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California Stops Grand Jury Abuse In Killer Cop Cases [Picture] Bill Barring Grand Juries in Use-of-Force Cases Clears Cali Assembly
Legislation that would prohibit California from turning to grand juries after police officers use lethal force squeaked out of the California Assembly on a 41-33 vote Thursday.
One of several California police violence-related bills, prompted by a spate of nationally watched slayings, Senate Bill 227 reflected a rising distrust of the grand jury process after it failed to yield charges against the officers who killed Eric Garner in Staten Island and Michael Brown in Missouri. Among the bill’s supporters was the state organization representing public defenders.
“The public has a right to know that such a grave allegation is taken seriously and is investigated thoroughly,” said Assemblyman Bill Quirk, D-Hayward, arguing that the grand jury process is too secretive and weakened by different rules for evidence and cross-examination. “SB 227 is a step toward restoring faith in our system of justice.”SOURCE
