Friday, July 24, 2015

We have a new DA. How's it going?

Chiv has some answers:

What is it like to work for Maggie? Changes she has made since she took office and candid answers from our current DA on plea deals, Measure Z and more - John Chiv/Words Worth

...In the first two months, the most obvious changes I saw was that Maggie was very visible and active on the second floor, from day one. She was overseeing cases, especially the high profile ones, mentoring all attorneys and reaching out very pro-actively to the other partners in the criminal justice system. I also saw Mr. Andrew Isaac mentoring other younger deputy district attorneys. It was very obvious from the beginning that Maggie’s team had the support of their boss and the younger and newer staff could rely on the more experienced attorneys.

The difference in the demeanor of the staff is obvious. They are happier, given the stress and workload of a very demanding job, for me to notice that says something.

It was very evident from day one that the balance in the courtroom was not lopsided towards defense, anymore. Some prosecutors always gave input, but under Maggie’s leadership, there is a consistency with all deputy district attorneys with the presentation and procedure in the courtroom.... KEEP READING

11 comments:

  1. you are duplicating what has already been posted on loco.

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    Replies
    1. No, Rose is duplicating what's already been posted on John Chiv's blog.

      Since Mr. Chiv doesn't mind, and she's attributed the source, I don't see why we should either.

      Delete
    2. Anon, I do not work for LOCO. It was not posted on LOCO, it was posted on my blog, which is linked under LOCO's elsewhere.

      LOCO links me and you read my post and accessed me via LOCO. Rose links me as do other media sources. And I appreciate that media sources help each other out.

      Delete
  2. An excerpt is both a tease for the more in depth interview at Chiv's link, and putting the observation on record here.

    And yes, as I wind this blog down, I do recommend people follow Chiv's blog, and the reporting there.

    And yes, despite the p.o.'d anon at TE last week, Chiv is indeed a reporter - the essence, in fact of what a reporter is. Someone who goes out and gets the story, good old fashioned shoe leather, develops sources, and reporting it out to you... It's not all about a degree and paychecks. Disagree and criticize at will but you'd do well to remember that.

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  3. Thanks Rose for the excerpt and link. I have also reached out to the public defenders for an interview.

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  4. There is trouble in...CAST land. Read the papers. "Chiv quoted a second female juror who was sharply critical of Curtis, claiming, “The DA did a terrible job. He did not present a credible case. Mr. Kufner presented himself very well [on the witness stand.]”

    They also lost a sex crime case earlier on, when Brownfield was prosecuting cases. Where was Mr. Isaac? Where is the mentoring?

    http://madriverunion.com/da-loses-child-sex-abuse-case/

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  5. Mr. Isaac was not hired to work full time. He will be back in the fall.

    Are you referring to the David Anderson case that Luke Brownfield prosecuted? That was under the last administration. Mr. Isaac did not work at the DA's office then.

    Paul Mann did a good job in the article from just attending the closing arguments.


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  6. No David Anderson was a plea bargain, that ocurred under Paul, you are right about that. There was another case. Went to trial in January. Luke Brownfield prosecuted. NG on everything. Late January, to early February. Brownfield left shortly thereafter to go work for the PDs office.

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  7. Anon are you talking about the Colby case? I covered that case and verdict. Luke Brownfield prosecuted that case and Kaleb Cockrum represented the defendant.

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  8. Yes, so 2 CAST cases to trial. Two NG verdicts. Problems in CASTland!

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    Replies
    1. Anon, two cases make trouble in CASTland? Need more than that before you claim the sky is falling. I will be keeping an eye on results. Intetesting that both cases you mention had foster children versus defendants that juries may sympathize with more. There is also the CWS/DHSS factor. You may or may not be onto something. There maybe feedback from the community to the office regarding the Kufner case.
      Let's compare the CAST record and plea deals from Paul's reign after 12 years to Maggie's track record. You seem to want to tie two CAST cases to the current DA administration and leave out facts like Luke Brownfield was a Paul hire and he left within a couple of months this year, of his own volition.
      What those two cases do indicate is that maybe feedback to the current DA's office on improvements is needed and I know in the Kufner case, the community may just do that, some have expressed that to me.

      Delete

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