San Francisco filmmaker and journalist Kevin Epps was convicted in a case marked by controversy surrounding the use of digital reconstruction evidence. The conviction has prompted calls for a public re-investigation of the proceedings and the involved prosecutor, whose documented history includes prior ethical and legal issues.
In Episode 335 of “Everyday Injustice,” veteran criminal defense attorney Iris Eytan discussed the significant structural failures within the American criminal legal system, specifically addressing the lack of meaningful accountability for prosecutorial misconduct. Eytan, founder of Protect Ethical Prosecutors, advocated for legislative and ballot measure reforms to permit wrongfully accused individuals to pursue civil claims against prosecutors in limited cases, asserting that such measures would deter misconduct and restore public confidence in the justice system.
Ernest Dykes and Curtis Ervin have initiated legal proceedings against the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office, alleging systematic exclusion of Black and Jewish jurors from their capital trials in the 1990s. This litigation follows a federal judicial finding of unconstitutional prosecutorial misconduct, which resulted in the reduction of their death sentences.
Judge Michael Begert authorized defense attorneys to litigate allegations of persistent late discovery by prosecutors directly before the jury in a San Francisco criminal trial. Public Defender Jared Rudolph had renewed a motion for additional sanctions, asserting that Assistant District Attorney Rachael McDaniels provided further vital evidence on June 18, subsequent to a prior court order imposing sanctions for similar discovery violations. Rudolph contended that the continued noncompliance, involving information from investigations over two years old, indicated a systemic issue within the District Attorney’s Office.
The California Supreme Court reversed the death sentence of Anthony Bankston, a Los Angeles Bloods gang member convicted of a 1991 murder, citing racial bias. The court found a prosecutor’s comparison of Bankston to a “dangerous animal” during the penalty phase violated the 2020 Racial Justice Act. This ruling marks the first time a death sentence has been overturned under the Act, though Bankston’s murder conviction remains.
Orange County Judge Patrick Donahue dismissed all criminal charges against dermatologist Dr. Emily Yu, ruling that prosecutors committed multiple violations during grand jury proceedings. The court found prosecutors failed to present exculpatory evidence and improperly dismissed grand jurors, undermining the integrity of the indictment process.
An Illinois federal judge issued sharp criticism of prosecutors following the dismissal of charges against six individuals, collectively known as the “Broadview Six.” The dismissal stemmed from allegations of prosecutorial misconduct, jury tampering, and attempts to mislead the court during proceedings.
Richard Glossip, an Oklahoma man incarcerated for nearly three decades and facing execution for a murder he consistently denied committing, was released from custody Thursday. An Oklahoma County judge granted a $500,000 bond, stipulating electronic monitoring, a nightly curfew, and restrictions on interstate travel, as Glossip awaits a new trial.
The Yolo County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to determine the succession process for District Attorney Jeff Reisig on Tuesday. County staff presented two primary options: the direct appointment of Chief Deputy District Attorney Melinda Aiello to the permanent role, or the initiation of an abbreviated recruitment process to consider additional candidates.
The U.S. Senate confirmed Darin Smith as U.S. attorney for Wyoming, a development occurring days after federal judges dismissed nine felony cases. The dismissals stemmed from findings of Smith’s “flagrant” misconduct during grand jury proceedings, prompting concerns regarding prosecutorial conduct and the administration of justice on the Wind River Reservation.
A special edition of the Everyday Injustice podcast convened a discussion on wrongful convictions, prosecutorial misconduct, police accountability, and the future of criminal justice reform in California, featuring host David Greenwald, Ben Free Project founder Ben Frandsen, legal advocate Lydia Morgan, and Santa Clara County District Attorney candidate Daniel Chung. The dialogue centered on Chung’s campaign to unseat incumbent Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen and broader systemic failures within the criminal legal system.
An Oklahoma County judge granted bond to death row prisoner Richard Glossip, marking a significant development in his capital punishment case after nearly 29 years of incarceration, nine execution dates, and three last meals. The ruling, which followed a U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning his conviction due to prosecutorial misconduct, allows Glossip release on $500,000 bail pending retrial proceedings.
Deputy District Attorney Alexandra Grayner has accused District Attorney Ursula Jones-Dickson and other senior prosecutors of retaliating against her after she reported alleged unlawful practices, conflicts of interest and due process violations within the office.
Jermaine Hopkins, an honorably discharged disabled veteran and former police officer, has alleged a pattern of institutional intimidation and retaliation against Deputy District Attorney Daniel Chung, which he believes is part of a larger trend of powerful officials using their power to silence critics and deflect blame.
The U.S. Department of Justice is facing criticism for proposing a rule that would expand its power and shield its own attorneys from accountability for professional misconduct, potentially eroding public trust in the justice system.
A peaceful protest in Los Gatos against the billionaire class resulted in one of the organizers being charged with a felony for writing “Tesla Funds Fascism” in chalk, raising questions about the Santa Clara County DA’s priorities.
The California Superior Court of Alameda County vacated Franklin Lynch’s death sentence and conviction due to violations of the state’s Racial Justice Act, finding that Assistant District Attorney James Anderson engaged in racially biased conduct during Lynch’s trial.
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Orange County has agreed to pay $925,000 to settle a sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit brought by a deputy district attorney who alleged she was subjected to repeated inappropriate conduct by a supervisor inside the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
Curtis Davis Jr.’s conviction is being questioned due to potential prosecutorial misconduct, plea bargaining, and withholding of exculpatory evidence, highlighting systemic issues in the criminal legal system.