L.A. judge calls deputy's behavior 'unprofessional and inexcusable'

As prospective jurors milled about in a court hallway recently to see if they were going to serve on a gang case, a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy assigned to the courtroom apparently had no qualms sharing his views of the defendant.

"You can look at him and just see he's guilty," one juror heard him say. The deputy suggested the case was a waste of time, another juror said. "I don't know why we're here anyway," the second juror quoted the deputy as saying. "He's guilty."

The deputy, the juror added, also had some advice for the assembled group: Try to get out of jury service. The two jurors reported what they had heard to the judge overseeing the case, prompting her to excuse the entire panel of jurors and triggering an internal affairs investigation into the deputy's conduct.

Superior Court Judge Elaine Lu described the deputy's behavior as "unprofessional and inexcusable" as she dismissed the jury panel, according to a transcript of the Jan. 26 hearing.

Read more: "Deputy's comments on gang case taint jury panel, sparking investigation."

-- Jack Leonard

Comments

[Steve Hofbauer]

Unfortunately, we dont have the same ability to hammer some of these idiot and arrogant judges!

[KMA966]

Does anyone honestly think that Moonbeam Baca is going to punish this Deputy? Come on - Deputies can beat each other up in drunken brawls and not face any real disclipine from this absentee Sheriff

[upwinger]

Now if you or I were a juror and behaved and talked this way our name would be in the paper but since the offender is a "public servant" sworn to uphold the law and working as an officer of the court, he gets a pass.

[Big Mike 42]

If this LASO deputy was stupid enough to say something so ridiculous, he should be gone. Let's see what Sheriff Moonbeam Baca does.

[u know]

Dummy!

Obviously the gang banger is guilty...obviously it's a waste of time....obviously jury duty sucks

This deputy should know better than to state the truth!

[Tommy]

An unprofessional sheriff. What a shocker! LOL!!

If they fired every unprofessional sheriff, there might be 10% of them left!!

[Common sense]

I think a broader question here is whether our system of live jury proceedings makes any sense at all - it is totally susceptible to subjective evaluation (e.g., "You can look at him and just see he's guilty..."). I would much prefer jurors read transcripts of the trial so that decisions are made entirely and only on the facts and circumstances of the case, and not how a witness is dressed.

The other important requirement I would insist on is that jurors have some basic level of education (e.g., some college at least). The analytical capabilities of the average juror is just appalling.

[RwH]

Sometimes, the truth hurts.

[Me No Speak English]

Seeing is just believing, and it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see the guy was a low-life evil gangster. Until anybody ever walk into some of the victims shoes will you understand the deputies distaste for these gangsters that parade into our courtrooms to get sympathy for their evil crimes. I hope they convict that low-life, and send him to prison for the rest of his natural life, "Plan and Simple!!"

[Borchy]

Just fire the scumbag and take away his grossly over paid pension!!!! This guy is just the tip of the iceburg!! Trust me there are HUNDREDS more just like him in LA

[Anti-Coercion]

Would anyone reading this want to be before a jury of people that are COERCED AND THREATENED into serving on one? THAT is what jury service is all about!
While the deputy mouthed off at the wrong time, one SHOULD "try to get out of jury duty" considering the COERCION with which potential jurors are selected!
Its a violation of your 13th Amendment right against INVOLUNTARY SERVITUDE, and a violation of a criminal defendant's right 6th Amendment right to an "impartial jury"! REFORM THIS PROCESS! Require ALL VOLUNTEER JURIES, and start paying those serving a "living wage"!

[antino]

hello...(:

[Dre]

I understand why he did it but he should have known better.