Crime Victims’ Families Speak Up for Gascón Recall

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Fox News Primetime host Lawrence Jones interviewed family members of crime victims about the recall of Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón; reporter Talia Kaplan wrote an article this morning for Fox News summarizing the interviews. The common opinion among the families of the victims is Gascón is prioritizing criminals over the victims they harm. 

Los Angeles County Sgt. Steven Owen was brutally murdered on the scene of a burglary he responded to a call for. Sgt. Owen’s wife and mother share the sentiment that he deserves justice. Tania Owen, the wife, was a law enforcement officer alongside Sgt. Owen, she stated, “I have always believed in the justice system, but with my husband not only murdered…executed, this new district attorney has turned justice system that does work completely upside down.” Millie Owen, Sgt. Owen’s mother expressed feeling as though a re-violation is occurring to her and her family as a result of Gascón’s policies. “We were robbed, robbed of her husband, robbed of a dad, robbed of my son and then for this attorney to do this, it’s just like robbery all over again”, said by Millie in the interview with Lawrence Jones.  

Desiree Andrade, the mother of Julian Andrade stated, “The day I found out what he [Gascón] was doing, I felt it was a slap in the face”. Desiree explained that when she found out that due to Gascón’s policy changes the special circumstance charges against the three men who murdered her son were dismissed she felt sick. Julian was 20 years old when he was beaten, stabbed, and thrown off a cliff. 

These are only two of the many stories shared by families of crime victims who seek justice for the loss of their loves ones, and safety for their community. Jones also interviewed Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney Jon Hatami, he explained that criminals are supporters of Gascón. When Jones asked Hatami if he could tell the people of L.A. they are safe, he responded, “I can’t now”. Hatami has been clear he does not support many of the policy changes that have been made by Gascón since December. Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert was also interviewed by Jones, she stated, “Within really minutes of him being sworn in, he adopted a number of policies that really are the wholesale abandonment of crime victim’s rights”. Tulare County District Attorney Tim Ward told Jones, “These directives are dangerous, not only to L.A., but for this state and this nation.”

There seems to be a shared opinion among those who put the victims of crime before their perpetrators, and that is Gascón does not share in those values, and should be recalled. Taking the options of the death penalty and life without parole off the table is unnecessary and violates California’s Constitution. Additionally, this policy override puts Los Angeles residents at a greater chance of harm and sends the message to offenders they can engage in any level of criminal activity and still get another chance to be a member of society. This should not be the blanket policy for all offenders, especially those who commit violent crimes and seek to harm those who protect our communities.