Posted on 11/30/2020 10:52:07 PM PST by nickcarraway
A 21-year old Santa Cruz man who was 15 when he allegedly raped and murdered an 8-year-old girl could go free when he turns 25 depending on the outcome of the state supreme court hearing on the constitutionality of SB 1391.
“If not Adrian AJ Gonzalez who brutally raped and murdered my beloved 8-year old Maddy will be free to walk in the streets in five years. How is that justice and how does that keep the public safe?” said Laura Jordan the mother of Maddy Middleton who Gonzalez is accused of murdering.
Gonzalez allegedly committed the horrific crime in 2015 and was ordered to stand trial as an adult. But four years later SB 1391 went into effect which prevented anyone under 16 from being tried as adults.
“No matter what they've done now in the past, in the future, can never be tried as an adult under any circumstance. It is one size fits all legislation and it is unconstitutional and it is just practically ridiculous,” said Santa Cruz County district attorney, Jeff Rosell.
On Tuesday lawyers will argue before the state supreme court on the constitutionality of the law. Some argue it's unconstitutional because it overrides the will of the voters who passed Proposition 57 allowing judges not prosecutors to decide whether minors, including 14 and 15-year olds, should be tried as adults.
“We believe that the California juvenile system, as it stands today, cannot deal with a person such as Adrian Gonzalez we feel that he has to remain in the adult system in order to take care of him. He is not an innocent child that should be coming out when he's 25 years old,” said Dan Middleton, Maddy’s grandfather.
But supporters of SB 1391 argue that prosecutors are politicizing the law and they say juvenile offenders no matter how egregious the crime they allegedly commit should remain in juvenile court where they qualify for release at age 25.
“It should be constitutional. We make distinctions between childhood and adulthood in virtually every other aspect of our laws. It should not be any different in terms of even of criminal laws, even kids that commit horrific acts,” said Daniel Macallair, executive director of Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice.
As for Adrian Gonzalez, he has yet to go on trial five years after he allegedly murdered Maddy. The supreme court is expected to hand down a ruling on the constitutionality of SB 1391 in 90 days.
And that ruling will help determine whether Gonzalez remains in the adult court system or is transferred to the juvenile court system. ###
He will spend his days until he is 25 learning from others on how not to leave any traces at the scenes of his next crimes. They all watch “Forensic Files” and “Forensic Files II.”
They do?
Yes, I have heard interviews where they purposely wore protective gear so as to not leave anything at their crime scenes. One guy said FF was one of his favorite shows.
One guy said FF was one of his favorite shows.
It's definitely one of my favorite.
Occasionally, on FF they mention investigators or forensic techs have solved a crime inspired by FF
I have to say, one thing I've learned watching FF, and shows like it, is no matter how much you try to commit the perfect crime, you can still be caught. The people who get away with it do it by luck. Some of the most "conscientious' (At least as far as their criminal activity) criminals still get caught.
Not that I was tempted to kill someone anyway, but I realize, now matter how smart I was, or how much I had studied FF, I might get caught just as easily as the stupid criminals.
So very true. There is never the perfect crime.
The guy has been found guilty in a court if law and still there press types use “allegedly”.
;-/
She must have been sleeping for the last 10 months if she thinks Democrats in the California government have any interest in keeping its citizens safe.
They are much more interested in getting convicted felons out of jail so that they can vote.
Actually, he has never been to trial. Even though it was 5 years ago to this day there is never been a trial. I wonder if his lawyer could complain about his client being held without a speedy trial.
Only if he asked for a speedy trial.
Most defense attorneys work hard to delay, delay, delay. It is usually to the advantage of the defense to delay.
Witnesses move. Witnesses forget. Evidence gets lost or spoiled. The case becomes stale, outrage wanes...
Well, I would at least be willing to listen to that plea, as nauseating as it might be.
But as Pontiac accurately pointed out, the rights of citizens to be protected by their elected government is not a priority in California.
Maddy Middleton was lured, raped and killed, authorities say
Simple. Be waiting for him when he walks out of prison.
Wow, that’s crazy. And I bet his lawyers intentionally created many of the delays, so probably not.
California’s ‘No Fault’ LEGISLATE via Popular MobVote Ranked-Choice Policy Works!!
For criminals only.
Citizens need not expect any breaks.. ever.
Reconquista Lives!!
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