The Signal: Deputy DA speaks out against Gascón’s policies, ‘hostile’ work environment

Under newly elected L.A. County District Attorney George Gascón’s policy changes, there would not have been justice in the Gabriel Fernandez case, according to Deputy District Attorney Jon Hatami, a Santa Clarita resident and prosecutor for the high-profile murder trial involving the parents of an 8-year-old Palmdale boy.

Hatami has emerged as a vocal opponent of the new direction the DA’s Office is taking under Gascón.

“It would’ve gone much differently — 100%,” he said in a phone interview Wednesday, referring to the trial that received national attention after it was the subject of a several-part Netflix documentary. “We would have not been able to obtain justice for Gabriel under this current administration. There’s no way. That’s the problem.”

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Amed Post: Sister of slain Los Angeles sheriff’s deputy blasts new LA

The sister of a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputy who was fatally shot in the head last year is furious at the newly elected district attorney for downgrading charges against her brother’s killer that could see him freed from prison in 40 years.

Christina Solano on Monday blasted Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón for implementing reforms that could result in her brother’s killer one day being out on parole.

‘I’m completely in shock,’ she told Fox 11 TV. ‘I can’t even tell you. My heart just dropped.’

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Bonta Announces First-in-the-Nation Legislation to Cure Conflict of Interest for Elected Prosecutors Investigating Police Misconduct

SACRAMENTO – Today, California State Assemblymember Rob Bonta (D-Oakland) announced his plan to introduce legislation that will require elected prosecutors to recuse themselves from the investigation and prosecution of law enforcement misconduct if they accept financial contributions from law enforcement unions. The legislation will be sponsored by the Prosecutors Alliance of California and co-sponsored by numerous District Attorneys. It will be introduced when the new legislative session convenes in December.

“This is about trust in law enforcement, and trust in the independence of our elected prosecutors,” said Bonta. “As people across our cities, states and our nation have come together to raise their voices and demand greater justice, we must cure the conflict of interest that gives, at minimum, the appearance that police officers are not being held accountable due to police unions’ direct campaign contributions to District Attorneys.”

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