Court Watch

Hundreds March in Woodland Against DA’s Abuse of Power

Hundreds March in Woodland Against DA’s Abuse of Power

By David GreenwaldAugust 23, 200923 comments

Call For Federal Investigation into April 30 Killing of Luis Gutierrez –

woodland august march 061

What was billed as a mass demonstration on Saturday evening starting at Freeman Park and culminating at the County Court house, spilled into a general protest against District Attorney Jeff Reisig’s abuse of power.

At least 200 people and as many as 300 showed up on a Saturday night in Woodland with the County Fair in full swing.  They boisterously but peacefully exercised their First Amendment rights to protest against their government.

Commentary: DA Reisig Suddenly Vulnerable in 2010?

Commentary: DA Reisig Suddenly Vulnerable in 2010?

By David GreenwaldAugust 22, 200918 comments
reisigIt seems like not long ago, I was sitting down and handicapping the races for 2010 and the general conclusion was that District Attorney Jeff Reisig would probably escape without serious challenge.  It seemed he built up enough protection and that no one would be particularly eager to challenge him.  The sense is at this point however that Mr. Reisig is much more vulnerable than one might think and a credible challenger could emerge with a good shot of knocking him off.

In 2006, Jeff Reisig earned the support of the outgoing District Attorney David Henderson and along with him nearly the entire DA’s office, the entire law enforcement establishment, and most of the political establishment.  Indeed, if you looked at the list of endorsements alone, you would assume that Reisig would win in a landslide.  And yet, it was a hard and at times bitterly fought race against fellow Deputy DA Pat Lenzi.  It was a race marked by outright lies and distortions of Ms. Lenzi’s record.  But it was a race that came down to a very narrow victory for Mr. Reisig.

Yolo County DA Investigator Sues DA’s Office For Breach of Privacy and Whistle-Blower Retaliation

Yolo County DA Investigator Sues DA’s Office For Breach of Privacy and Whistle-Blower Retaliation

By David GreenwaldAugust 20, 200919 comments
reisigYolo County District Attorney’s Office Investigator Randy Skaggs has filed a lawsuit against Yolo County, the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office, DA Jeff Reisig and Chief District Attorney Investigator Pete Martin for among other things a violation of right to privacy and whistle-blower retaliation.

In September of 2008, Mr. Skaggs, a ten year veteran DA Investigator was placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an administrative inquiry into allegations of misconduct.  Details of the discipline case were then disclosed to Dave Markss, Chief DA Investigator for Colusa County’s DA’s Office who sent the details of the conversation to no less than thirteen other Chief District Attorney Investigators.

Commentary: Is 378 Years Really Justice?

Commentary: Is 378 Years Really Justice?

By David GreenwaldAugust 15, 200942 comments

dev_2595.jpg

The Vanguard began in July of 2006, a little over a month after District Attorney Jeff Reisig was elected in a tightly battled and hotly contested race with fellow Deputy DA Pat Lenzi.  He took office in January of 2007.  Both before and since that time rarely a week or month does not go by without hearing a complaint about Yolo County justice and the legal system.  And yet, clearly that sentiment does not go very deep because of right now the smart money is that Mr. Reisig will not face a serious challenger in 2010.

A lot can change between now and the end of the year when someone would have to file to run against him.  Indeed there are some surprise bombshells that are being held just beneath the surface at this point, that if they saw the light of day could change entire calculations.  But that will depend on many factors outside of anyone’s control and it’s not even clear that anyone is waiting in the wings to take advantage, should such an opportunity arise.

Crowd Protests Sentence of Ajay Dev Sentenced to 378 Years Last Week

Crowd Protests Sentence of Ajay Dev Sentenced to 378 Years Last Week

By David GreenwaldAugust 12, 2009195 comments

dev_2595

A crowd nearing 100 people, mainly family and friends of Ajay Dev, a Davis man who was sentenced to 378 years last week for the rape and sexual assault of his adopted teenage daughter.

Superior Court Judge Timothy L. Fall sentenced Ajay Kumar Dev, 42, for his multiple count conviction of the serial molest and rape of his adopted daughter, which allegedly occurred between January 1999 and December 2004.

Dev Sentenced To 378 Years in Prison

Dev Sentenced To 378 Years in Prison

By David GreenwaldAugust 9, 200934 comments

yolo countyFamily Claims Miscarriage of Justice and Vows to Fight On

By Royston Sim –

A former Davis resident was sentenced to 378 years and 4 months in state prison Friday at the Yolo County Superior Court.  It is one of the longest sentences in Yolo County history.

Superior Court Judge Timothy L. Fall sentenced Ajay Kumar Dev, 42, for his multiple count conviction of the serial molest and rape of his adopted daughter, which allegedly occurred between January 1999 and December 2004.

Citizens Call For Renewed Scrutiny of Anti-Gang Practices in Yolo County

Citizens Call For Renewed Scrutiny of Anti-Gang Practices in Yolo County

By David GreenwaldJune 11, 20095 comments

gang_injunction

Opponents of the West Sacramento Gang injunction gathered this morning in front of the Yolo County Courthouse ahead of yet another hearing as defendants seek to overturn the gang injunction which was originally filed in 2005, thrown out by the courts, and then the District Attorney’s office sought to have it reinstated last year.

Opponents of the gang injunction argue that while there is crime in West Sacramento and a small number of gang members, neither the level of violence nor the number of gang members justify an injunction.

Residents of Madison Rejoice in County’s Backtrack on Re-Entry Facility

Residents of Madison Rejoice in County’s Backtrack on Re-Entry Facility

By David GreenwaldMay 7, 20091 comments
The group Save Rural Yolo County has been fighting hard to prevent a proposed re-entry facility in Madison.  It appears that the economy has won out on the issue.  On Tuesday, they won a major victory when the Yolo County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to revoke the county’s agreement to build the facility.

Mike McGowan, who is the current chair of the Board of Supervisors denies that Save Rural Yolo County’s political pressure and lawsuit was a major factor in the board’s decision.

Attorneys For Brenda Cedarblade File Letter of Complaint with District Attorney, Yolo County Sheriff, and Woodland Chief of Police

Attorneys For Brenda Cedarblade File Letter of Complaint with District Attorney, Yolo County Sheriff, and Woodland Chief of Police

By David GreenwaldJanuary 21, 200952 comments

Complaint Alleges “Non-Responsiveness” to Series of Violent Threats, Acts of Violence and an Overall Pattern of Harassment

imageYolo County

On December 17, 2008, attorney Matt Gonzalez from the San Francisco based law firm of Gonzalez and Leigh, fired off a complaint addressed to Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig, Sheriff Ed Prieto, and Woodland Police Chief Carey Sullivan.

Budget Problems Put Crimp in Re-Entry Facility for Yolo County

Budget Problems Put Crimp in Re-Entry Facility for Yolo County

By David GreenwaldJanuary 2, 20093 comments
imageYolo County

Opponents of a proposed re-entry facility for Yolo County have been aided by an expected ally–the state’s budget crisis and the nation’s economic crisis. According to an article in the Sacramento Bee on Wednesday, the state has been unable to sell bonds to pay for public works projects including $1 billion to fund re-entry facilities.

These problems are also holding up the $750 in jail construction funds including the $30 million the county is relying on from the state to expand the jail in Woodland–one of the major reasons for the county’s push to build a re-entry facility.

Would the Gang Injuction Serve Us Well In the Case of the Amtrak Beating?

Would the Gang Injuction Serve Us Well In the Case of the Amtrak Beating?

By David GreenwaldNovember 23, 2008189 comments
imageYolo County

I post this letter to the editor that appeared a few days ago in the Woodland Daily Democrat. I am not certain I agree with all of the letter. But there has always been something about the case described above that has not sit well with me.

Five of the youths were charged for crimes. Four of them were found guilty. That’s of course the headline. It is interesting that while a lot of the news accounts covered the guilty verdicts, a few of them did not note that they were acquitted of the most serious charge–attempted murder.

In fact, from what I see, only the Sacramento Bee reported that they were acquitted of the attempted murder charges.