Scribd
Upload
58K views18 pages

Gascon Campaign Questions

A series of emails, dated during Gascon’s 2020 campaign for office but newly released following a public records request, show one of the Democrat’s staffers soliciting questions to be screened ahead of a town hall event with public defenders.

Uploaded by

Fox News
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF or read online on Scribd
58K views18 pages

Gascon Campaign Questions

A series of emails, dated during Gascon’s 2020 campaign for office but newly released following a public records request, show one of the Democrat’s staffers soliciting questions to be screened ahead of a town hall event with public defenders.

Uploaded by

Fox News
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 18
Justine M. Esack From: Anna Kozma Sent: Tuesday, June 30, 2020 8:00 AM To: Alisa Blair ce: Jennell MimmsiMarcus M. Huntley Subject: Re: Gascén Public Defender Town Hall Questions Thanks, Alisa! On Tue, Jun 30,2020 a 12:39 AM Alsa Bi EIR cote: Hey anna, t'nv not sure if you passed along the questions to George yet, but as Marcus pointed out, they are unedited based on submissions Marcus has received thus far. I will send you a more suecinct, categorized list tomorrow evening. | have a draft now but | am assuming we will get some additional submissions. ‘The difficult question will be about prosecuting police and Mario Woods specifically, Best, Alisa ‘On Jun 29, 2020, at 5:48 PM, Anna Kozma wrote: Thanks, Marcus! (On Mon, Jun 29, 2020 at 10:26 AM Marcus M. Huntley wrot Here are some additional questions | received today for Mr. Gascon: | Why are you seeking to run for District Attorney? | What about your background makes you qualified to be District Attomey? | What are your views on the current DA Jackie Lacey? How would you be a better DA than her? ‘What is your view on sending people convicted of crimes or found in violation of probation to prison | a5 oppose to alternative solutions that address the underlying social conditions that lead up to the | crime, such as mental health, substance abuse, historical racism, lack of education, dissolution of the family unit, ete.? Do you believe mental health, substance abuse, etc are diseases that need to be diagnosed and treated, or do you rather believe that mental health, substance abuse are just excuses? Do you believe that, if law enforcement and prosecutors treated the accused and incarcerated more | humanely, then that would ultimately increase public safety? | Has the COVID pandemic had an impact on your views on mass incarceration in the county jails and prison system? Please explain, If vou were elected District Attorney would you promote @ policy of addressing the underlying conditions of crime, veering away from the “do the crime, do the time mentality’, °3 strikes, you're out”, etc. 'fs0, how would you encourage/discourage your frontline DAs and their supervisors to implement this | Rolicy? How would your policy be reflected in your hiring and promotion of DAS? What about your background makes you qualified to implement such policy? How would you address members of the public, such as victims, families of victims, law enforcement, ‘tc, that desire to imprison the accused? What are your views on Black Lives Matter and in general how African Americans have been treated historically and currently in this country and Los Angeles County? Do you care more about the symbolism of the American flag than the actual, unequal human conditions that people are protesting against? Do you believe that itis disrespectful when an African American takes a knee during the National Anthem? Are you aware of the history of the physical violence and how African Americans have been demonized for merely speaking out against racial inequality? o you believe that racism stil exists in this country and Los Angeles County? Please explain why or | why not. Po you believe that so-called “colorblind” laws, policies, police practices have a disproportionate impact on people of color? | "Ignorance of the law is no excuse, do you believe that ignorance of racism should be an excuse? If an arresting officer is ignorant of the law, should that be an excuse? {racial bias in the arrest, ling, conviction and sentencing against people | of color? How would you seek to address that implicit bas if you were elected DA? Would you seek to prosecute law enforcement officers that shoot unarmed African ‘Americans? Would You seek to prosecute officers that use excessive force against African Americans? Best regards, | Marcus... | | ‘Subject: Gascon Public Defender Town Hall Questions Anna and Alisa, Here are the unedited questions | have received from a few public defenders for Mr. Gascén's Public Defender Town Hall on July ‘st. | will send each of you your Zoom panelist invitations tomorrow. Best, MARCUS. 1) What is your position on the death penalty? Will you be seeking it in Los Angeles? If you are elected what is your position on cases where the recommendation is death? 2) Is he going to implement a way to review cases where convietions have already been obtained of a mentally il client, only because the DA objected to some sort of 5) Will the DAs office stop filing cases such as gassing, vandalism of jai property, pattery on deputy etc, that occur in the jail by a severely mentally ill cent? Many times these cases happen when the client is awaiting transportation to Patton, aor a doubt has been dectared , while we are wailing for a 730 Eval to be completed, or while we are waiting for a DDA to get supervisor approval to submit on an incompetency finding ( any delay causes our mentally ill clients to furthor decompensate) 4) Is he committed to reforming the justice system in order to Prevent immigrant communities from being torn apart and irreparably harmed when noncitizens are misadvised about immigration consequences of convictions and district attomeys do See Sent: Monday, June 29, 2020 5:49 PM To: Marcus M. Huntley ce: jennell Mimms Subject: Re: Gascén Public Defender Town Hall Questions Thanks, Marcust On Mon, Jun 29, 2020 at 10:26 AM Marcus M. Huntley wrote: Here are some additional questions | received today for Mr. Gascdn: ‘Why are you seeking to run for District Attorney? | What about your background makes you qualified to be District Attorney? alternative solutions that address the underlying social consltions that lead up tothe crime, such as mental health, Substance abuse, historical racism, lack of education, dissolution Of the family unit, etc. Po you believe mental health, substance abuse, etc are diseases that need to be diagnosed and treated, or do you rather believe that mental health, substance abuse are just excuses? £70-You belleve that, if law enforcement and prosecutors treated the Accused and incarcerated more humanely, then ‘that would ultimately increase public safety? Has the COVID pandemic had an impact on your views on mass incarceration in the county alls and prison system? Please explain. If you were elected District Attorney would you promote a policy of addressing the underlying conditions of erime, veering away from the "do the crime, do the time mentality”, “3 strikes, you're out”, etc. If 50, how would you encourage/discourage your frontline DAs and their supervisors to implement this policy? How would your policy be reflected in your hiring and promotion of DAs? What about your background makes you qualified to implement such policy? How would you address members of the public, such as victims, families of victims, law enforcement, etc. that desire to imprison the accused? What are your views on Black Lives Matter and in general how African Americans have been treated historically and currently in this country and Los Angeles County? Do you care more about the symbolism of the American flag than the actual, unequal human conditions that people are protesting against? Do you believe that itis disrespectful when an African American takes a knee during the National Anthem? Are you aware of the history of the physical violence and how African Americans have been demonized for merely speaking out against racial inequality? Do you believe that racism still exists in this country and Los Angeles County? Please explain why or why not. Do you believe that so-called “colorblind” laws, policies, police practices have a disproportionate impact on people of color? IF “ignorance of the law’ is no excuse, do you believe that ignorance of racism should be an excuse? If an arresting officer is ignorant of the law, should that be an excuse? IF faw enforcement refuses to audio/video record alleged criminal activity/admissions of guilt, would you institute a policy of not filing or dismissing charges where the alleged criminal activity/admissions stems from such unrecorded crime/admissions? Or atleast not seek to introduce such unrecorded statement/observations in trial? Are you aware of the implicit racial bias in the arrest, filing, conviction and sentencing against people of color? How would you seek to address that implicit bias if you were elected DA? | Would you seek to prosecute law enforcement officers that shoot unarmed ‘African Americans? Would you seek to " prosecute officers that use excessive force against African Americans? Best regards, MARCUS... MARCUS M. HUNTLEY | Deputy Public Defender Iv ; Attorney | AIRPORT FELONIES LOS ANGELES COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER’S OFFICE 117015. LA CIENEGA BLVD, SUITE 530 LOS ANGELES, cA 90045 Direct: (840) 727.6216 | MAIN: (320) 727-6200 Hunt lef Lacouy ee ee and may contain information that is privileged, confidential and Gxompt from disclosure under applicable law. The contents Son omail are privileged attomney-cliont and attomey-work preches communications pursuant to Evidence Code section Raz. the reader of this message Is not the intended recone the ‘employee or agent responsible for delivering the ‘message (0 the inlended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this a ‘communication is strictly prohibited, If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by {telephone and return the original message to us al the above address via reply e-mail. Thank you. From: Marcus M. Huntley Sent: Sunday, June 28, 2020 10:13 PM To: Anna Kozma aa, Cc: Jennell Mimms Subject: Gascén Public Defender Town Hall Questions Anna and Alisa, Here are the unedited questions | have received from a few public defenders for Mr. Gascén's Public Defender Town Hall on July 1st. | will send each of you your Zoom panelist invitations tomorrow. Best, MARCUS... 1) What is your position on the death penalty? Will you be seeking it in Los Angeles? If you are elected what is your position on cases where the recommendation is death? 2) Is he going to implement a way to review cases where convictions have already been obtained of a mentally ill cient, only because the DA objected to some sort of mental health diversion/program, in order to ensure that the client, if still serving time, can be reassessed for such a diversion/program? 3) Will the DAs office stop filing cases such as gassing, vandalism of jail property, battery on deputy etc., that occur in the jail by a severely mentally ill client? Many times these cases happen when the client is awaiting transportation to Patton, after a doubt has been declared , while we are waiting for 730 Eval to be completed, or while we are waiting for a DDA to get supervisor approval to submit on an incompetency finding ( any delay causes our mentally il clients to further decompensate) 4) Is he committed to reforming the justice system in order to prevent immigrant communities from being tom apart and irreparabl not harmed by the office he may be in charge of? MARCUS M. HUNTLEY | Deputy Public Defender IV | Attorney | AIRPORT FELONIES 11701 S. LA CIENEGA BLVD, SUITE 530 LOS ANGELES, CA 90045 Direct (310) 727-6233 | Main (320) 727.6200 imhurte 7 ‘Anna Kozma Political Director |George Gascén for LA, District Attorney call: (310) 926-5365 | [Link] Marcus M. Huntley Monday, June 29, 2020 1 Anne Kozma ce Jennell Mimms Subject: RE: Gasc6n Public Defender Town Hail Questions Here are some additional questions | received today for Mr. Gascén: ‘Why are you seeking to run for District Attorney? ‘What about your background makes you qualified to be District Attorney? What are your views on the current DA Jackie Lacey? How would you be a better DA than her? po You believe mental health, substance abuse, etc are diseases that eed to be diagnosed and treated, or do you rather believe that mental health, substance abuse are just excuses? pe you believe that, if law enforcement and prosecutors treated ‘the accused and incarcerated more humanely, then that would ultimately increase public safety? Please explain, if you were elected District Attorney would you promote a policy of addressing the underlying conditions of crime, ‘veering away from the “do the crime, do the time mentality" “3 strikes, you're out’, ete, so, how would you encourage/discourage your frontline DAs and their supervisors to implement this policy? How ‘would your policy be reflected in your hiring and promotion of DAs? ‘What about your background makes you qualified to implement such policy? How would you adress members of the public, such as victims, families of victims, law enforcement, ete. that desire to imprison the accused? What are your views on Black Lives Matter and in general how African ‘Americans have been treated historically and Currently inthis country and Los Angeles County? Do you believe that racism stil exists in this country and Los ‘Angeles County? Please explain why or why not. Do you believe that so-called “colorblind” laws, policies, police practices have a disproportionate impact on people of color? If “ignorance of the law” is no excuse, do you believe that ignorance of racism should be an excuse? If an arresting officer is ignorant of the law, should that be an excuse? Iflaw enforcement refuses to audio/video record alleged criminal activity/admissions of guilt, would you institute a policy of not filing or dismissing charges where the alleged criminal activity/admissions stems from such unrecorded crime/admissions? Or at least not seek to introduce such unrecorded statement/observations in trial? Are you aware of the implicit racial bias in the arrest, filing, conviction and sentencing against people of color? How ‘would you seek to address that implicit bias if you were elected DA? Would you seek to prosecute law enforcement officers that shoot unarmed African Americans? Would you seek to prosecute officers that use excessive force against African Americans? Best regards, MARCUS... MARCUS M. HUNTLEY | Deputy Public Defender iv Attomey | AIRPORT FELONIES LOS ANGELES COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDERS OFFICE 11701 S. LA CIENEGA BLVD, SUITE 530, LOS ANGELES, CA 90045, Direct: (310) 727-6216 | MAIN: (210) 727-5200 MHuntley@[Link] AY Pease conser the environment before printing this ea CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This message is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged, confidential and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. The contents of this email are privilagad attorney-client and atlorney-work product communications pursuant to Evidence Code section 962. If the reader of this message is not the intendod recipient, or the employee or agent responsible for delivering the message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified ‘that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this ‘communication is strictly prohibited. if you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by telephone and return the original message to us at the above address via reply e-mail. Thank you. From: Marcus M. Huntley Sent: Sunday, June 28, 2020 10:13 PM To: Anna Kozma ; Ce: Jennell Mimms Subject: Gascén Public Defender Town Hall Questions Anna and Alisa, Here are the unedited questions I have received from a few Public defenders for Mr. Gascén's Public Defender Town Hall on July ‘st | will send each of you your Zoom panelist invitations tomorrow. Best, MARCUS... 2) What is your position on the death penalty? Will you be Seeking it in Los Angeles? If you are lected what is your position on cases where the recommendation death? Severely woh 88 gassing, vandalism of jll property, battery on deputy rte en ntally il cient? Many times these cases happen wher, the MARCUS M, HUNTLEY | Deputy Public Defender Iv Attorney | AIRPORT FELONIES 11701 S. LA CIENEGA BLVD, SUITE 530 LOS ANGELES, CA 90045 Direct: (310) 727-6233 | Main: (310) 727-6200 CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This message is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to which itis addressed and may contain information that is privileged, confidential and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. The contents ofthis email are privileged attorney-client and allomey-work product communications pursuant to Evidence Code section ‘952. Ifthe reader of this message is not the intended recipient, or the employee or agent responsible for delivering the message to tho intended rocipiont, you are hereby notified ‘hat any dissemination, distbution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. if you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by telephone and return the original message to us at the above address via reply e-mail. Thank you. Justine M. Esack Fro Marcus M. Huntley Sunday, June 28, 2020 10:13 PM Anna Koz 3 tana, = Jennell Mims Subject: Gascén Public Defender Town Hall Questions Anna and Alisa, Here are the unedited questions | have received from a few Public defenders for Mr. Gascén's Public Defender Town Hall on July 1st. will send each of you your Zoom panelist invitations tomorrow. Best, MARCUS... 1) What is your position on the death penalty? Will you be seeking it in Los Angeles? If you are elected what is your position on cases where the recommendation is death? 2) Is he going to implement a way to review cases where convictions have already been obtained of a mentally ill client, only because the DA objected to some sort of mental health diversion/program, in order to ensure that the client, if still serving time, can be Teassessed for such a diversion/program? SFP HETear REESE SESE ceetselsee arses EEECEEPELIE 1 MARCUS M. HUNTLEY | Deputy Public Defender !V Attorney | AIRPORT FELONIES 11701 S. LA CIENEGA BLVD, SUITE 530 LOS ANGELES, CA 90045 Direct: (310) 727-6238 | MAIN: (310) 727-6200 CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This message is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to which itis addressed ‘and may contain information that is privileged, confidential and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. The contents of this email are privileged attorney-client and attomey-work product communications pursuant to Evidence Code section 952. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, or the employee or agent responsible for delivering the ‘message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this ‘communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notiy us immediately by telephone and return the original message to us at the above address via reply e-mail, Thank you.

You might also like