On The Record
  

The Monthly Newsletter from

San Diego County District Attorney

Bonnie Dumanis

 

September 2011

Bonnie smiling

DA Participates in Human Trafficking Film Premiere   

 

A powerful Hollywood film about human trafficking had its San Diego primiere last month and local law enforcement used the opportunity to educate the public about the issue. The movie sheds light on the brutal but often unnoticed reality of sex trafficking. 

 

The San Diego Regional Human Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children Advisory Council hosted the special screening, at which San Diego County Supervisor Dianne Jacob and District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis spoke about the effects of this type of crime.

 

After the film premiere, Deputy District Attorney Gretchen Means of the Sex Crimes and Stalking Unit, participated in a panel discussion about human trafficking in San Diego.

 

The film centers on Kathy, (Academy Award winner Rachel Weisz) an American police officer whouncovers an extensive United Nations cover-up of a sex trafficking scandal.  

 

Whistleblower Film Invite 

DA's Juvenile Division Goes Digital, Saves Time & Paper

 

A new digital system in the District Attorney's Juvenile Division is allowing the entire court process to play out electronically, which saves time, effort and paper.   

Gavel  

The new system for managing case files is called JELS (Justice Electronic Library System). It allows Deputy District Attorneys, Deputy Public Defenders and County Probation Officers to manage juvenile case files electronically from the court room and to share documents in a secure environment.

 

"We're always looking for ways to leverage technology and improve efficiency," DA Dumanis said. "The JELS project in our Juvenile Branch streamlines case work, is estimated to save up to one million pieces of paper and makes the court process more efficient."  

  

Prior to going paperless, DDA's would have to physically carry between 25 to 30 case files into the courtroom.  The Juvenile Division of the District Attorney's Office worked closely with the County Information and Technology group in developing and piloting the digital system.     

 

"This was a monumental team effort by our Juvenile Division and our County Information Technology group," DA Dumanis said. 

Convictions in Murder of Alpine Grandmother

The District Attorney's Office convicted two men of first-degree murder in a case where the defendants killed and robbed 73-year-old Eunice Cothron, the grandmother of one of defendants. 

Brandon Hayes and Jeffrey Reed
Brandon Hayes, 29 (Left) and Jeffrey Reed, 22 were both convicted of first-degree murder.  Photo by NBC

Brandon Hayes, 29, and Jeffrey Reed, 22 were both convicted by separate juries of first-degree murder with special circumstances of murder during the commission of robbery and burglary.

 

"The District Attorney's Family Protection Division and Deputy District Attorney Kurt Mechals in particular, are to be commended for their dedication to pursuing justice in this difficult case," said DA Dumanis.

 

In May 2009, Cothron filed a restraining order against Hayes, her grandson, after she suspected he had been stealing from her. About four weeks later, Hayes and Reed forced their way into Cothron's home, killed, robbed and stole her car then spent the money on partying and drugs in Mexico.

 

YWCA Public Service Announcement

District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis is one of several high-profile women who are part of a new public service campaign for the YWCA. 


District Attorney Reaches Out to Tribes, Students & Parents

   

As part of the District Attorney's ongoing effort to provide public outreach to the community, several presentations were made around the county in recent months on various public safety topics.

Jesse Navarro
Community Relations Officer Jesse Navarro

 

Community Relations Officer, Jesse Navarro, along with local law enforcement representatives participated in panel discussions at tribal reservations including a recent presentation about the juvenile justice system at the Barona Indian Reservation.

 

"Our office has made it a priority to develop important relationships with our tribal partners and in many areas of the community,"  DA Dumanis said. "These presentations educate the public about the criminal justice system and lead to positive interaction with law enforcement." 

 

Other topics from past presentations include identity theft, consumer protection and domestic violence. Presentations scheduled for this month include several talks to school children and their parents about Internet safety, domestic violence and juvenile justice.

 
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DA CRIMINAL

CASE FILES 

   

Philong Huynh, 41, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for supplying an already intoxicated man, Dane Williams, 23 with drugs, and killing him during a sexual assault. 

   

Danny Vinci, 44, was sentenced to 17 years in state prison for dousing his estranged girlfriend with gasoline while she waited for her granddaughter to come out of dance class.  

    

John Richard Martinez, 42, was sentenced to 62 years-to-life in state prison for robbing a USA Payday Advance in Mira Mesa and US Bank branch in Point Loma.The "Dapper Bandit" earned his nickname from the stylish hat, sport coat and dress slacks he wore during at least one holdup.

  

James Lionel Carter, 37, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for who killing two bystanders and wounding a 7-year-old boy when he opened fire on rivals in 2003 to avenge the slaying of a close friend.  

 

Eric Anthony Pomatto, 27, was sentenced to 34 years-to-life in state prison for leading the police on a chase through Escondido in a stolen car, firing at officers, bystanders and a sheriff's helicopter.       

 

 

 

 

 



The Employees of the San Diego District Attorney, in partnership with the Community we serve, are dedicated to the pursuit of truth, justice and protection of the innocent, and the prevention of crime through the vigorous and professional prosecution of those who violate the law.
 
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