DA not to blame for crime

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/406/story/31...

I like this especially:

The District Attorney's office and the rest of the court system do address the problems head-on and have been doing that for years. A prosecutor's office is only as good as the cases brought in by the police. An arrest can be made simply on probable cause, but a conviction can't take place unless it can be proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the suspect committed the crime. That means that the police cannot just arrest people, they must investigate every case and uncover all the evidence. """"_The notion that police are doing their jobs just because an arrest is made is dead wrong. """"" """..........

So now the DA's office is blaming the police. If I were them I would confront Gilchrest and others..........

9. Peter Gilchrist

Perhaps it's not fair to lump Mecklenburg County District Attorney Peter Gilchrist in as one of Charlotte's scariest folks. Surely, it's to be expected that he cannot comment on a pending case -- a good thing for his self-interest, certainly, considering there's little he could say in defense of why a man with more than 30 arrests in 10 years was on the streets to rape a 12-year-old girl last month. It's an interesting lapse of the criminal justice system: People who've lived in Charlotte for decades might remember Gilchrist as the local official who prosecuted -- some would say persecuted -- adult bookstores so assiduously. Sure, that was a different time and place, but looking back over the news clips one might find it odd that Charlotte's lead prosecutor was able to find such time to police Debbie Does Dallas in 1998, but unable to keep a child rapist off the streets in 2008.
http://charlotte.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase...

Norm; Not Exception
October 10, 2008 | 06:37 PM

The case of Marcus Maurice Kennedy, that is. Kennedy, 28, was arrested and charged this week with the kidnapping and rape of a 12-year-old girl who was waiting for her school bus. That he was even roaming the streets is sad testament to the state of our local criminal justice system.

Kennedy has been arrested more than 30 times on charges that range from assault and felony drug possession, to taking indecent liberties with a child, yet has spent only minimal time behind bars. He was slapped with probation for the indecent liberties crime; had a possession of cocaine charge disappear; was sentenced to jail for failing to register as a sex offender and did a quick jolt. He was released in February.

For any legitimate criminal justice system, a history like Kennedy's would be the exception; for Charlotte-Mecklenburg it is the norm. We've written about multiple-repeat violent offenders so many times that we've nearly run out of ink. So have others. WBT's Tara Servatius pounds her head against the wall nearly every night, as she recites a litany of cases where hardcore thugs are cycled through the system. At MeckDeck.com , Jeff Taylor's computer must burn through five hard-drives a week tracking the criminal histories of the latest repeat offenders nabbed committing yet another crime. Read crimeincharlotte.com and you'll have trouble sleeping at night.

But it's nothing new.

About 10, maybe 12 years ago, The Observer published a scathing series of articles about the horrendous state of Charlotte's criminal justice system, highlighted by case after case of repeat offenders who had been pushed through the system's revolving door. Politicos and bureaucrats of all stripes were quoted gnashing teeth, demanding reform and promising change. One of the pack was District Attorney Peter Gilchrist, who poor mouthed his position and lamented about the lack of resources his office had to get the job done.

Sound familiar? It should. Gilchrist, despite receiving increases to staff over the years, is still using inadequate funding and lack of resources as a scapegoat that allows the likes of Marcus Maurice Kennedy to stroll through the system. Funding is part of the problem, to be sure, as the city, county and state have all spent tens of billions of dollars on World Class trinkets, while grossly neglecting law enforcement, courts, jails and prisons.

But funding alone is not the problem; that circles back to the man who has sat in the DA's Office for more than three decades and watched as the wall's have come tumbling down and monsters like Marcus Maurice Kennedy roam the streets. Or maybe it circles back even further.

Gilchrist, to the best of my knowledge, has never had an opponent challenge his elected office. That speaks at least in part to the apathy of the public at large and its reluctance to demand change. And what it says is not good.

http://charlotte.rhinotimes.com/Blog-7563.112...

Maybe he is not. But he refused to prosecute the burglar who broke into apartments in the fall of 2007. The police told us the they were arrested in Concord for another crime but the DA did not want to prosecute in Charlotte. I believe they got out.

The DA's office does not care about average people. These burglars stole a widescreen TV during the day. It seems the DAs office did not care.

Joe wrote:

Maybe he is not. But he refused to prosecute the burglar who broke into apartments in the fall of 2007. The police told us the they were arrested in Concord for another crime but the DA did not want to prosecute in Charlotte. I believe they got out.
The DA's office does not care about average people. These burglars stole a widescreen TV during the day. It seems the DAs office did not care.

Oh I agree l00% with you. I started this thread to try to show people how they(The Prosecutors) do disregard the average person. Maybe I didn't read on the last post well but it didn't look good for Gilchrest and his people. I think while they are cleaning house they should realize that the Prosecutions office is for themselves and some of the lawyers that do as they are told by the DA's office. This is what I wanted to put out there.

Joe wrote:

Maybe he is not. But he refused to prosecute the burglar who broke into apartments in the fall of 2007. The police told us the they were arrested in Concord for another crime but the DA did not want to prosecute in Charlotte. I believe they got out.
The DA's office does not care about average people. These burglars stole a widescreen TV during the day. It seems the DAs office did not care.

Observer forum: Letters to editor
Posted: Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008
In response to “DA not to blame for crime”(Nov. 12 Feedback):

‘DA not to blame'? I'm not buying it, Mr. Gilchrist

District Attorney Peter Gilchrist's tap dance of distraction, posturing and finger-pointing is unconvincing.

For three decades Gilchrist has presided over a well-documented revolving-door policy of plea deals and probation for criminal repeat-offenders.

This disgraceful record continues to endanger every law-abiding citizen of Mecklenburg County and can no longer be swept under the carpet.

Wayne Powers

Charlotte
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/opinion/stor...

The thing that bothers me the most is the fact that that punk with the 30 arrests was out to rape that little girl. He was out in what, 24 hours? It's shameful that this DA cares so little about his community that he lets these criminals back on the street.

To the last paragraph in your last post, if nobody runs against him how can we vote for change? Seems to me someone qualified needs to grow some testicles and stand up to this man who has a monopoly on the DA's office. WHY won't anyone run against him? There are qualified people out there.....

I'm tired of watching the circle of going to jail and getting out 24 hours or LESS later. I know about the conflict with our new police chief, but I have hopes that he will do something. He IS getting out there in the neighborhoods and having meetings with the public to hear what the people want/need done. It's a lot more than the last chief did and he DID have the stupid degree. Someone has to take a stand and it seems he has.

NcRN wrote:

The thing that bothers me the most is the fact that that punk with the 30 arrests was out to rape that little girl. He was out in what, 24 hours? It's shameful that this DA cares so little about his community that he lets these criminals back on the street.
To the last paragraph in your last post, if nobody runs against him how can we vote for change? Seems to me someone qualified needs to grow some testicles and stand up to this man who has a monopoly on the DA's office. WHY won't anyone run against him? There are qualified people out there.....
I'm tired of watching the circle of going to jail and getting out 24 hours or LESS later. I know about the conflict with our new police chief, but I have hopes that he will do something. He IS getting out there in the neighborhoods and having meetings with the public to hear what the people want/need done. It's a lot more than the last chief did and he DID have the stupid degree. Someone has to take a stand and it seems he has.

Yes, Rodney Monroe has taken a stand and has done more since he has been here and been visible to the public than Mr. Darrell Stephens was ever.What 8 years.
The Prosecutors pick the deals that they think will be big and easy. The average people!!!! The average person does not have a chance and is sent to prison and screwed by the lawyer playing games with the DA's and with their clients lives. They should find outh the lawyers that are getting kick backs from the prosecuter's office.....
I'm saying the Justice System of Charlotte , is not a fair system.!!!!!!!!!

Experts Concerned About Experience Of Newly Elected Judges
Wednesday, November 5, 2008 – updated: 7:03 am EST November 6, 2008

CHARLOTTE, N.C.-- Soon five new district judges will preside over courtrooms in Mecklenburg County.

The worry with some residents is there is going to be some on the job training, which could slow down the judicial process in the county and create a backlog of cases.

“In my 29th year, I've never seen anything like this.” George Laughrun is a longtime attorney in Charlotte.

Laughrun is nervous about all of the new judges elected last night and he says the local legal community is baffled.

“We lost a lot of judges with a lot of years of experience on the bench,” he said.

Theo Nixon was unseated by a candidate who never openly campaigned for the job and many say expressed no interest in the job.

15-year veteran Ben Thalheimer was beaten by Bill Belk but a few years ago Thalheimer handled Belk's divorce case.

“We're ecstatic, we're very pleased.” Natalie Bingham is with a court advocacy group who worked to oust some of the incumbents.

“We have a courthouse here that's supposed to be for the people. It has not been functioning for the people or for the best interest of families,” she said.

In fact, people on both sides admitted that in these nonpartisan races it came down to one thing -- change.

“If you're in power now or some position of authority then it’s time to sweep you out, a new regime and new day, change,” Bingham said.

No matter how you feel about the election, these judges will be up for re-election four years from now

http://www.wsoctv.com/politics/17912253/detai ...

And who's side will they be on. Will they be fair?? Is it worth the Money>? Why do they need this Crime CZAR . Who will they be watching? Will they make the Justice System Fair. Will they Make the Officers investigate everything to the end.
We know the Justice System is screwed up. We think Rodney Monroe is doing the job he was hired to do. So why do we need the CZAR. Is something going on we don't know about?? The North Carolina Statutes, are stricter than other states. Will the Czar affect any of that?? We need someone to be honest with us.!!!!!!!!!
Former Sheriff Says ‘Crime Czar’ Position Won’t Work
To comment on this story, e-mail Alan Cavanna.
Thursday, November 13, 2008 – updated: 6:15 pm EST November 13, 2008
CHARLOTTE, N.C.-- A former Mecklenburg County sheriff said Thursday the so-called "Crime Czar" position proposed by the county is flawed.
The position is touted as the first priority of the Justice and Public Safety Task Force.
County commissioners quickly mentioned former Sheriff Jim Pendergraph's name for the position, but he declined.
"With all the good intentions that the county manager has, and the county commission has, they can't delegate authority over a group of elected officials (such as the district attorney)," Pendergraph said.
He added that the position is "doomed to fail."
Shirley Fulton, a member of the task force, said she's confident the group will find a qualified candidate.
According the to official job listing, the position will pay close to $135,000 each year.
http://www.wsoctv.com/news/17975424/detail.ht...

Responsibilities/Qualification
This position will ensure coordination and effective communication between all municipal, County and State criminal justice agencies in Mecklenburg County. Primary attention will be given to increasing the operational efficiency of the Mecklenburg County criminal justice system. The Director must show a commitment to holding staff and partner organizations accountable for accomplishing aggressive goals. This includes overseeing the development of performance measures and targets and reporting performance results.
The successful candidate for this position must be able to quickly grasp detailed information and demonstrate an ability to effectively manage highly complex issues, many of which he/she will have no direct authority to implement without collaboration. Collaborative relationship building will be the key to success in this position. The position requires an energetic professional who is able to operate with significant independence, yet who is willing to accept direction and guidance from a participative government. He/she must have demonstrated superior oral and written communication skills, with the ability and willingness to communicate openly in a straightforward fashion to all parties. Experience managing and/or supervising a professional staff is required.
This position reports to the County Executive Team (County Manager and General Managers) and is accountable for proactively directing a County Department including its assets and resources. Responsibilities include: making recommendations to the Board through the County Manager; developing and implementing strategic initiatives; setting the tone, climate and vision for the department; ensuring compliance with statutory responsibilities and directives; and, providing for a multi-jurisdictional approach.
Bachelor's Degree in a related field and six years of progressively responsible management experience directly related to the area assigned or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
https://jobs89.co.mecklenburg.nc.us/psp/XTERN...

Some Officers, Victims Suspect Procedure Blurs Crime Numbers
Thursday, November 13, 2008 – updated: 6:43 pm EST November 13, 2008

CHARLOTTE, N.C.-- Brenda Davis recently found her car window had been broken out and someone had gone through her ashtray and glove compartment.

She and five others became victims of Charlotte's most common crime when someone broke into their cars outside the Greenville Neighborhood Center, where they were attending a family birthday party.

"After that, everybody else left. It just ruined the whole event, you know, because nobody really wanted to stay there," Davis said.

Before they left, Davis and the other victims called police, who came out to investigate. But instead of filling out six individual reports for each of the six victims, officers listed all of the cases on a single report.

"It just makes good sense to take one report based on the time, space and method those cars were broken into,” explained Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Rodney Monroe.

Monroe said it's a policy that's actually been in place for several years, but one that may have been overlooked by many officers until an internal e-mail went out to the 13 patrol divisions. The e-mail reminded them that uniform crime report guidelines allow them to include more than one incident on a single report if they happened at the same time and place and were likely committed by the same criminals.

For example, a report taken one month ago lists 12 car break-ins in one south Charlotte neighborhood, all counted as one case.

When Eyewitness News told Davis that officers did the same in her case, she wondered out loud if that's the right approach.

“Well, I don't think you can get an accurate idea of how many break-ins you got if you put six incidents on one report. It might have happened one night, but we were six individuals driving six different cars,” she said.

Eyewitness News reporters also spoke with officers at the CMPD who've said they've never put more than one case on a single report before, and wonder whether it’s intended to make crime statistics look better.

Monroe said that’s not the case.

“No, no, it has nothing to do with cleaning up the numbers,” he said.

Monroe said putting several cases on one report makes them easier to investigate, and it may be one reason that officers have been able to make arrests in almost one out of every four larceny cases this year -- a significant improvement over last year.

But it's also clear that not everyone in the department is on board yet.

“Do we have some officers who do not understand what the guidelines are? Yeah,” Monroe said.“Again, this is not a new phenomenon, but every now and again we have to remind our members what the procedures require us to do.”

http://www.wsoctv.com/news/17974141/detail.ht...

Chief Monroe on the Crime Czar

Posted: Nov 13, 2008 10:37 PM EST

Updated: Nov 13, 2008 11:20 PM EST

Chief Monroe on the Crime Czar







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Charlotte, NC (WBTV)- "If they need someone else in here to tell me how to do my job then they should have brought someone else in here." Chief Monroe told WBTV's Rob Tufano
It is fair to say Police Chief Rodney Monroe isn't big on the idea of the County hiring a Crime Czar to coordinate the criminal justice agencies in Mecklenburg.

"My initial thought is I was hired to do a job I don't need someone to tell me how to do it what to do and when to do it."

Another critic of the postion is former Mecklenburg County Sheriff Jim Pendergraph but for different reasons Pendergraph was the hands down the frontrunner for the gig until yesterday when the job description was released. Now the 32 year lawman wants no part of it. He is more or less saying the gig is useless because whoever takes the job virtually has no authority whatsoever to make the changes in the counties criminal justice system.

Pretty much at the mercy of the County Manager symbolism over substance according to critics who say the person who takes the gig will have very little opportunity to get anything done.

Supporters though couldn't disagree more and say Mecklenburg needs a leader to hold the DA's office and the Police Department and all other agencies accountable for meeting their goals to ensure public safety.

The rumor has been that the Police Chief and the DA haven't exactly seen eye to eye on a number of issues. Monore believes they're making considerable progress.

"I believe sometimes people talk about controversies but sometimes you have to plow through those things in an effort to get issues on the table."

The Crime Czar position was posted yesterday and 37 people have already applied.

The salary ranges from $107 to 140 thousand dollars per year.

The county will be taking applications through December 1st
http://www.wbtv.com/Global/story.asp...

District Attorney: It’ll Take Time, Money To Lock Up Repeat Offenders
Friday, November 14, 2008 – updated: 10:52 pm EST November 14, 2008

CHARLOTTE, N.C.-- Mecklenburg County's District Attorney said improving prosecution and getting repeat offenders off the streets will take time.

D.A. Peter Gilchrist said his office faces setbacks from a lack of assistant district attorneys and a backlog of cases.

Two recent cases involving violent, repeat offenders have drawn public criticism.

"Do you think their frustration is any more than mine?" Gilchrist said of the public's reaction. "I mean, I'm obviously frustrated because my job is to try and identify these people, bring lawyers in and convict them."

Gilchrist said one problem is funding from Raleigh.

State Rep. Kelly Alexander said more money will only come if all facets of the criminal justice system prioritize where the money is needed.

I don't blieve this, does anyone?
I think they do prioritize, for political reasons .

http://www.wsoctv.com/news/17983193/detail.ht...