From: name deleted**
To: sjipsen@aol.com
Sent: Sat, 24 May 2008 11:22 am
Subject: Secret Stipulation Involving DA and Courts
I am writing to expose a great injustice involving the Los Angeles Superior Court, the DA's Office and the intentional betrayal of Jessica's Law. I never wanted to have to write this letter, but as a mental health professional involved in the system, I can no longer remain silent.
With the passage of Jessica's Law, the worst and most dangerous sexual offenders were required to serve a life term in a mental health facility. This changed the law from what had been a 2 year committment to a life committment. This change was approved by the voters.
Despite this law, the DA's office, the Public Defender's Office, and Judge Wesley entered into a secret stipulation whereby the DA would agree to continue to seek only a 2 year term (not a life term as required). The apparent purpose in doing this was that it allowed the DA to under-staff the sex crimes unit because with a secret promise of a 2 year term, the PD's office would not rush anything to trial and the DA could put resources elsewhere.
The result is that the voter intent has been completely ignored, the law has been and continues to be violated, and violent rapists and child molesters are being set free. The public has been endangered as a reult of this unlawful, secret agreement.
I have testified throughout the state and no other county in the state has done what LA is doing. What's more, numerous cases have made it clear that the life sentence is the law and the 2 year sentence is no longer the law. Additionally, the Attorney General's Office has specifically stated that LA is violating the law.
Only recently, has this stipulation come to light. Some judges are beginning to refuse to follow the stipulation because they know it violates the law (cases: Shields, Borquez, McKee, Carroll, Johnson). However, when a judge refuses to follow the stipulation, the presiding judge simply sends the case to a judge that will follow it. Despite these weak but growing protests, the DA's office continues to seek only a 2 year term.
What I have written here is the truth. I will not respond to any emails and I will not be available for any follow-up questions. To verify what I have written, contact the presiding judge, the DA's office, the DA sex crimes unit, the PD's office, the AG's office, and mental health experts involved in this field. The stipulation exists as an actual written document signed by the relevant parties. No one will want to admit it--the judges look bad, the DA looks bad, and the PDs enjoy the benefit of having their child molester clients set free. But they will have to admit to the stipulation. Demand a copy of the stipulation.
I have written this only because I feel it is the right thing to do. The law is the law and in a democratic state, there must be transparency. There is no place for secret agreements based on budget and political concerns, as opposed to the safety of the public.
I ask that you never disclose my name, where I work, this email, or how you came across this information. I have written at great risk to my career. Please do your own investigation and you will see that I have spoken the truth. And please act fast. Each day, violent, sadistic child rapists are at risk of being set free based on this unlawful, secret agreement.
**No change was made to the email except for taking out the name to protect the person from political retribution.
