Brown vetoes bill that would’ve cracked down on AB 109 parolees

KFI:

Over the weekend Governor Jerry Brown vetoed a bill written in response to the murder of Whittier police officer Keith Boyer, because he said it was too reminiscent of the former three-strikes law.

The bill, which was written by Assemblyman Ian Calderon (D-Whittier), would have required jail time for probationers who violate the terms of their supervision at least three times.

Michael Mejia, the creep who killed Officer Keith Boyer, cycled in and out of county jail in the months before the shooting and repeatedly violated the terms of his probation.

He was on probation on February 20th, when he crashed a stolen car and got in a shootout with Boyer and Officer Patrick Hazell, who survived.

Brown said in his veto message:

“I do not agree with a three-strikes-and-you’re-out approach is the correct solution. This would undermine the sound discretion of local probation authorities, who by training and sworn responsibility, are in the best position to make determinations on what types of sanctions or punishment should be imposed.”

“Three strikes” refers to Prop 184, which California voters overwhelmingly approved back in 1994. Under the proposition, a third conviction often meant 25 years to life.

Three-strikes was great, but then in 2012 voters approved changes in the law to allow for lighter sentences if the third conviction was for a less serious or nonviolent felony.

Calderon’s bill, AB 1408, would have also required the Board of Parole Hearings to take into account inmates’ entire criminal history, instead of just looking at the most recent offense.  read more