The Los Angeles County sheriff said on Wednesday that he will authorize employees to stay with the victims’ relatives at parole hearings to fill a gap created by a new policy imposed by the newly elected county district attorney.
The announcement came three days after NBC News reported that the victims’ family members were furious at the decision by prosecutor George Gascon not to oppose the parole of the follower of Charles Manson and convicted murderer Bruce Davis.
It was part of a policy change in which Los Angeles County prosecutors are no longer participating in parole hearings and will not oppose parole for any prisoners who have already served their mandatory minimum sentence.
In a letter to Gascon, sheriff Alex Villanueva said he “strongly believes (s)” that authorizing team members to attend probation hearings is “the right thing to do”.
“As you know, leaders sometimes agree to disagree; however, we must work continuously together to provide the best possible public security and to defend the rights of victims ”.
Villanueva referred to Manson’s cases explaining why he disagrees with Gascon’s new policy and will now allow members of his office to participate, where appropriate, in virtual or in-person hearings of the probation board.
“Having a general rule that says we are not going to anyone, I don’t think it will be positive to represent the interests of the victims in any way,” he said on a Facebook Live address.
“The DA chose not to attend these and that is his prerogative for his agency,” added Villanueva. “However, we are not going to abandon the victims of crimes. We will support you shoulder to shoulder and any help you need in this process, we will be there to represent you. “
Alex Bastian, a special adviser at Gascon, said the district attorney instructed defenders of the office’s victims to provide support during probation hearings.
“They are available to attend any hearing where the victims want them,” said Bastian.
“The sheriff’s deputies, like the prosecutors, do not have all the relevant facts and assessments at their disposal. The Probation Council has – and its sole purpose is to determine objectively whether someone is suitable to be released ”.
Manson, a California-based cult leader who died in prison in 2016, orchestrated a series of horrific murders in August 1969. The murders were committed by his followers, members of the so-called Manson family.
After a virtual hearing on January 22, the state parole council recommended parole for Davis, who was sentenced to life in prison for the deaths of Gary Hinman and Donald “Shorty” Shea.
California Governor Gavin Newsom must deny Davis’ early release.
Hinman’s cousin Kay Martley previously told NBC News that she felt abandoned by prosecutors. “I had no one to speak for me,” she said.
Reached on Wednesday, Martley said she was pleased with the sheriff’s action in support of the victims, saying it shows that “someone paid attention and gave us validity”.
“He knows that his job will be much more difficult if they allow these people to leave without any challenge from the prosecutors,” she said.