Voice of OC (https://voiceofoc.org/tag/larry-yellin/)
In his ruling, Goethals wrote the “serious misconduct” of former Orange County District Attorney prosecutor Michael Murray and his team was so egregious Wilkins must instead be tried for second degree murder.
Superior Court Judge Thomas M. Goethals said two former DA prosecutors, who are now judges, engaged in “serious misconduct” in a murder case. But he stopped short of barring the entire office as he did in the jailhouse snitch case.
Two prosecutors from the Orange County District Attorney’s office are running for Superior Court judgeships, aiming to take the bench alongside judges who’ve called them out for misconduct in the jailhouse informants scandal.
County Supervisor Shawn Nelson, who surprised many in February by filing paperwork to run for a Superior Court judgeship, is no longer a candidate in the June primary.
Supervisor Shawn Nelson filed papers this week to run for a Superior Court judgeship. If he wins, he would leave the county Board of Supervisors with two years left on his term. He’s going up against a senior prosecutor who led the county prosecutors’ union and a defense attorney.
A scathing decision by an administrative law judge could cost the county millions and affect ongoing contract talks with sheriff’s deputies.
Assistant district attorneys, public defenders and lawyers in the county counsel’s office say they deserve a 3.5 percent raise. County CEO Tom Mauk says they’re crazy.