The May 28 court transcripts obtained by Judicial Watch reveal a battle between the justices who wanted to leave early, and prosecutors and public defenders who offered to bring in extra staff and work through the night. In the end, the judges decided to honor the court’s “business hours,” rather than the rule of law, ordering the defendants to return the next day. Many did not, including Patrick who allegedly murdered a 22-year old barber less than one month later.

In response to public criticism, Judges David Wesley, Dan T. Oki and Carol H. Rehm cited the need to save money due to California’s budget shortage. Apparently, the cost of overtime was too much to bear.

“The public doesn’t want to hear this, but public safety needs to be balanced against budget concerns,” said Judge Oki.
Judicial Watch disagrees.

“I have never seen such a reckless disregard for public safety,” said JW President Tom Fitton, noting that many of the criminal suspects were accused of violent crimes such as assault, carjacking and robbery. “One person may be dead simply because judges wanted to pinch a few pennies. Who knows how many more crimes have been committed, or will be committed, by those suspects still at large? This is not about meeting deadlines. This about doing what it takes to protect the public.”

Though the judges continue to maintain they did not have the resources to complete their duties, Judicial Watch has learned that many courts were not in session on May 28, and could have been used to perform criminal arraignments. In fact, subsequent to the court’s criminal neglect on May 28, additional courts have now been opened during periods of increased activity.

Judicial Watch has filed complaints with the Presiding Judge of the Los Angeles County Superior Court System, the Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court, and the Council on Judicial Performance. JW has requested that a through investigation be conducted to assure the public that this type of release of criminal defendants never happens again.