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Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer
Office of OC District Attorney-Public Administrator Todd Spitzer. NO PUBLIC COMMENTS ALLOWED ON THIS
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the Orange County District Attorney's office is here to spread the word. Did you know that 1 in 8 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime? We want to ensure that Orange County has the resources to fight breast cancer and to support those who are affected. Visit www.cityofhope.org/oc/breast-cancer for information about prevention, detection, and treatment options available through our community partners. Let’s work together to raise awareness and beat cancer.
A controversial $0 bail policy went into effect in Los Angeles County yesterday, ending a policy of setting cash bail amounts for defendants commensurate with the severity of the crime they are accused of committing. ![]()
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"This zero-bail schedule is just another policy that leaves us less safe than we should be," Whittier Mayor Joe Vinatieri said in a statement announcing a lawsuit filed by 12 cities in Los Angeles County on Friday challenging $0 bail.![]()
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Mayor Vinatieri is right.![]()
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We already know what is going to happen – because we lived through $0 bail during the COVID-19 pandemic when the Judicial Council implemented Emergency Rule 4, setting $0 bail for all crimes committed across California except 13 categories of serious and violent crimes. ![]()
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The District Attorney’s Office kept statistics in order to understand the impact of these court orders. Orange County inmates released early before serving their full sentence or on $0 bail went out and committed new crimes at rates at nearly triple normal recidivism rates: 44% for early release inmates and 38% for $0 bail defendants.![]()
A sample of their crimes: auto theft, burglary, robbery, assault, weapons, theft and narcotics.![]()
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And a 23-year-old man who stabbed his 17-year-old ex-girlfriend four times, killing her. He had been released on $0 bail 3 ½ weeks earlier.![]()
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These are not just new crimes. These are new victims.![]()
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2020 was not the time for social experiments like $0 bail. Neither is 2023. ![]()
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Read Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer’s op-ed from May 2020 warning of the dangers of $0 bail: www.ocregister.com/2020/05/16/now-is-not-the-time-for-social-justice-experiments-like-0-bail-todd...![]()
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Man Sentenced to Life Without the Possibility of Parole for 2018 New Year’s Day Murder of 76-year-old Former Soul Singer in Santa Ana![]()
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Full Press Release: bit.ly/3rDbtwb![]()
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SANTA ANA, Calif. – A homeless man was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole Thursday for the special circumstance murder of a 76-year-old former soul singer who was sleeping in a Santa Ana strip mall when she was killed on New Year’s Day in 2018. ![]()
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Betty Jane Willis, who recorded songs that included "Someday You'll Need My Love," ''Act Naturally" and "Take My Heart" in the 1960s, had worked with a number of prominent musicians, including Bill Medley of the Righteous Brothers and pianist and songwriter Leon Russell. After retiring from the Santa Ana post office following her singing career, Willis became homeless and was living on the streets of Santa Ana. ![]()
It took a jury an hour to find Rosendo Xo Pec, 28, guilty of one count of first-degree murder with the special circumstance allegation of attempted rape.![]()
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In the early morning hours of New Year’s Day in 2018, Santa Ana police responded to a 911 call that reported a woman who was yelling for help. When police arrived at a strip mall in the 1600 block of W. 1st Street, they found Pec hiding and then running away from Willis, who was lying on the ground. ![]()
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Pec attempted to sexually assault the victim while she was sleeping and then punched and strangled her. ![]()
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“This woman had the voice of an absolute angel and it is a travesty that her voice was forever silenced in such a brutal way,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. “No one should have to suffer the indignity and disrespect she suffered in her final moments. I’m thankful the jury quickly and decisively determined that this individual was guilty of this horrific murder and that he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.”![]()
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Deputy District Attorney Anna McIntire of the Homicide Unit prosecuted this case.
I am saddened to learn of the passing of U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein who devoted her life to public service, shattering glass ceilings every step of the way. Her dedication to represent Californians was unrivaled in her civic duty, admirably serving with grace, grit and resolve. A force to be reckoned with, she was many things to many people. She was influential in helping me receive the George R. Moscone Scholarship at the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco, named in honor of San Francisco Mayor George Moscone to promote his ideals of public service. Moscone was assassinated along with San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk in 1978. Senator Feinstein’s efforts not only provided me with full tuition for my law school education, but played a significant role in propelling my own career in public service. Senator Feinstein was a true stateswoman and a constant reminder to us that public service can bring about positive change no matter what side of the political aisle you are on and even under the most challenging circumstances.
Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon told NBC4’s Alex Rozier he didn’t bother to ask the family of murdered Los Angeles County Deputy Sheriff Ryan Clinkunbroomer how they want their son’s executioner punished. He didn’t ask because he didn’t care. He already decided that life without the possibility of parole was good enough for a cop killer. And his statement that LWOP is the maximum sentence available under the law is a lie. He didn’t bother to talk to the victims - and then he lied to them on national television. Gascon also said the deputy’s assassin - if convicted - will die in prison. That’s also a lie. Gascon knows full well there is a concerted effort by the state Legislature to get rid of LWOP. He’s repeatedly said he doesn’t believe anyone should spend more than 20 years in custody - no matter the crime they committed. Gascon doesn’t want Deputy Clinkunbroomer’s murderer to die in prison. He wants a cop killer to get another chance at life.![]()
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But Deputy Clinkunbroomer will never get a second chance at life. Like Gascon said, nothing will bring Ryan back. And that is the biggest tragedy of all.![]()
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Alex Rozier
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