enforcement is not enough. Saving lives is the priority when addressing substance abuse and illicit drug use, as only the living have the opportunity to recover. This is a communitywide problem and will take collaboration among all of us to stem the tide of harm that is plaguing our neighborhoods.”

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October 28, 2022: District Attorney Gascón Announces Conviction of Maurice Hastings Vacated in 1983 Murder

 

District Attorney Gascón Announces Conviction of Maurice Hastings Vacated in 1983 Murder

District Attorney George Gascón has announced that the 1988 murder conviction of Maurice Hastings has been vacated and he has been released from prison.

“What has happened to Mr. Hastings is a terrible injustice,” District Attorney Gascón said. “The justice system is not perfect, and when we learn of new evidence which causes us to lose confidence in a conviction, it is our obligation to act swiftly.”

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October 28, 2022: The Return of the "Courage Awards:" District Attorney Gascón, LA5 Rotary Join Forces to Recognize Everyday Heroes

 

California Labor Commissioner Lilia Garcia-Brower, honoree Edith Lopez and District Attorney Gascón

A woman who stopped an international kidnapping, another who risked her job to hold a company accountable for wage theft, and a neighbor who sheltered a family under attack from their father were honored by Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón.

“The extraordinary and selfless acts of these three individuals speak to what it means to live in community,” District Attorney Gascón said. “Finding the strength to speak truth to power, protect our neighbors from harm and help the most vulnerable among us – Linda McKeown, Edith Lopez and Martin Santillan, serve as inspirations to us all.”

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October 5, 2022: TV Producer Eric Weinberg Charged With Forcible Rape, Assault


TItle card for TV Producer Eric Weinberg Charged With Forcible Rape, Assault

District Attorney George Gascón announced that television producer Eric Weinberg has been charged in an 18-count complaint for sexually assaulting five women at different times between 2014 and 2019.

“The defendant relied on his Hollywood credentials to lure young women for photo shoots where he allegedly sexually assaulted them,” District Attorney Gascón said. “Power and influence can corrupt some to hurt others that often leads to a lifetime of trauma for those who are victimized.

My office’s Bureau of Victim Services is here to help in the healing process to ensure all victims have the guidance and support they need on the road to recovery.”

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