The former executive director was charged with 19 felony counts in 2006 including grand theft, insurance fraud and making false insurance claims.
David Serena filed suit against the Yolo County grand jury challenging the recruitment and selection process as being discriminatory against Latinos. However in January of 2007, the lawsuit was thrown out by US District Judge Frank C. Damrell Jr.
Serena and his legal team that included James Hammer and Whitney Leigh, produced statistics that showed a 13.5 percent discrepancy between expected and actual Latino composition.
U.S. District Judge Frank C. Damrell Jr. ruled that the three year time period was not long enough to demonstrate substantial underrepresentation of Latinos. Moreover, they did not have direct evidence of intent to discriminate.
Over the past 10 years, Latinos have only been underrepresented by 6.5 percent which would be equivalent of around one juror on average. This was not enough to demonstrate a violation under the Constitution’s equal protection clause.
However, Judge Damrell did say that while he could not consider solely the last three years, he did find the higher disparity in the last three years to be troubling. The Sacramento Bee quotes him as saying “Unaddressed or ignored, this continuing disparity is likely to provide future evidence of systemic underrepresentation of a constitutional dimension.”
In a week when the Yolo County District Attorney’s office has been under fire for alleged ethics violations from one of its top investigators, the dismissal of this high profile case seems to be another stain against the department.
Due to the late nature of this ruling, the Vanguard has not been able to obtain comments from either David Serena or his attorneys, Matt Gonzales and Whitney Leigh from the San Francisco based law firm. Matt Gonzales has recently been named as Ralph Nader’s Vice Presidential candidate; however, he was reportedly in court for this case.
Our opinion has long been that this case should have been handled administratively, not criminally. The Yolo County Board of Supervisors had already dealt with this matter when the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office and Grand Jury stepped in. This ruling would seem to vindicate that view.
—Doug Paul Davis reporting
Was it dismissed for insufficient evidence with or without an intent to refile or dismissed in the interest of justice? Has the statute of limitations run?
The DA could refile this case if he wants. Serena may not be out of the woods completely on this.
It does tend to show the DA overcharges cases, IMHO.
Was it dismissed for insufficient evidence with or without an intent to refile or dismissed in the interest of justice? Has the statute of limitations run?
The DA could refile this case if he wants. Serena may not be out of the woods completely on this.
It does tend to show the DA overcharges cases, IMHO.
Was it dismissed for insufficient evidence with or without an intent to refile or dismissed in the interest of justice? Has the statute of limitations run?
The DA could refile this case if he wants. Serena may not be out of the woods completely on this.
It does tend to show the DA overcharges cases, IMHO.
Was it dismissed for insufficient evidence with or without an intent to refile or dismissed in the interest of justice? Has the statute of limitations run?
The DA could refile this case if he wants. Serena may not be out of the woods completely on this.
It does tend to show the DA overcharges cases, IMHO.
Sorry DPD but confused: were the charges against HIM dropped….and if so what does that have to do with his suit against the grand jury which your story emphasizes? How are they tied legally? thanks!
Sorry DPD but confused: were the charges against HIM dropped….and if so what does that have to do with his suit against the grand jury which your story emphasizes? How are they tied legally? thanks!
Sorry DPD but confused: were the charges against HIM dropped….and if so what does that have to do with his suit against the grand jury which your story emphasizes? How are they tied legally? thanks!
Sorry DPD but confused: were the charges against HIM dropped….and if so what does that have to do with his suit against the grand jury which your story emphasizes? How are they tied legally? thanks!
The charges against him were dismissed.
I don’t know the answer to anonymous’ questions.
Hopefully I will today.
The lawsuit was filed against the grand jury and was dismissed last year. I provided that mainly as background information, but also because I think it is important context.
The charges against him were dismissed.
I don’t know the answer to anonymous’ questions.
Hopefully I will today.
The lawsuit was filed against the grand jury and was dismissed last year. I provided that mainly as background information, but also because I think it is important context.
The charges against him were dismissed.
I don’t know the answer to anonymous’ questions.
Hopefully I will today.
The lawsuit was filed against the grand jury and was dismissed last year. I provided that mainly as background information, but also because I think it is important context.
The charges against him were dismissed.
I don’t know the answer to anonymous’ questions.
Hopefully I will today.
The lawsuit was filed against the grand jury and was dismissed last year. I provided that mainly as background information, but also because I think it is important context.
This case was always a witch hunt its good that the judge could see it.
This case was always a witch hunt its good that the judge could see it.
This case was always a witch hunt its good that the judge could see it.
This case was always a witch hunt its good that the judge could see it.
Are the posters here saying that he should not have been prosecuted…and he did nothing wrong? That is not my impression from the long history of the dept.
As far as grand juries…..the procss is pretty democratic. The selection is by lottery after a interview with a judge, pretty much a slam dunk if you apply you get into the lottery. There aren’t many latinos who apply. It is pretty time intensive and so attracts a certain retiree type of person. I do think there could be a better way to advertise the ‘job’ so more apply. I have a relative who was on the grand jury….his idea was to have the less represented groups be seated without going through the last lottery part of the process to get better representation, but am sure that would conflict with something…..
Are the posters here saying that he should not have been prosecuted…and he did nothing wrong? That is not my impression from the long history of the dept.
As far as grand juries…..the procss is pretty democratic. The selection is by lottery after a interview with a judge, pretty much a slam dunk if you apply you get into the lottery. There aren’t many latinos who apply. It is pretty time intensive and so attracts a certain retiree type of person. I do think there could be a better way to advertise the ‘job’ so more apply. I have a relative who was on the grand jury….his idea was to have the less represented groups be seated without going through the last lottery part of the process to get better representation, but am sure that would conflict with something…..
Are the posters here saying that he should not have been prosecuted…and he did nothing wrong? That is not my impression from the long history of the dept.
As far as grand juries…..the procss is pretty democratic. The selection is by lottery after a interview with a judge, pretty much a slam dunk if you apply you get into the lottery. There aren’t many latinos who apply. It is pretty time intensive and so attracts a certain retiree type of person. I do think there could be a better way to advertise the ‘job’ so more apply. I have a relative who was on the grand jury….his idea was to have the less represented groups be seated without going through the last lottery part of the process to get better representation, but am sure that would conflict with something…..
Are the posters here saying that he should not have been prosecuted…and he did nothing wrong? That is not my impression from the long history of the dept.
As far as grand juries…..the procss is pretty democratic. The selection is by lottery after a interview with a judge, pretty much a slam dunk if you apply you get into the lottery. There aren’t many latinos who apply. It is pretty time intensive and so attracts a certain retiree type of person. I do think there could be a better way to advertise the ‘job’ so more apply. I have a relative who was on the grand jury….his idea was to have the less represented groups be seated without going through the last lottery part of the process to get better representation, but am sure that would conflict with something…..
This reflects the action of an independent judge. I wonder what would happen in other Yolo cases if the judges acted in a more impartial manner. That may not be a fair comment, but from my limited viewpoint there is not enough separation between the Yolo DA staff and the Yolo Judges.
This reflects the action of an independent judge. I wonder what would happen in other Yolo cases if the judges acted in a more impartial manner. That may not be a fair comment, but from my limited viewpoint there is not enough separation between the Yolo DA staff and the Yolo Judges.
This reflects the action of an independent judge. I wonder what would happen in other Yolo cases if the judges acted in a more impartial manner. That may not be a fair comment, but from my limited viewpoint there is not enough separation between the Yolo DA staff and the Yolo Judges.
This reflects the action of an independent judge. I wonder what would happen in other Yolo cases if the judges acted in a more impartial manner. That may not be a fair comment, but from my limited viewpoint there is not enough separation between the Yolo DA staff and the Yolo Judges.
Yes I’m saying that Yolo County Desgraciados didn’t like a latino running the housing authority and they hounded him from the day he was hired. If you want to know the truth go talk to people in the latino community in this county. Davis has been vindicated by a judge so the real question becomes why were these charges brought and who benefited from David leaving his job. Those people are the ones who should be indicted or at least ashamed of themselves.
Yes I’m saying that Yolo County Desgraciados didn’t like a latino running the housing authority and they hounded him from the day he was hired. If you want to know the truth go talk to people in the latino community in this county. Davis has been vindicated by a judge so the real question becomes why were these charges brought and who benefited from David leaving his job. Those people are the ones who should be indicted or at least ashamed of themselves.
Yes I’m saying that Yolo County Desgraciados didn’t like a latino running the housing authority and they hounded him from the day he was hired. If you want to know the truth go talk to people in the latino community in this county. Davis has been vindicated by a judge so the real question becomes why were these charges brought and who benefited from David leaving his job. Those people are the ones who should be indicted or at least ashamed of themselves.
Yes I’m saying that Yolo County Desgraciados didn’t like a latino running the housing authority and they hounded him from the day he was hired. If you want to know the truth go talk to people in the latino community in this county. Davis has been vindicated by a judge so the real question becomes why were these charges brought and who benefited from David leaving his job. Those people are the ones who should be indicted or at least ashamed of themselves.
Make that “David has been vindicated”
Make that “David has been vindicated”
Make that “David has been vindicated”
Make that “David has been vindicated”
I was on the GJ for the ’06-’07 term. I applied and my name went into a hat-they always hold over a few members from the previous years’ GJ so not all seats are available. Hey, I know, you could really get involved and just have black/latino/asian/female seats and just pretend its all up to chance. I gave up a lot of hours because I wanted to serve on the GJ and I will do it again but you must have a very flexible work schedule, work part-time or be retired. If you wear race or gender colored glasses to select people you will have significant problems!!
I was on the GJ for the ’06-’07 term. I applied and my name went into a hat-they always hold over a few members from the previous years’ GJ so not all seats are available. Hey, I know, you could really get involved and just have black/latino/asian/female seats and just pretend its all up to chance. I gave up a lot of hours because I wanted to serve on the GJ and I will do it again but you must have a very flexible work schedule, work part-time or be retired. If you wear race or gender colored glasses to select people you will have significant problems!!
I was on the GJ for the ’06-’07 term. I applied and my name went into a hat-they always hold over a few members from the previous years’ GJ so not all seats are available. Hey, I know, you could really get involved and just have black/latino/asian/female seats and just pretend its all up to chance. I gave up a lot of hours because I wanted to serve on the GJ and I will do it again but you must have a very flexible work schedule, work part-time or be retired. If you wear race or gender colored glasses to select people you will have significant problems!!
I was on the GJ for the ’06-’07 term. I applied and my name went into a hat-they always hold over a few members from the previous years’ GJ so not all seats are available. Hey, I know, you could really get involved and just have black/latino/asian/female seats and just pretend its all up to chance. I gave up a lot of hours because I wanted to serve on the GJ and I will do it again but you must have a very flexible work schedule, work part-time or be retired. If you wear race or gender colored glasses to select people you will have significant problems!!
“There aren’t many latinos who apply. It is pretty time intensive and so attracts a certain retiree type of person.”
FWIW, I was once called before the Y.C. Grand Jury as a witness (in the last few years) and I don’t think there were any Latinos on that panel. However, there were non-whites.
I don’t know this for a fact, but I would guess that the Hispanic population in Yolo County is much younger than the non-Latino population: higher birth rate, more school age, fewer elderly.
Also, I would guess that a higher percentage of Hispanic elderly are non-English or limited-English speaking.
Age and idiom together likely explain the so-called representation gap.
“There aren’t many latinos who apply. It is pretty time intensive and so attracts a certain retiree type of person.”
FWIW, I was once called before the Y.C. Grand Jury as a witness (in the last few years) and I don’t think there were any Latinos on that panel. However, there were non-whites.
I don’t know this for a fact, but I would guess that the Hispanic population in Yolo County is much younger than the non-Latino population: higher birth rate, more school age, fewer elderly.
Also, I would guess that a higher percentage of Hispanic elderly are non-English or limited-English speaking.
Age and idiom together likely explain the so-called representation gap.
“There aren’t many latinos who apply. It is pretty time intensive and so attracts a certain retiree type of person.”
FWIW, I was once called before the Y.C. Grand Jury as a witness (in the last few years) and I don’t think there were any Latinos on that panel. However, there were non-whites.
I don’t know this for a fact, but I would guess that the Hispanic population in Yolo County is much younger than the non-Latino population: higher birth rate, more school age, fewer elderly.
Also, I would guess that a higher percentage of Hispanic elderly are non-English or limited-English speaking.
Age and idiom together likely explain the so-called representation gap.
“There aren’t many latinos who apply. It is pretty time intensive and so attracts a certain retiree type of person.”
FWIW, I was once called before the Y.C. Grand Jury as a witness (in the last few years) and I don’t think there were any Latinos on that panel. However, there were non-whites.
I don’t know this for a fact, but I would guess that the Hispanic population in Yolo County is much younger than the non-Latino population: higher birth rate, more school age, fewer elderly.
Also, I would guess that a higher percentage of Hispanic elderly are non-English or limited-English speaking.
Age and idiom together likely explain the so-called representation gap.
Roughly 30% of the Yolo population is Hispanic – to have zero on the GJ makes a clear statement. The Hispanics may have a high birth rate (good Catholics) but there are plenty of older folks also. Many have no problem with English. A real barrier may be the old conservative ag view – they are all farm workers or gang members.
Roughly 30% of the Yolo population is Hispanic – to have zero on the GJ makes a clear statement. The Hispanics may have a high birth rate (good Catholics) but there are plenty of older folks also. Many have no problem with English. A real barrier may be the old conservative ag view – they are all farm workers or gang members.
Roughly 30% of the Yolo population is Hispanic – to have zero on the GJ makes a clear statement. The Hispanics may have a high birth rate (good Catholics) but there are plenty of older folks also. Many have no problem with English. A real barrier may be the old conservative ag view – they are all farm workers or gang members.
Roughly 30% of the Yolo population is Hispanic – to have zero on the GJ makes a clear statement. The Hispanics may have a high birth rate (good Catholics) but there are plenty of older folks also. Many have no problem with English. A real barrier may be the old conservative ag view – they are all farm workers or gang members.
“Roughly 30% of the Yolo population is Hispanic.”
Correct. According to the census, 28.1% of Yolo County residents in 2006 were Hispanic.
Also, 32.1% of Yolo County residents speak a language other than English at home.
“The Hispanics may have a high birth rate (good Catholics) but there are plenty of older folks also.”
I didn’t say there are no older Hispanics. However, if Hispanics are 28.1% of the general population, they may only be 14% of the retiree population. Further, if half of that 14% has limited English-language skills, then the relevant Hispanic population for the Grand Jury pool is about 7%, not 30%.
“A real barrier may be the old conservative ag view – they are all farm workers or gang members.”
That is a non-sequitir, suggesting you have no idea how members of the GJ apply and are selected. The process doesn’t incorporate any “conservative ag view.”
“Roughly 30% of the Yolo population is Hispanic.”
Correct. According to the census, 28.1% of Yolo County residents in 2006 were Hispanic.
Also, 32.1% of Yolo County residents speak a language other than English at home.
“The Hispanics may have a high birth rate (good Catholics) but there are plenty of older folks also.”
I didn’t say there are no older Hispanics. However, if Hispanics are 28.1% of the general population, they may only be 14% of the retiree population. Further, if half of that 14% has limited English-language skills, then the relevant Hispanic population for the Grand Jury pool is about 7%, not 30%.
“A real barrier may be the old conservative ag view – they are all farm workers or gang members.”
That is a non-sequitir, suggesting you have no idea how members of the GJ apply and are selected. The process doesn’t incorporate any “conservative ag view.”
“Roughly 30% of the Yolo population is Hispanic.”
Correct. According to the census, 28.1% of Yolo County residents in 2006 were Hispanic.
Also, 32.1% of Yolo County residents speak a language other than English at home.
“The Hispanics may have a high birth rate (good Catholics) but there are plenty of older folks also.”
I didn’t say there are no older Hispanics. However, if Hispanics are 28.1% of the general population, they may only be 14% of the retiree population. Further, if half of that 14% has limited English-language skills, then the relevant Hispanic population for the Grand Jury pool is about 7%, not 30%.
“A real barrier may be the old conservative ag view – they are all farm workers or gang members.”
That is a non-sequitir, suggesting you have no idea how members of the GJ apply and are selected. The process doesn’t incorporate any “conservative ag view.”
“Roughly 30% of the Yolo population is Hispanic.”
Correct. According to the census, 28.1% of Yolo County residents in 2006 were Hispanic.
Also, 32.1% of Yolo County residents speak a language other than English at home.
“The Hispanics may have a high birth rate (good Catholics) but there are plenty of older folks also.”
I didn’t say there are no older Hispanics. However, if Hispanics are 28.1% of the general population, they may only be 14% of the retiree population. Further, if half of that 14% has limited English-language skills, then the relevant Hispanic population for the Grand Jury pool is about 7%, not 30%.
“A real barrier may be the old conservative ag view – they are all farm workers or gang members.”
That is a non-sequitir, suggesting you have no idea how members of the GJ apply and are selected. The process doesn’t incorporate any “conservative ag view.”
“That is a non-sequitir, suggesting you have no idea how members of the GJ apply and are selected. The process doesn’t incorporate any “conservative ag view.””
No matter how a selection process is defended, when 30% of a population is not represented at all a problem is clearly indicated. Any reasonable person looking at that would conclude the selection process is flawed.
“That is a non-sequitir, suggesting you have no idea how members of the GJ apply and are selected. The process doesn’t incorporate any “conservative ag view.””
No matter how a selection process is defended, when 30% of a population is not represented at all a problem is clearly indicated. Any reasonable person looking at that would conclude the selection process is flawed.
“That is a non-sequitir, suggesting you have no idea how members of the GJ apply and are selected. The process doesn’t incorporate any “conservative ag view.””
No matter how a selection process is defended, when 30% of a population is not represented at all a problem is clearly indicated. Any reasonable person looking at that would conclude the selection process is flawed.
“That is a non-sequitir, suggesting you have no idea how members of the GJ apply and are selected. The process doesn’t incorporate any “conservative ag view.””
No matter how a selection process is defended, when 30% of a population is not represented at all a problem is clearly indicated. Any reasonable person looking at that would conclude the selection process is flawed.
As the judge said, if the trends continues and GJ continues to exclude Latinos, they will have constitutional problem in their hands. I am a Latino and yes we do have elder members of our community that Speak English are highly educated and willing to serve. some of you are speaking out of ignorance at best and biased at worst.
As to David Serena’s case. He was hounded from the first day he became the Executive Director of the Housing Authority and some of it was due to his ethnic background. Woodland and Yolo County are still not very friendldy to Latinos.
As the judge said, if the trends continues and GJ continues to exclude Latinos, they will have constitutional problem in their hands. I am a Latino and yes we do have elder members of our community that Speak English are highly educated and willing to serve. some of you are speaking out of ignorance at best and biased at worst.
As to David Serena’s case. He was hounded from the first day he became the Executive Director of the Housing Authority and some of it was due to his ethnic background. Woodland and Yolo County are still not very friendldy to Latinos.
As the judge said, if the trends continues and GJ continues to exclude Latinos, they will have constitutional problem in their hands. I am a Latino and yes we do have elder members of our community that Speak English are highly educated and willing to serve. some of you are speaking out of ignorance at best and biased at worst.
As to David Serena’s case. He was hounded from the first day he became the Executive Director of the Housing Authority and some of it was due to his ethnic background. Woodland and Yolo County are still not very friendldy to Latinos.
As the judge said, if the trends continues and GJ continues to exclude Latinos, they will have constitutional problem in their hands. I am a Latino and yes we do have elder members of our community that Speak English are highly educated and willing to serve. some of you are speaking out of ignorance at best and biased at worst.
As to David Serena’s case. He was hounded from the first day he became the Executive Director of the Housing Authority and some of it was due to his ethnic background. Woodland and Yolo County are still not very friendldy to Latinos.
I am sure there are many older Hispanics who are able to serve. But as the Federal court said, you can’t serve if you do not apply. If you leave your house briefly once a month you will run into grand jury applications and advertisements.
As to this current Grand jury. 4 Hispanics and 2 Asians.
I am sure there are many older Hispanics who are able to serve. But as the Federal court said, you can’t serve if you do not apply. If you leave your house briefly once a month you will run into grand jury applications and advertisements.
As to this current Grand jury. 4 Hispanics and 2 Asians.
I am sure there are many older Hispanics who are able to serve. But as the Federal court said, you can’t serve if you do not apply. If you leave your house briefly once a month you will run into grand jury applications and advertisements.
As to this current Grand jury. 4 Hispanics and 2 Asians.
I am sure there are many older Hispanics who are able to serve. But as the Federal court said, you can’t serve if you do not apply. If you leave your house briefly once a month you will run into grand jury applications and advertisements.
As to this current Grand jury. 4 Hispanics and 2 Asians.
As a more general matter, I am tired of reading about our DA’s filing of overblown and unsupported charges. This not how I want my tax dollars spent.
The most recent example appears to be the felony charges against the UCD student with an interest in chemistry who had a bunch of chemicals in his dorm room. Some of those chemicals could be used to make explosives if mixed together by someone inclined to do harm. But the Davis Enterprise (for what it’s worth) has published at least two articles quoting the UCD police as stating that they do not believe the student intended to harm anyone.
So why is the student being arraigned next week on a charge of possessing materials with an intent to make a destructive devise or explosive? It is not a crime to possess these chemicals if you do not intent to use them to make a destructive device or explosive.
The student is also being arraigned on charges of possession of explosive materials on school/college grounds. Everything I have read in the papers indicates that the police did not find any explosive materials. All they found was chemicals, some of which could be used to make explosives. It is not a crime to possess these chemicals on school/college grounds. So, again, why is the student being arraigned on these charges?
In the meantime, the student has been suspended from UCD and barred from campus, including his housing.
If there aren’t enough actual crimes in Yolo County to keep the attorneys in the DA’s office busy, perhaps some of them should be laid off.
As a more general matter, I am tired of reading about our DA’s filing of overblown and unsupported charges. This not how I want my tax dollars spent.
The most recent example appears to be the felony charges against the UCD student with an interest in chemistry who had a bunch of chemicals in his dorm room. Some of those chemicals could be used to make explosives if mixed together by someone inclined to do harm. But the Davis Enterprise (for what it’s worth) has published at least two articles quoting the UCD police as stating that they do not believe the student intended to harm anyone.
So why is the student being arraigned next week on a charge of possessing materials with an intent to make a destructive devise or explosive? It is not a crime to possess these chemicals if you do not intent to use them to make a destructive device or explosive.
The student is also being arraigned on charges of possession of explosive materials on school/college grounds. Everything I have read in the papers indicates that the police did not find any explosive materials. All they found was chemicals, some of which could be used to make explosives. It is not a crime to possess these chemicals on school/college grounds. So, again, why is the student being arraigned on these charges?
In the meantime, the student has been suspended from UCD and barred from campus, including his housing.
If there aren’t enough actual crimes in Yolo County to keep the attorneys in the DA’s office busy, perhaps some of them should be laid off.
As a more general matter, I am tired of reading about our DA’s filing of overblown and unsupported charges. This not how I want my tax dollars spent.
The most recent example appears to be the felony charges against the UCD student with an interest in chemistry who had a bunch of chemicals in his dorm room. Some of those chemicals could be used to make explosives if mixed together by someone inclined to do harm. But the Davis Enterprise (for what it’s worth) has published at least two articles quoting the UCD police as stating that they do not believe the student intended to harm anyone.
So why is the student being arraigned next week on a charge of possessing materials with an intent to make a destructive devise or explosive? It is not a crime to possess these chemicals if you do not intent to use them to make a destructive device or explosive.
The student is also being arraigned on charges of possession of explosive materials on school/college grounds. Everything I have read in the papers indicates that the police did not find any explosive materials. All they found was chemicals, some of which could be used to make explosives. It is not a crime to possess these chemicals on school/college grounds. So, again, why is the student being arraigned on these charges?
In the meantime, the student has been suspended from UCD and barred from campus, including his housing.
If there aren’t enough actual crimes in Yolo County to keep the attorneys in the DA’s office busy, perhaps some of them should be laid off.
As a more general matter, I am tired of reading about our DA’s filing of overblown and unsupported charges. This not how I want my tax dollars spent.
The most recent example appears to be the felony charges against the UCD student with an interest in chemistry who had a bunch of chemicals in his dorm room. Some of those chemicals could be used to make explosives if mixed together by someone inclined to do harm. But the Davis Enterprise (for what it’s worth) has published at least two articles quoting the UCD police as stating that they do not believe the student intended to harm anyone.
So why is the student being arraigned next week on a charge of possessing materials with an intent to make a destructive devise or explosive? It is not a crime to possess these chemicals if you do not intent to use them to make a destructive device or explosive.
The student is also being arraigned on charges of possession of explosive materials on school/college grounds. Everything I have read in the papers indicates that the police did not find any explosive materials. All they found was chemicals, some of which could be used to make explosives. It is not a crime to possess these chemicals on school/college grounds. So, again, why is the student being arraigned on these charges?
In the meantime, the student has been suspended from UCD and barred from campus, including his housing.
If there aren’t enough actual crimes in Yolo County to keep the attorneys in the DA’s office busy, perhaps some of them should be laid off.
The charges against Serena that were dropped stemmed from him providing health insurance coverage to his co-habiting GF’s child through his emloyment. They had nothing to do with his management of the Housing Authority.
This was a witch hunt through and through against Serena. This is also more proof that the DA’s office continues to over charge cases no matter who is in charge.
Robin, you are absolutely right about the student at UC Davis. Even when the investigating officers are reasonable, the DA’s office files charges just to keep themselves busy till the dismiss the case and just to grab sensational headlines for whoever’s in charge.
The charges against Serena that were dropped stemmed from him providing health insurance coverage to his co-habiting GF’s child through his emloyment. They had nothing to do with his management of the Housing Authority.
This was a witch hunt through and through against Serena. This is also more proof that the DA’s office continues to over charge cases no matter who is in charge.
Robin, you are absolutely right about the student at UC Davis. Even when the investigating officers are reasonable, the DA’s office files charges just to keep themselves busy till the dismiss the case and just to grab sensational headlines for whoever’s in charge.
The charges against Serena that were dropped stemmed from him providing health insurance coverage to his co-habiting GF’s child through his emloyment. They had nothing to do with his management of the Housing Authority.
This was a witch hunt through and through against Serena. This is also more proof that the DA’s office continues to over charge cases no matter who is in charge.
Robin, you are absolutely right about the student at UC Davis. Even when the investigating officers are reasonable, the DA’s office files charges just to keep themselves busy till the dismiss the case and just to grab sensational headlines for whoever’s in charge.
The charges against Serena that were dropped stemmed from him providing health insurance coverage to his co-habiting GF’s child through his emloyment. They had nothing to do with his management of the Housing Authority.
This was a witch hunt through and through against Serena. This is also more proof that the DA’s office continues to over charge cases no matter who is in charge.
Robin, you are absolutely right about the student at UC Davis. Even when the investigating officers are reasonable, the DA’s office files charges just to keep themselves busy till the dismiss the case and just to grab sensational headlines for whoever’s in charge.
“So why is the student being arraigned next week on a charge of possessing materials with an intent to make a destructive devise or explosive?”
Mark Woods has been charged with “possession of chemicals to make explosives and possession of explosive materials on the school grounds.”
“But the Davis Enterprise (for what it’s worth) has published at least two articles quoting the UCD police as stating that they do not believe the student intended to harm anyone.”
Woods has not been charged with “intending to do harm to anyone.”
Two key bits of evidence — which Robin ignored in her summary of the case — are that he 1) had two “pipe-bomb shells” and 2) one of the pipe-bomb shells was fitted already with a fuse in it. (This was reported in The Davis Enterprise by Lauren Keene.)
I don’t really know what a “pipe-bomb shell” is. It sounds bad. I asked Laurne Keene (in an email) what a pipe-bomb shell is but she hasn’t yet gotten back to me.
But if it is what it sounds like, and he had a fuse in one, then there is no question that this guy was trying to make a bomb in his dormroom.
That doesn’t mean he ever intended to hurt anyone. Based on the comments of his friends which were reported in The Enterprise, I assume he had no intention of committing an act of terrorism or directing an explosion at any person. Perhaps he just wanted to see if he could make a big explosion. (Boys with their toys kind of thing.) And if that is the case, then this guy is a complete knucklehead who deserves to be kicked out of school and prosecuted.
Why? Because a lot can go wrong when you are playing around with bombs. It might have exploded in his dorm room. It might have accidentally killed or maimed his, his roommate, and or his neighbors. It might have created a much larger and more dangerous explosion than he expected. The university cannot allow curious boys to go about making bombs in their dorms, even if their intent is not to harm anyone.
“So why is the student being arraigned next week on a charge of possessing materials with an intent to make a destructive devise or explosive?”
Mark Woods has been charged with “possession of chemicals to make explosives and possession of explosive materials on the school grounds.”
“But the Davis Enterprise (for what it’s worth) has published at least two articles quoting the UCD police as stating that they do not believe the student intended to harm anyone.”
Woods has not been charged with “intending to do harm to anyone.”
Two key bits of evidence — which Robin ignored in her summary of the case — are that he 1) had two “pipe-bomb shells” and 2) one of the pipe-bomb shells was fitted already with a fuse in it. (This was reported in The Davis Enterprise by Lauren Keene.)
I don’t really know what a “pipe-bomb shell” is. It sounds bad. I asked Laurne Keene (in an email) what a pipe-bomb shell is but she hasn’t yet gotten back to me.
But if it is what it sounds like, and he had a fuse in one, then there is no question that this guy was trying to make a bomb in his dormroom.
That doesn’t mean he ever intended to hurt anyone. Based on the comments of his friends which were reported in The Enterprise, I assume he had no intention of committing an act of terrorism or directing an explosion at any person. Perhaps he just wanted to see if he could make a big explosion. (Boys with their toys kind of thing.) And if that is the case, then this guy is a complete knucklehead who deserves to be kicked out of school and prosecuted.
Why? Because a lot can go wrong when you are playing around with bombs. It might have exploded in his dorm room. It might have accidentally killed or maimed his, his roommate, and or his neighbors. It might have created a much larger and more dangerous explosion than he expected. The university cannot allow curious boys to go about making bombs in their dorms, even if their intent is not to harm anyone.
“So why is the student being arraigned next week on a charge of possessing materials with an intent to make a destructive devise or explosive?”
Mark Woods has been charged with “possession of chemicals to make explosives and possession of explosive materials on the school grounds.”
“But the Davis Enterprise (for what it’s worth) has published at least two articles quoting the UCD police as stating that they do not believe the student intended to harm anyone.”
Woods has not been charged with “intending to do harm to anyone.”
Two key bits of evidence — which Robin ignored in her summary of the case — are that he 1) had two “pipe-bomb shells” and 2) one of the pipe-bomb shells was fitted already with a fuse in it. (This was reported in The Davis Enterprise by Lauren Keene.)
I don’t really know what a “pipe-bomb shell” is. It sounds bad. I asked Laurne Keene (in an email) what a pipe-bomb shell is but she hasn’t yet gotten back to me.
But if it is what it sounds like, and he had a fuse in one, then there is no question that this guy was trying to make a bomb in his dormroom.
That doesn’t mean he ever intended to hurt anyone. Based on the comments of his friends which were reported in The Enterprise, I assume he had no intention of committing an act of terrorism or directing an explosion at any person. Perhaps he just wanted to see if he could make a big explosion. (Boys with their toys kind of thing.) And if that is the case, then this guy is a complete knucklehead who deserves to be kicked out of school and prosecuted.
Why? Because a lot can go wrong when you are playing around with bombs. It might have exploded in his dorm room. It might have accidentally killed or maimed his, his roommate, and or his neighbors. It might have created a much larger and more dangerous explosion than he expected. The university cannot allow curious boys to go about making bombs in their dorms, even if their intent is not to harm anyone.
“So why is the student being arraigned next week on a charge of possessing materials with an intent to make a destructive devise or explosive?”
Mark Woods has been charged with “possession of chemicals to make explosives and possession of explosive materials on the school grounds.”
“But the Davis Enterprise (for what it’s worth) has published at least two articles quoting the UCD police as stating that they do not believe the student intended to harm anyone.”
Woods has not been charged with “intending to do harm to anyone.”
Two key bits of evidence — which Robin ignored in her summary of the case — are that he 1) had two “pipe-bomb shells” and 2) one of the pipe-bomb shells was fitted already with a fuse in it. (This was reported in The Davis Enterprise by Lauren Keene.)
I don’t really know what a “pipe-bomb shell” is. It sounds bad. I asked Laurne Keene (in an email) what a pipe-bomb shell is but she hasn’t yet gotten back to me.
But if it is what it sounds like, and he had a fuse in one, then there is no question that this guy was trying to make a bomb in his dormroom.
That doesn’t mean he ever intended to hurt anyone. Based on the comments of his friends which were reported in The Enterprise, I assume he had no intention of committing an act of terrorism or directing an explosion at any person. Perhaps he just wanted to see if he could make a big explosion. (Boys with their toys kind of thing.) And if that is the case, then this guy is a complete knucklehead who deserves to be kicked out of school and prosecuted.
Why? Because a lot can go wrong when you are playing around with bombs. It might have exploded in his dorm room. It might have accidentally killed or maimed his, his roommate, and or his neighbors. It might have created a much larger and more dangerous explosion than he expected. The university cannot allow curious boys to go about making bombs in their dorms, even if their intent is not to harm anyone.