A California teenager sentenced to only seven months in a juvenile probation camp for the horrific hit-and-run that killed a mother and her eight-month-old infant last year is requesting an early release.
The 16-year-old driver is scheduled to enter a plea on Thursday at 9 a.m. in a Los Angeles court, and the young mother expressed indignation that LA County District Attorney George Gascon failed to notify her of the hearing.
The mother, who only gave her name as Rachel, told Fox News Digital, “F—- George Gascon,” adding, “I remain incredibly disappointed with the justice system in LA, but I am unsurprised to learn that I am yet again being denied my rights as a victim to participate and use my voice in the judicial process.”
Rachel predicted that the boy’s next hearing would take place on November 8 towards the tail end of his sentence, which she believed was too short to begin with.
The incident gained attention in June when Gascon’s office, which has a reputation for leniency toward offenders in the name of progressive change, requested a lenient punishment for the 16-year-old accused of operating the stolen car while inebriated.
During the terrifying August 6, 2021 event, Rachel was strolling Charlie in a stroller in the Venice area when the automobile sped up and headed straight towards her.
She attempted to get out of the way in the small alley, but the automobile swerved to the right and struck her, the stroller, and the baby, knocking her over the top of the vehicle.
The motorist raced off, only stopping when a pickup truck blocked his way as frightened witnesses rushed to assist.
The adolescent, known only as KB, was sentenced in June, and it was determined that instead of placing him in juvenile jail, he would spend his time at a “juvenile probation camp.”
In her victim impact statement, Rachel described how the teenager’s actions—who at the time had drugs in his system but wasn’t intoxicated—had a catastrophic effect.
She wrote, “I felt they were the final seconds of our life; we were dead.”
I’ll be plagued by that sensation and the recollection of a vehicle slamming into us head-on forever.
She gave a clear account of the terrifying moment when he charged at her and her infant.
In order to give the irresponsible driver enough of area to pass, Rachel explained, “As the vehicle neared me and my kid, I stopped walking and put the stroller and myself up against a building on the right side of the road.”
“KB turned the wheels in our direction and accelerated like he intended to murder us as the automobile drew dangerously near to us.”
She said, “I was also promised that when he turned 18, his record will be cleared.”
How is it even possible? He attempted to kill two defenceless bystanders. Murder. We also have video proof. If I hadn’t been there to defend him, my kid would have perished.
The punishment to a youth camp, according to Gascon’s administration, was “an suitable outcome.”
The submitted felony charges were accepted by the Sheriff’s Department.
At her arraignment, the child pleaded guilty to two charges of hit-and-run and one count of assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
The court ordered the youngster to a juvenile camp for five to seven months based on the probation department’s suggested settlement.
According to them, the goal of juvenile justice is to “rehabilitate young people.”
The agency said, “In this instance, the kid will be held responsible for his conduct and get the necessary programmes to support healthy growth to prevent him from committing future crimes.”
Rachel was still enraged, however.
In fact, Rachel stated, “I have never felt so abused as I have by the system and the tactics of LA’s DA, George Gascon. I have never been more astonished or disappointed.”
“My heart bleeds when I consider about the other victims out there, less fortunate than me, whose killers are receiving light penalties and being freed from jail before their terms are up.”
“George Gascon doesn’t respect my life, the life of my kid, or the life of any other victim out there,” she said, “and would rather reward the monsters like KB by showing them that their deeds have no repercussions.”
He and every other thug in LA County are being told by DA Gascon that it is okay to attempt murder.
When my kid, my newborn, who is unable to defend himself, is left to fend for himself, and is effectively being told his life doesn’t matter, why are Gascon’s policies prioritising the livelihood of rotten monsters?
Gascon, 68, was elected in November 2020, but his progressive policies—which detractors charge are lax on crime—have made him very unpopular.
While still gathering roughly 520,000 signatories, the recall petition in August fell just short of the 567,000 needed to place the move on the ballot.