Mayor Blum on Juarez
This is for a new topic from an Anonymous -- I don't agree with the conclusion as I think that a 14 year old is only just 14 and I see the Mayor's point (much like I saw Salud's point although I disagreed with his email to a constituent)...but differentiate the vindictive comments and it is a topic worthy of discussion. Should a 14 year old face life in prison? I don't think so...
Again...as with the post on Carbajal a week or so ago, I did not write this....but feel like our readers should have access to community posts as much as possible.
Sara
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Did anyone see the Daily Sound on Friday, with the first extensive comments by Marty Blum, giving her opinion on the recent stabbing on State Street and musing about how she was a part-time third grade teacher at Roosevelt School and how the stabbing victim was a nice little boy, and that 14-year-olds don't understand their actions. (Gosh, why would juarez even think to wear gloves? It wasn't for yard work.) I wonder how the police department and the DA's office feel about reading her schoolmarm comments. She sure didn't sound like a mayor in that interview.
Again...as with the post on Carbajal a week or so ago, I did not write this....but feel like our readers should have access to community posts as much as possible.
Sara
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Did anyone see the Daily Sound on Friday, with the first extensive comments by Marty Blum, giving her opinion on the recent stabbing on State Street and musing about how she was a part-time third grade teacher at Roosevelt School and how the stabbing victim was a nice little boy, and that 14-year-olds don't understand their actions. (Gosh, why would juarez even think to wear gloves? It wasn't for yard work.) I wonder how the police department and the DA's office feel about reading her schoolmarm comments. She sure didn't sound like a mayor in that interview.
Labels: "Gang Melee", City of Santa Barbara
posted by Sara De la Guerra | 7/02/2007 08:17:00 PM
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51 Comments:
Why is this woman Mayor?
She thinks like a school kid. She doesn't have a clue, and that will not help solve the gang problem. Let's just hope she stays out of the way and lets the professionals do their jobs!
Blum is a lawyer and a public official. She never should have made the public comments she made about this case.
Now they can try to get the case thrown out for prejudicial pre-trial publicity. That interview was incredibly stupid. Has she taken leave of her senses.
The alleged defendent deserves to be tried as an adult. The alleged crime represents adult behavior. Murder is not kid's play. It is murder.
It is sad but true that we hold the owners of rogue dogs that escape from backyards more responsible than we hold the parents of juvenile delinquents who wander the city with a baseball bat, or worse.
According to our local law enforcement's best estimate, a good percentage of local gang bangers are living with parents who are in this country illegally.
One of the most disturbing things I have learned from our local law enforcement officials, with respect to the issue of gang violence, is that many of the kids in gangs intimidate their parents into being silent about their criminal behavior by threatening to report their parent(s) to the authorities.
Such dastardly behavior deserves its own reward.
For those parents who are here illegally and still choose to turn in their gang banger(s) for his crime(s) against society, perhaps amnesty, or at least fast track toward citizenship, should be considered as a reward or as an incentive to do the right thing.
After all, a parent who is willing to do such a bold and courageous thing has demonstrated some of the main ingredients of good citizenship: accountability and responsibility.
Do you think that the Police and DA are suprised by Marty's comments? This is standard fare for the Mayor. She hasn't a clue what is going on in our streets. The Cops do and that is why they don't pay any attention to her.
I tend to agree with the Mayor that a 14 year old shouldnt be tried as a adult. At the same time since according to all the media both groups were planning for a fight why hasnt the DA charged others in both groups Eastside and Westside with involuntary or voluntary manslaughter as juv's.
If the DA really wanted to make a example she could have done that rather than waste one 14 year olds life by putting him into the system with no hope of getting out within 5-10 years.
If several people can be charged with a persons murder even when one person does since they are all part of the crime why wasnt that used? You really want to send a message to the gang community as a whole and get some hope of rehabilitation maybe she should have tried that.
Ms. Blum is showing compassion for Juarez. Fine. But, what about some compassion for the family of the victim, whose life
has been ended? Acting with compassion can also be done with common sense, and common sense says that gang members and would-be gang members need to know that hideous crimes will not be taken lightly. There's a pile of gang members out there who would love to see Juarez get soft treatment. Does Blum want to cater to that?
Mayor Blum, I invite you to change your mind. Have compassion for everyone, including the victims and would-be victims and recruits of these gangs. Show some strength and send a message. Someone took the life another intentionally. Premeditated or not, it was still an intentional killing, and trying the suspect as an adult would let the others know that encouraging the younger members to do the killing will not be rewarded.
A 14 year-old should only be tried as an adult if there is they have a chronic pattern of violent crime. I don't know what this 14 year-old's history and pattern is, but one killing alone would not make him a candidate for adult treatment, IMO.
In any case, if he is sent to prison, most likely he'll be abused (sexually and otherwise). Whether the California Youth Authority or the State Penal System, it is a torture house, and one that Californians pay top dollar for. Wish a great river could be diverted into those Augean stables.
Nice job, anon, sneaking in the line about gloves and yard work--always good to edge claims with some veiled racism. For what other work could a Juarez do? Oh, join a gang and kill someone.
Good thing this event could confirm all your stereotpyes and thereby make it impossible to see him as a kid. Let's hear it for our mayor who can hope there's something redeemable in everyone, especially the young.
Once again, Marty just can't help herself. Why in the world would she think it's o.k. to publicize her personal opinions about a murder case before the DA and PD have a chance to try the case in a court of law? Marty's premature comments are inappropriate...no matter what side you're on.
I've not published a post because someone called someone names -- let's take it easy and keep it to the question of being 14, rather than acting like we are :)
Also, why couldn't one also say that our new DA may have felt she had to be tougher than many situations because she was newly elected and had to make a statement. What effect could that have?
Sara---your own comments, and the ones you withold, seem more reflective of a 14 yr old than anything else.....
.....sadly, both your and the Mayor's comments reflect your woeful ignorance about the elements of the law [Prop 21 and 707(b)W&IC] that enable a prosecutor, and a judge, to try a person as an adult, and the potential sentencing consequences of that law. Until you do understand it---- it seems irresponsible to make less-than-factual [careful not to namecall....] and quite misleading statements about the impact of that law while the proceedings in this case, a pending jury trial are ongoing.....
....if there ever WAS a crime that warranted trial as an adult--this one has all the elements----but being a responsible citizen, I won't elaborate in a public forum....
Very astute observation about the DA, Sara. This could be her platform case that she can define her vision of crime and punishment in SB, and should the ultimate judgement from the courts come down in her corner, it is a case that will go over well with the voting public in future elections.
I think the gloves reference speaks more to the issue of premeditation (by a kid) than some stretch of racism.
10:23 makes a good point. This is gang activity, more than one person is responsible for this senseless murder & all complicit should be held accountable. While I don't believe a 14 old kid should be tried as an adult, I recognize the complexity of this crime- it is often the younger gang members who are pawns of the older ones simply because they know they won't be subject to the adult laws.
I confess I'm not as aware of some of the details of this case as I should be. Did Juarez indeed wear gloves? And if so, what kind of gloves? Were these latex gloves or "I'm 14 and I think that I look cooler in these weightlifting/biking/someothersport" gloves?
The 14 year old should be tried as an adult. All family members of the murderer who are illegal aliens should be immediately deported. The stakes have been raised by the gang members, so the punishment should fit the crime.
news today on KEYT of subpoena of Daily Sound to release photos of the incident.
http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_6286114
The "kid" is a gang member. He killed someone. Does it matter if he is 14 or 30? No.
His gang member peers look at him like he is a god now. That is the life in which they live. Youth violence is one of the main reasons Prop 21 came about and why he can be tried as an adult. Times change and like it or not 14 year olds are killing people....
The new DA was soundly elected by a large group of voters. She does not need to "show how tough she is". She is tough and she is respected. No one scores points beating up little kids, if they did not already earn the right to be tried as an adult.
Marty needs to learn more about separation of powers. Try the 14 year old as an adult. And rather than assume you know the DA's motivations, ask her.
But what is the point of speculating about this in the first place? Not sure where you wanted this thread to go, Sara? Gasp, were you "biased" ahead of time when you started this? Naw.
Susano, Umm, the kind of gloves that don't leave fingerprints----not the kind that look cool. You can plainly see the gloves in the photos.
Premeditation, targeting a particular victim for a particular reason, vicious knife attack---all elements that make this murder---regardless of the age of the perpetrator---a particularly heinous one.
There is still much discretion in sentencing--in fact more so in adult court......
there are many reasons for this to be tried in an adult, public court. This community deserves to know the facts of how this horrible crime happened.
This is the real significance here for Blogabarbara:
1. This was an enterprise story in Daily Sound, by a separate contract writer who had the time for a longer, deeper article.
2. The actual and contrived outrage here in these comments are a reaction to a posting about a DAILY SOUND news article, not the other daily whatever-it-is that some people think is the only subject matter and reason Blogabarbara exists.
3. The Mayor by default and reality is a community leader and has an educated opinion on the murder suspect and the prosecutorial charges. Some people disagree, and then debate that; thus, democracy happens.
4. The District Attorney has a legal option, under State Law, to charge the suspect as an adult, if for any reason just because of his age of 14+. The Court and jury will address that. The Legal System will run its course. Can the Court be trusted to be just and fair? That seems the bigger question if this is any issue at all; not the question of what the prosecutor should do.
5. Like most criminal cases, a lot of information is not known to the public until it is revealed at trial. Just maybe that is happening here.
6. District Attorney Stanley was elected, and she can be unelected too if enough people are outraged in 3 years. We all know, elected Prosecutors seldom if ever are elected because they are soft on crime or do not exercise options for maximal punishment for a crime that initiated so much community outrage and shock. It is basic negotiating to pile on the charges and see what sticks in the end.
7. Electeds on the legislative side of government, as on City Council, can opine all they want just like anonymous bloggers do, but should the other elected District Attorney react based on what a Mayor or Councilmember or others think?
8. Who is the audience here to convince? Will blog comments influence the District Attorney and her staff? Should they?
9. Do we want the prosecutors to be swayed by public opinion as a murder case is being built?
10. Also, do we want the Public Defender to demand the unpublished photos of Daily Sound or other newspapers or other news organizations? When or should that Wall be breached? Your photos and your files would be next.
I've been thinking about my earlier comment all day long and your comment wrapped everything up very nicely to what I would try to say. Thank you.
I like Christie Stanley and I like Marty Blum -- they both come from a different space, and make complete sense. I hesitated over sounding so sure with Stanley -- a lot of people put input into her decision AND she must wonder about it too. Tough choices as public officials....2:24, it's not that easy of a judgement as that.
SDG:
I would like to opine the following:
A: Daily Sound did the best job on this
B: I agree with 10:23
C: As a family member of a murder victem, who was a member of this town (owned hidden oaks cc) I am not comfortable with this prosecution, a 14 year old idosent realize what he has done. If it was a 17 year old who had been in the gang life for a while I would be cheering but it isnt...
"She sure didn't sound like a mayor in that interview."
So a mayor must be an ignorant angry unsophisticated vengeful thug who salivates over locking people up for as long as possible but hasn't a clue about how to actually stem crime and doesn't really care about, or is even capable of thinking about, such long term goals? Personally, I'd rather have a "schoolmarm" who is educated, compassionate, and a sophisticated thinker as mayor.
"Ms. Blum is showing compassion for Juarez. Fine. But, what about some compassion for the family of the victim"
It's very odd that a "voice of reason" would claim that compassion for families of victims is demonstrated by calling for stiff sentences for perpetrators. If you want to argue for the latter, fine, but doing so under the cloak of the former is rank exploitation that reduces the real family of the victim to an abstract talking point.
"I think the gloves reference speaks more to the issue of premeditation (by a kid) than some stretch of racism."
George's point was about yard work -- he made his case about racism quite clear: "For what other work could a Juarez do?" but for some reason you chose to ignore it.
" The District Attorney has a legal option, under State Law, to charge the suspect as an adult, if for any reason just because of his age of 14+. The Court and jury will address that. The Legal System will run its course. Can the Court be trusted to be just and fair? That seems the bigger question if this is any issue at all; not the question of what the prosecutor should do."
That doesn't make any sense. It is, as you say, the DA, not the Court and jury, who decides whether the defendant is charged as an adult. The Court and jury do not "address that". The only thing the jury does is make a finding of fact. The DA is also part of the legal system and as an officer of the court has an obligation to be just and fair and ensure due process. After a long history of corruption, selective treatment, and miscarriages of justice by DA offices across this country, highlighted by recent news (e.g., http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny--convictionquestio0702jul02,0,3493193.story), it's bizarre to see someone claim that it's "not the question of what the prosecutor should do."
Speaking of the significance of actions of district attornies in the news lately, I forgot to mention the DA of Jena, Louisiana, land of nooses and whites-only trees, who told black students that the hanging of nooses in school colors on the tree was an "innocent prank" that they should stop protesting because "I can be your best friend or your worst enemy. I can take away your lives with a stroke of my pen." And he's been good to his word; sophomore football star Mychal Bell has been convicted by an all white jury (that included friends of the DA and friends and relatives of the witnesses) for conspiracy and "aggravated battery" -- with his tennis shoes as the "dangerous weapon" required for that charge -- and faces 22 years in prison, and 5 other black defendants still face trial for attempted second degree murder. (If the black students were attempting to murder the white student who called them "n......", what stopped them? He was punched and kicked but received no serious injuries. OTOH, he was later arrested for bringing a hunting rifle loaded with 13 bullets to school.)
Of course none of this has anything directly to do with DA Stanley or the case here, it just illustrates the power of district attornies and the absurdity of saying it's "not the question of what the prosecutor should do".
Sara--- this is stretching into slanderous territory---- with 5:26's lengthy diatribe discussing a completely unrelated but inflammatory story about a D.A........
Mayor Blum's comments should have been confined to cocktail party banter with her liberal friends. That venue is perfect for people who want to express compassion while possessing few facts. Funny how the DA's office makes daily decisions on how to file charges without any help from Blum or the rest of us, for that matter. Funny how people ignorant of gang mentality, the police investigation, and sentencing guidelines suddenly want their voices heard in this matter. Fortunately, Blum's remarks will no more influence the outcome of this proceeding than they have the Iraq conflict.
7:22 AM -- I trust that JQB got his information from a media source as he usually does (perhaps he would link to something, JQB?).
As a public figure, this DA shouldn't be calling the hanging of nooses an "innocent prank"...how is what JQB said slanderous assuming that is what this Louisiana DA said? This DA deserves a bit of sunlight if that is what happened....JQB?
12:27pm is right on. Mayor Blum (or any mayor for that matter) should show some class and etiquette. Allow the DA to do her job without interference from someone only vaguely familiar with all the facts.
JQB says, "Personally, I'd rather have a "schoolmarm" who is educated, compassionate, and a sophisticated thinker as mayor."
I couldn't agree more.....does anyone know if someone like that is planning to run for mayor?
Sara--- it is the juxtaposition of the story about the racist Louisiana DA with the ostensible topic of this blog that renders the posting of THAT story a bit misleading....but hey, it is your blog, you do what you want....
Dan Secord needs to run for mayor. We need an adult back on the city council.
Travis is right again with his editorial saying we did not get what we paid for giving the city council large and perpetual raises last year - (1) no new faces willing to run, and (2) no full time city council members whose only job is to do the business of our city on our, the residents of this city, behalf.
All the raise did was allow council members to attend more out of town conferences. And farm the real work out to over-paid "consultants".
This raise was one lousy waste of tax dollars.
The only Thin Blue Line we need in Santa Barbara are more police officers on the streets.
Thank you Daily Sound for your new columnists who are finally talking sense about this town. Let's hope they both run this coming election. They would beat any incumbent out there. Easily.
We are tried of the city council just saying more, more, more to too many failed programs and agendas and special interest groups.
C'mon Cherie and Loretta - we NEED you. Get Terry Tyler to run with you, and let's see you all do a clean sweep for this city.
But don't go to bed with the unions, or the developers. Stick with us - the residents and the voters who live here.
Mayor Dan
Councilmembers: Tyler, Rae, Redd
Sanity at last.
Interesting that many long-time residents of varied political persuasions have asserted in private conversation that in SB the mayor has very limited power; it's the City Administrator who holds it all, and the Mayor, City Council and City Attorney carry out his mission. Any truth to that? At least I haven't read of any comments he's made on the Juarez case (or virtually anything else for that matter).
Yes, while we are on that point here, Secord indeed should run for mayor!
We need such a candidate to siphon off votes that otherwise would go for Iya Falcone.
DRAFT SECORD NOW
Split the Femi-Lib vote between Schneider and Falcone, and let Secord emerge from the ashes. This city aches for leadership we can see, touch, hear and feel.
Schneider will turn the city over to the homeless and Falcone will dither it away with endless intonations of soothing sounding words, signifying nothing.
We need Secord's grit.
It's like deja-vu all over again -- let's keep to the topic please, there will be plenty of time to talk about the election in coming months.
"Sara--- this is stretching into slanderous territory---- with 5:26's lengthy diatribe discussing a completely unrelated but inflammatory story about a D.A........"
Um, hardly, when I said explicitly that it doesn't have anything directly to do with Ms. Stanley, only with David Pritchett's downplaying of the importance of the actions of prosecutors. It wasn't completely unrelated, as I explicitly noted exactly how it was related -- there have very recently been two stories in the news about major misconduct by DAs, and I posted about those two. You really need to consult a dictionary on those big words you're using.
"I trust that JQB got his information from a media source as he usually does (perhaps he would link to something, JQB?)."
Sure; just google "harmless prank" + Jena. It's not like I made this up. It wasn't just the DA, but many of the citizens of Jena, who characterized the nooses as a "prank", as reported by the BBC, the Chicago Tribune, etc. But the citizens aren't the ones who have the power to selectively bring charges, the DA does, and that was my point. And it's the Jena DA (Reed Walters, google) who said, according to multiple witnesses, "I can make your lives disappear with a stroke of my pen." Even if he never did say it, it's true, and that's my point. (I have a couple of more personal stories about how one's life can be significantly affected by the whims of prosecutors right here in beautiful Santa Barbara, that I'm not at liberty to discuss further at the moment.)
We need to do everything we can to keep conservatives out of office, and run them out of town if possible. Santa Barbara is no place for them. They can have Simi Valley.
sounds like FDS is already up to the same nasty, anti-IYA campaigning that poisoned SB politics in 2005. shame. grow up.
How dare anyone write something that describes a political strategy that is true!
Why would Republicans want a strong presidential candidate from the Green Party? Obviously, those Repubs need to grow up and feel guilty about their shame.
I say swiftboat any repub that even thinks about running for office in Santa Barbara!
Let's take away all the Republican's private property rights first, and then let's skunk 'em at the polls so there would be nothing left for them to play with anyway.
Then let's get on with the serious work creating the Peoples Republic of Santa Barbara. Santa Monica, show us the way.
That's not such a bad idea. It seems to be working.
"I say swiftboat any repub"
Swiftboating is by its nature, and the nature of Republicans, a Republican strategy. So is posing as a caricature of a liberal, with absurd talk about taking away property rights.
In 2002, Santa Monica started cracking down on all the homeless that were drawn to this city and ruining it for everyone. Yes, it is a good idea to follow their example.
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