Prosecution Admits Error on Bail in Murder Case
The county district attorney’s office conceded on Tuesday that prosecutors erred last week when they recommended only $20,000 bail for two white youths charged in the shooting death of a black minister, but denied that the decision was racist.
“Our bail schedule calls for no bail in a murder case,†said Sandi Gibbons, spokeswoman for the district attorney. “Therefore, we feel that the recommendation of the $20,000 initial bail was unjustified. However, it has been rectified.â€
The review of the decision to allow low bail was prompted by protests from ministers and community activists in the northeast San Fernando Valley, who reacted angrily after learning that the suspects in the July 28 slaying of Carl White, pastor of the Apostolic Temple Church, were initially granted $20,000 bail.
But Deputy Dist. Atty. Richard W. Hecht, chief of branch and area operations, said “I regret the issue of race was raised here. I don’t find that to be true.â€
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