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  • Los Angeles Superior Court Continues Juvenile Dependency and Criminal Cases Due to Covid-19

    David Ganezer, Observer Staff Writer|Dec 6, 2020

    In an attempt to limit the spread of Covid-19 in courthouses, the Los Angeles County Superior Court announced Wednesday that it would extend the time for criminal trials, under emergency powers granted by California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye under Government Code 68115. Los Angeles County, which has escaped the kind of coronavirus statistics seen in greater New York, has recently seen diagnosed cases skyrocket to around 5000 per day. The County has closed restaurants,...

  • 5X More Mask Use in Crimes and other stories: Calif. Supreme Court says February bar exam will be online

    Association of Deputy District Attorneys|Dec 4, 2020

    Alleged cop killer whose 1988 conviction was overturned sent to state hospital for psychological evaluation A San Bernardino Superior Court judge on Thursday, Nov. 19, remanded Dennis Mayfield to Patton State Hospital, where he will undergo a neuropsychological evaluation to determine whether he is competent to be retried for the 1986 fatal shooting of a Rialto police sergeant. At first reluctant to send Mayfield to Patton because it could, according to defense attorneys, mean a potential delay...

  • California Prisons Are a Major Source of EDD fraud, Including Identity Theft, Writes a Women's Prisoner

    Ms. Amber S. Jackson, Lucky Lifer|Nov 27, 2020

    What good would it be to have your own women's prison weekly columnist if I held back on some of the most interesting and least known elements of what goes on in this place? I've given this a lot of thought and decided to share some of what I've observed in this place. So please, just for a moment, allow me to take your mind off of COVID-19 and entertain your imagination. We've all been aware of the EDD unemployment fraud. Millions upon millions of dollars going out to fraudulent claims of...

  • When a Prisoner Goes to the parole board, She must have a 5 year plan. Days of My Life...Sentence

    Amber S. Jackson, Lucky Lifer|Nov 27, 2020

    Most people here just float along, knowing their release is comming on a specific date. I don't get that luxury. I dare not imagine the undetermined, unknown day of my release. How old will I be? Where will I live? Who will, if anyone, pick me up at the gates? Will I die in prison?? These questions whisper in my mind as I hammer away at my goals. Goals set by the parole commissioner I met with in December 2019. College. Vocational training. I'm in 10+ self-help classes by mail. Each yielding...

  • Child-killer released from prison early due to COVID-19 edict and other stories: Monday Morning Memo

    Association of Deputy District Attorneys|Nov 25, 2020

    Courts & Rulings Governor Newsom appoints 10 to Los Angeles Superior Court Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday made 10 appointments to the Los Angeles Superior Court, among 19 selections for judgeships statewide. Placed on the bench in this county are: Rita L. Badhan, Alicia Y. Blanco, Robert E. Sanchez DuFour, Carla L. Garrett, Ronald O. Kaye, Elizabeth Potter Scully, David W. Swift, Hernan D. Vera, Wendy L. Wilcox and Bryant Y. Yang. Metropolitan News-Enterprise Court dismisses cities' lawsuit...

  • Los Angeles DA-elect George Gascón meets with Black Lives Matter and other Criminal Procedure News Stories

    LA Association of Deputy District Attorneys|Nov 21, 2020

    In an appearance on FoxNews, newly elected George Gascón laid out initiatives for his first term as Los Angeles County District Attorney Los Angeles District Attorney-elect George Gascón outlined the initiatives for his upcoming term including stopping the practice of trying minors as adults and ending the use of the death penalty. After serving eight years as district attorney for San Francisco, Gascón was elected as the new Los Angeles County district attorney, replacing Jackie Lacey who ha...

  • Pair Charged with Illegally Attempting to Register 8,000 Homeless to Vote this Fall

    Greg Risling, LA District Attorney Office|Nov 21, 2020

    Two men have been charged in a 41-count criminal complaint for allegedly submitting thousands of fraudulent voter registration applications on behalf of homeless people, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced today. Carlos Antonio De Bourbon Montenegro (dob 9/9/67), aka Mark Anthony Gonsalves, and Marcos Raul Arevalo (dob 3/15/86) were each charged in case BA491333 with one count of conspiracy to commit voter fraud, eight counts of voter fraud, four counts of procuring and...

  • El Monte Toy Importer Pleads, Sentenced for Possessing, Manufacturing $1.4 Million in Counterfeit Goods

    Pamela J. Johnson, LA District Attorney Office|Nov 19, 2020

    The owner of an El Monte toy import business pleaded no contest today for manufacturing and possessing more than $1.4 million in counterfeit goods, including plush toys, backpacks and playing cards, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced. Wan Piao (dob 8/31/82), aka Edison Piao or Edisson Park, entered the plea to two felony counts of counterfeit of registered marks and was immediately sentenced to three years of formal probation, plus 90 days of community service and...

  • Why all the Helicopters Overhead: Do we really need Another Police eye-in-the sky? 

    Gary Davidson, Letter to the Editor|Nov 9, 2020
    1

    Dear Santa Monica Observer: There was an annoying helicopter hovering low above my SM residence for about an hour today. I assumed it was LAPD so checked SMPD twitter to see if there was any police activity. I was surprised to see no activity, however there was a tweet from SMPD announcing a new SMPD helicopter patrol to provide "situational awareness." Another tweet complaining about the noise gave the helicopter's call sign as N6605. I've supplied a link that gives N6605's flight path over SM...

  • As Downtown Businesses Board Up, SMPD Steps Up for Post Election Unrest

    Samuel Alioto, Observer Staff Writer|Nov 4, 2020

    The Santa Monica PD issued a press release saying that "there may be concerns about the possibility of any kind of disruption during the week of our national elections. "Currently, we have no intelligence to indicate Santa Monica will be a place of unrest. However, we also know that things can change rapidly and are actively monitoring the situation," says the press release, written by Lt. Joseph Cortez, SMPD PIO. Some view the boarding up as a tacit admission that US President Donald J. Trump...

  • Court Throws Out Terrorism Enhancement for Suspect Caught Speaking About Killing Thousands for ISIS in the Bay Area, and other stories

    LA Association of Deputy District Attorneys|Nov 4, 2020

    California Court of Appeal takes unusual course of issuing apology: Div. Three of the Fourth District Court of Appeal yesterday did something courts seldom do: It issued an apology to counsel for having wasted their time. Acting Presiding Justice William W. Bedsworth wrote the opinion, which was not certified for publication. The appellant is Bernard Raymond Pearle-Van Pelz, an inmate at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego. Metropolitan News-Enterprise Motion to inspect...

  • Monday Morning Memo: California alleged rapist awaiting trial for 14 years ordered freed and other stories

    LA Association of Deputy District Attorneys|Oct 21, 2020

    Courts & Rulings Officers who arrested man for photography have immunity The Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has reversed an order denying summary judgment to three Department of Veterans Affairs police officers who were sued by a man they arrested on two consecutive Sundays in June 2016 for taking photographs at the Great Lawn Gate entrance to the Los Angeles National Veterans Park, in alleged violation of a regulation, holding that they are entitled to qualified immunity. Metropolitan News...

  • SMPD Arrests Two Suspects for George Floyd Looting of REI Store

    Observer Staff Writer|Sep 30, 2020

    The Santa Monica Police Department has announced the arrest of two suspects in the looting of the REI store in downtown Santa Monica, following the George Floyd riots. SMPD was heavily criticized for failure to prevent looting the evening of May 31, 2020 in downtown Santa Monica. Police chief Cynthia Renaud has replied that she had about 100 officers on duty that evening, and half of them were assigned to prevent the destruction of the Santa Monica pier, perhaps by fire. The official press...

  • Wear your mask, it's time for jury duty During Covid

    Sarah Storkin, Observer Staff Writer|Sep 18, 2020

    Los Angeles County Superior Court will attempt to process a backlog of 7000 criminal cases despite Coronavirus. In order to do so, and give criminal defendants their day in Court, the Court will have to call jurors into court. Yes, apparently jury duty will resume. Bring your mask, needless to say. Generally California defendants have the right to a trial within 60 or 70 days of being charged. Covid-19 doesn't alter criminal defendants' right to a speedy trial. The press release from LASC...

  • Man Arrested For Molesting Elderly Patients at Santa Monica Old Age Homes

    Observer Staff|Sep 18, 2020

    A man has been arrested for molesting elderly patients at Santa Monica area old age homes, authorities say. The press release from Santa Monica Police Dept's Lt. Joseph Cortez reads as follows: The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office – Airport Branch has filed charges on Juan Victor Mendoza, a 55-year-old male, for his involvement in multiple sexual assaults against elderly patients at care facilities. These assaults occurred between 2012 and 2018. In 2019, Mendoza was arrested for o...

  • LA County Sheriffs Arrest Suspect After Car Chase Ends in Lynwood

    Observer Staff|Sep 18, 2020

    Update 10 PM: the suspect has been detained with the use of a canine unit, the LA County sheriffs department announced. Sheriffs office denied again that the suspect was wanted for the shooting of two sheriffs deputies Monday. The sheriffs department said that the suspect had a high powered rifle in his possession, which is why he drew 50 or so sheriffs deputies to search for him. This suspect was wanted for a car jacking on September 1. Update, 9:15 pm PST: Police continue to search the...

  • Santa Monica Police Seek 3 Suspects in Assault on Elderly Woman

    Observer Staff Writer|Sep 14, 2020

    Police have released security camera screen grabs of 3 suspects who robbed an elderly woman, pushing her to the ground, on Sunday, August 20th. Video of the incident was widely seen on social media. SMPD's press release follows: On August 20, 2020 at approximately 8:50pm a robbery occurred near the 1500 block of 6th Street. After parking and exiting her vehicle, the victim was standing on the sidewalk when Suspect-1 grabbed her purse. During this effort, the victim was pulled to the ground and...

  • Local Resident Says She Came Home To Find Burglar Typing on her Computer, Using her Credit Cards

    Samuel Alioto|Aug 15, 2020

    A woman who lives south of Montana but north of Washington on Euclid, reports that she and her husband left home, and returned Friday evening to find a large gentleman using her credit cards in her computer. "Daisy" adds that 48 hours later, the same man tested the locks and attempted to gain entry again, despite the obvious presence of security cameras. Her entire "next-door" post is below. Lock your doors! Burglarized once and then returned 1:30am today. In the last 48 we were burglarized...

  • Homeless Man Stabs Another Man in Reed Park Thursday Morning

    Samuel Alioto, Observer Staff Writer|Aug 12, 2020

    Santa Monica police arrested one suspect, following the stabbing of a 35 year old homeless man in Christine Emerson Reed Park Thursday morning just before 9 am. The victim was transported to the hospital where he is reported to be in a fair condition with one stab wound. SMPD reports the suspect is in custody, and the incident is under investigation. The suspect was later identified as John James. Residents pointed out that the stabbing took place about ten yards away from unarmed...

  • Child Trafficking Protest held at Santa Monica Place

    Sarah Storkin, Observer Staff Writer|Aug 6, 2020

    The recent arrest of Ghislaine Maxwell, former personal assistant to convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, has cast a light on child trafficking. One local mom organized a protest Thursday afternoon at Santa Monica Place. About 250 protestors held up signs to protest the trade in children. "We are out here to spread awareness because child trafficking has not been a mentioned in the main stream media that represents the true crisis and our local leaders have not made them a part of the...

  • Five Dollars and a Cigarette Buys Votes on LA's Skid Row

    Observer Staff|Aug 5, 2020

    Four men have admitted their role in a scheme where money and cigarettes were offered to homeless people on Skid Row in exchange for false and forged signatures on ballot petitions and voter registration forms, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced today. Richard Howard, 64, and Louis Thomas Wise, 38, pled no contest Friday to one felony count each of subscribing a fictitious name, or the name of another to an initiative petition and registration of a fictitious person....

  • Four Charged With Murder of Rap Artist Pop Smoke

    Jul 19, 2020

    Two men and two teens have been charged with killing rap artist Pop Smoke during a robbery in February, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced today. Corey Walker (dob 11/22/00) and Keandre Rodgers (dob 2/12/02) were each charged today in case BA488518 with murder with the special circumstance allegation that the murder occurred during the commission of a robbery and a burglary, making them eligible for the death penalty. The complaint also alleges gang and gun allegations....

  • Car Chase Ends at Euclid and Wilshire. Blond male suspect Apprehended After Foot Chase

    Sarah Storkin, Observer Staff Writer|Jul 14, 2020

    7/9/20: The California Highway Patrol arrested a suspect who lead them on a freeway chase from Santa Ana, finally exiting the ten freeway in Santa Monica. According to the CHP, the pursuit began near the Dyer Road to the 55 Freeway in Santa Ana just after 12:30 p.m. At one point in the televised chase, the white Toyota stopped and a female passenger exited the vehicle with her hands up and was taken into custody in the vicinity of Pacific Coast Highway and Chautauqua Boulevard. The suspect, a...

  • SMPD Arrests Four Suspects for Looting Patagonia During George Floyd Riots of 5/31/20

    Stan Greene, Observer Staff Writer|Jul 12, 2020

    7/8/2020: The Santa Monica Police Department has arrested 4 people for looting Patagonia, during the riots of 5/31, police said. Two couples (two men and two women) were arrested for removing a safe from the store. Two men and two women were caught on security camera removing a safe from the Patagonia Inc clothing store. “On July 3 , 2020 Santa Monica Police Department Detectives from the Special Investigations Unit and officers from the Crime Impact Team served multiple search and arrests w...

  • Police Issue Arrest Bulletin For Surfer Dude who set SMPD Vehicle on Fire on May 31, 2020

    Stan Greene, Observer Staff Writer|Jul 6, 2020

    In only the second arrest warrant known to have been issued for a participant in the George Floyd related riots on May 31, 2020, the Santa Monica Police have asked for the public's help in arresting a suspect. The FBI offered a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the identification and arrest of this unknown suspect. Details from the arrest bulletin sent by Santa Monica Public Information Officer Lt. Joseph Cortez, are as follow: The Santa Monica Police Department with the...

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