Inside LADA

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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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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