California failed to provide vital protection against unlawful sentences


For 32 years, the abduction and murder of 6-year-old Willie Cook remains a mystery.

Then, in 2008, Sheriff’s deputies in Sishu County received their first big break: a man appeared to say that he had witnessed the abduction. Steve Marshall was only 10 years old when Willie disappeared, but his memory for this August day remained bright.

So bright, in fact, that the District Prosecutor’s Office has built his case around his testimony, accusing a local man of murder.

However, deep inside the file raises evidence that would question Marshal’s testimony. Would you find it?

To find out, read A fascinating story about the cold case By a CalMatters investigating reporter reporter Aante rubyS

History is part of a series that explores how poor people accused of crime in California are routinely convicted in California without anyone investigating the allegations against them.

Defense investigators are probably the most important protection against unlawful sentences. But, as Rubin has found, nearly half of 58 California counts do not hire any full -time public protection investigators.

Among the findings of her investigation:

  • Of the 10 counties in California with the highest levels of imprisonment, eight have no investigative defense of staff.
  • In Riverside, for example, the District Attorney has 30% more lawyers than the public defender, but 500% more investigators.
  • Hidden in the data is the largest tragedy of the inability to investigate the cases: unlawful sentences.

Maurice Psley, a leading expert in charge, said the failure of the investigation is at the heart of most cases he examines. He is amazed at what he finds when he looks at the evidence.

  • Possley: “If anyone had just made an effort. All this was sitting there.”

For more information, read Rubin Complete history of the mystery of Cisiuand look at our Seven key assumesS

About the Protocol: Yesterday’s newsletter is the size of the state budget deficit. That’s $ 12 billion.

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