Fox News reports that the victim of a shocking, intentional hit-and-run has slammed pro-crime Democrat Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon for doubling down on the slap-on-the-wrist sentence given to the teen driver who mowed down a mom and her infant as the two were walking down a Venice alleyway last summer.
The driver, now 17, received a sentence of five to seven months in a juvenile probation camp, which authorities say is “less than a military school and a little bit tougher than a summer camp.” Gascon’s office described the punishment as “an appropriate resolution” Friday.
The victim, identified only by her first name Rachel, told Fox News Digital in a blistering rebuttal that the charges “were very short of fair”:
Not only did you not charge attempted murder that is provable by the driving pattern, you didn’t charge assault with a deadly weapon with a car because it would be a strike on the minor’s record. Under your policies minors cannot receive charges that result in a strike offense. This is how you ensure that their records can be wiped clean when they turn 18. I guess that’s the magical number when people become decent human beings and contributing members of society. Anything before that apparently doesn’t matter.
“George is trying to explain his way out of not doing his job. It’s not working,” said Jonathan Hatami, a deputy district attorney. “The appropriate charges should have been two counts of PC 245(a)(1) Felony Assault with a Deadly Weapon to wit Automobile, one count of felony hit-and-run, and one count of felony unlawful taking of vehicle.”
“Contrary to what some have claimed, it is not ‘attempted murder’ under [California] law,” Gascon said. “To charge that offense, our office would have to be able to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, the minor specifically intended to kill the victims. There was no evidence of that.” He also called reporting on his handling of the case “misinformation.”
Rachel responded by noting, “Gascon, you are right, there is misinformation being circulated and perpetuated by your office about the incident where my 8-month-old son and I were almost murdered by a felon. The minor was charged with the most serious offenses possible under your murderer-friendly policies. These policies are not California law.”
“Any competent prosecutor could prove attempted murder in this case. There’s a video, eyewitnesses testimony, and victims statements,” tweeted Shea Sanna, another deputy district attorney. “Plus anyone with common sense knows intentionally accelerating a car into a mother and 8-month-old baby is likely to kill them.”