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Back to Orange County Line

Orange County Line

California appeals court rebukes OCDA, Kamala

Justices say and an OC judge's removal of the DA's office from death-penalty case is justified.

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By Gustavo Arellano • Nov 29, 2016 • 4m Listen

Last week, a state appellate court rejected the arguments of the Orange County District Attorney's office and California Attorney General Kamala Harris that the AG shouldn't take over the controversial death-penalty case of Seal Beach mass shooter Scott Dekraii. Last year, Orange County Superior Court Judge Thomas Goethals removed the OCDA from the Dekraii case after evidence emerged that Tony Rackaukas' office had for decades withheld from defense attorneys secret logs kept by Orange County Sheriff's deputies. Rackauckas and Harris argued that Goethals was wrong, but the appellate justices disagreed, writing in their opinion that "the magnitude of the systemic problems cannot be overlooked." It's the most high profile loss yet for Rackaukas, whose office's so-called snitch scandal has earned national attention. What's next for the Dekraii case?

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Gustavo Arellano

    columnist, LA Times

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    Benjamin Gottlieb

    Reporter, Fill-in Host

    CultureNewsOrange County
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