SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY MICHAEL RAMOS [ARTICLE ON THE DEATH PENALTY OF THE WEEK ~ SUNDAY 21 OCTOBER 2012 TO SATURDAY 27 OCTOBER 2012]

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PAGE TITLE: http://www.sbsun.com/

ARTICLE TITLE: Nothing 'safe' about repealing California's death penalty

DATE: Saturday 6 October 2012

AUTHOR: Michael Ramos

AUTHOR INFORMATION: Michael Ramos is the San Bernardino County District Attorney - On January 4, 2011, Michael A. Ramos was sworn in as District Attorney of the County of San Bernardino for a third term. In his address, he noted the importance of continuing his mission to fight violent crime and corruption and make victims’ rights a priority.

No stranger to the local area, District Attorney Ramos was born and raised in Redlands, California. He has been married to his wife Gretchen for 30 years.  He has two grown children, Michele and Michael and a grandson, Christian.

After attending local schools in Redlands and graduating from Redlands High School in 1976, Ramos earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from the University of California in Riverside in 1980 and a Doctorate of Jurisprudence from Citrus Belt Law School in Riverside in 1988.

Ramos’ government service began in 1980, where he started as a group counselor with the Probation Department and then later became a Probation Officer. He started his career with the District Attorney’s Office in June 1989, as a Deputy District Attorney. 

In addition to his work in general prosecution and the narcotics unit, he served with the Major Crimes Unit for four years, until 2002, when he was elected District Attorney for San Bernardino County.

His civic services have included serving as a school board member from 1995 – 2002; member of the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board; and President of the California District Attorney Association Board Member, to name a few.

Recently, Ramos was elected to represent the State of California on the National District Attorney’s Association Board of Directors and serve as co-chair of the NDAA’s committee for corrections and prison re-entry.

“Because of my work as president of the CDAA with Governor Brown on AB 109 this past year, I have been noticed as an expert in this area,” said Ramos. “Having this opportunity will give me the chance to highlight the successes and models of our office with my colleagues across the country. Ultimately, though, this will allow me to be a leader on all issues that affect public safety and victims of crime.”

A firm believer in serving his community, Ramos has been recognized with such awards as the Inland Empire Hispanic Image Awards recipient for Influential Latino of the Year (2005); the Victim Service Award San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office Victim/Witness Assistance Program (2000); and M.A.D.D. Prosecutor of the Year Award (1998).

During his tenure, he has added a Public Integrity Unit to handle political corruption and a Lifer Parole Hearing Unit to ensure that violent prisoners serve their maximum prison terms. He has also expanded Gang Units to all three of his major offices, as well as Fontana.

Since 2005, when the Gang Unit was created, there have been 3,902 state prison commitments secured for a total of 25,840 years plus 108 life terms in state prison.

“The rise of criminal street gangs in this county is a real threat to our communities, but I refuse to allow these local terrorists to determine how we live our daily lives,” said Ramos. “I’ve said it before and I will continue to say that coming down hard on gang crime and keeping our communities safe will always be an important mission of this office.”

To further combat gangs, in 2007, Ramos implemented a Gang Injunction Unit, which targets gangs in unincorporated areas of the county and uses civil abatement methods to assist in ridding the county of gangs. The most recent gang injunction was filed in July 2011 against a criminal street gang in the City of Rialto. The injunction will serve to disrupt the gang's activities and make it harder for them to intimidate community members by prohibiting members from congregating and loitering in an area designated as the Safety Zone. 

Ramos has also expanded the Cold Case Unit to deal with the increase in cold cases that are being solved due to new technology, such as DNA. “These are important cases, said Ramos, “because to a victim or a victim’s family, a case is never ‘cold.’”

Ramos has also established an Identity Theft Unit with attorneys in his three major offices, as well as the Victim Services Unit, which provides assistance to victims as they make their way through the criminal justice system. Additionally, he has expanded the Family Violence Unit with attorneys who are cross-trained in elder abuse, domestic violence and crimes against children.

“Ultimately, our job is to represent the people in the criminal justice system for the County of San Bernardino,” said Ramos. “As long as I am district attorney, I will continue to ensure that we do just that in a manner that is consistent with our mission and the ethical responsibilities that we are sworn to uphold as prosecutors.”

http://cms.sbcounty.gov/da/AboutDARamos/AboutDistrictAttorneyMichaelARamos.aspx

URL:http://www.sbsun.com/pointofview/ci_21714383/nothing-safe-about-repealing-californias-death-penalty

DA Michael Ramos

Nothing 'safe' about repealing California's death penalty

District Attorney Michael Ramos

Posted:   10/06/2012 07:12:23 AM PDT

As District Attorney of San Bernardino County, my mission is to not only uphold the criminal justice system and represent the people of our county, but to also make victims' rights a priority. Just recently, there have been exaggerated efforts to repeal the death penalty in the state of California, and I refuse to sit back and allow the very people who elected me to this office to be manipulated by a blatantly deceptive campaign. 

This November, voters will have the chance to vote on a ballot initiative known as the SAFE California Act, or Proposition 34, which seeks to replace California's death penalty with a life sentence with no chance of parole as the maximum punishment for murder. The citizens of California have already voted for and approved the death penalty. If this initiative passes, more than 700 death row inmates will be given life without the possibility of parole, as well as lifetime housing and medical care. 

Let me be very clear: I oppose this initiative, as do sheriffs, police chiefs, prosecutors, community leaders and crime victims from all across the state. 

First of all, the name itself is as misleading as the arguments posed by Prop. 34 supporters. It's an insult to voters as well as victims and their families, because those who support the initiative want voters to believe that in some way we will all be "safer" as a result of passing this initiative. Nothing could be further from the truth. Backers of Prop. 34 also are hoping to gain advantage by those voters who might not take the time to research the language or implications prior to voting. There is absolutely nothing "safe" about the SAFE California Act. 

There are 37 inmates who were convicted of crimes in San Bernardino County currently awaiting execution. Take confessed triple-killer Jimmy Dale Kelley. When deputies arrived at the scene, they found three victims with multiple gunshot wounds to the head and body. The female victim had electrical wiring wrapped and tied around her head and face, and the two males had their necks slashed open. Or what about the appalling murder of Rialto Police Sgt. Gary Wolfey, who was gunned down in cold blood by Dennis Mayfield? Or Brett Pensinger, who sexually abused and beat to death a 5-month-old child? 

The list of criminals convicted and sentenced to death by juries of law-abiding citizens goes on: Across the state, we are talking about 135 sexual assault murderers, 126 torture murderers, 135 child murderers, and 41 individuals who killed police officers. These are the worst of the worst criminals, and by seeking the death penalty, it is important to remember that it is not a reflection of our brutality, but rather an expression of our disdain for their brutal actions. 

The Yes on 34 Campaign has asserted that the current system is broken and expensive. Sadly for the victims' family members, it does take far too long for convicted criminals to move through the justice system, but the very people who are now crying foul, are the same individuals who have bogged down the system for years with frivolous appeals. We don't need to repeal the death penalty - we need to enact measures that would mend the current system and prevent countless motions and appeals by the ACLU and its supporters from clogging up our justice system. 

Take Kevin Cooper, for example, one of San Bernardino County's most notorious killers convicted nearly 30 years ago of four gruesome murders in Chino Hills, including two children. Cooper has been sitting on Death Row for 27 years. He has appealed 10 times each to the California Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court. The current appellate process needs to be streamlined in order to prevent these all-too-familiar delay tactics. Rather than provide brutal killers with lifetime housing and health care, let's fix the current system and carry out what the voters approved years ago. 

As district attorney, the decision to pursue the death penalty is perhaps the single most difficult decision that I have to make. To condemn someone to death is the ultimate punishment, and it is reserved for those who commit the worst imaginable crimes. I have nothing but respect for the entire process, and just as much respect for our victims and their families who didn't have a choice. You want to save money, let's start carrying out the will of the voters and putting the prisoners on death row to death. Preserve the death penalty. Protect California. Vote NO on Prop 34. 

Michael Ramos is San Bernardino County District Attorney.

http://www.sbsun.com/pointofview/ci_21714383/nothing-safe-about-repealing-californias-death-penalty

QUOTES BY MICHAEL RAMOS:

QUOTE 1: San Bernardino County District Attorney Michael Ramos was among fellow top prosecutors at the steps of the state Capitol on Tuesday 24 April 2012 voicing their opposition to a measure that aims to abolish California's death penalty. 

The California District Attorneys Association, of which Ramos is past president, is opposed to the SAFE California Act, a November ballot measure that would replace the death penalty with the punishment of life in prison without parole. 

The measure to abolish the death penalty official qualified for the November ballot on Monday.

If voters approve, 725 death row inmates would have their sentences converted to the new punishment, which would be the harshest that prosecutors could seek. 

In Sacramento, Ramos marched with fellow district attorneys and victims' family members in support of Crime Victims Week, which began on Monday. Opponents say the measure removes justice for victims of death row prisoners. 

"It's a horrible idea and I think (supporters of the measure) are manipulating the facts," Ramos said. "Nobody sitting on California's death row has ever been proven innocent. These people brutally and horrifically murdered citizens of our county. We are careful about who we select for the death penalty and we don't make these decisions lightly ... I can tell you that the people sitting on death row are not only guilty, but they deserve the ultimate punishment."

QUOTE 2: Saturday 5 May 2012 - San Bernardino County District Attorney Michael A. Ramos is speaking out against a November ballot initiative that aims to end the death penalty in California. 

In an interview, he said it's his priority right now. 

The SAFE California Act was cleared last month for the fall ballot. It seeks to replace the death penalty with a sentence of life in state prison without the possibility of parole as the maximum punishment for murder. 

The initiative's proponent, Savings, Accountability and Full Enforcement for California, cited several reasons for the repeal effort, including the state's significant budget crisis, the high cost of maintaining the death penalty and the risk of executing an innocent person. 

If the initiative passes, more than 700 death row inmates - including 43 who committed their crimes in San Bernardino County - would join the prison's general population. But it would require the inmates to work and pay restitution to the state victim compensation fund. 

"I think it's wrong," Ramos said of the repeal effort. "As we know, the citizens of California have voted for and approved the death penalty." 

Ramos said the title of the SAFE California Act is misleading and that its proponents are simply using California's tough economic times to further their cause. 

We have nobody who is innocent sitting on death row, he said. 

QUOTE 3: Ramos said the non-profit RAND Corp. found no objective data as to the true cost of the death penalty. The state will have to pay for housing either way, he said. 

"I'm such an advocate for the death penalty," said Ramos, who also advocates for victims' rights. "You want to save money, let's start putting people (on death row) to death." 

Statewide, 41 death row inmates killed police officers, 141 killed children and 135 sexually assaulted and raped their victims, Ramos said. 

One of San Bernardino County's notorious killers, Kevin Cooper, has been sitting on death row for 27 years after being convicted of the hatchet slayings on June 4, 1983, of Doug and Peggy Ryen, their 10-year-old daughter and an 11-year-old house guest in Chino Hills. 

Cooper appealed 10 times each to the California Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court, Ramos said. 

"Each time, the evidence got stronger against him," he said. "Cooper wanted us to conduct DNA testing and we did. The most recent blood tests revealed Cooper's DNA."  

QUOTE 4: No execution date has been set for Cooper or any other California death row inmates because of concerns that the state's lethal injection method, which uses three injections, is inhumane. 

But Ramos does agree that the death penalty needs to be fixed. There should be an appellate process, he said, but it needs to be streamlined to prevent appeals just for the purpose of delay. 

Ramos also believes the method used should be a single injection and that it's not cruel and unusual punishment. 

"It's a humane way," he said. "It basically puts them to sleep. I will tell you this, our victims didn't have that choice. They didn't get to say goodbye to family members." 

QUOTE 5: District attorneys statewide use their discretion when deciding whether to seek the death penalty. 

"This is probably one of the most serious decisions I have to make as a DA," Ramos said, "whether or not to seek the death penalty. I have a lot of respect for the whole process. It's a huge decision to make."

QUOTE 6: Wednesday 3 October 2012 - San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos, a Catholic, said he respects Prejean.

But Ramos, who did not attend Wednesday’s speech, said the death penalty truly is for the worst of the worst. He pointed to Rickie Lee Fowler. A jury convicted Fowler of five counts of first-degree murder and two counts of arson in connection with the 91,000-acre Old Fire. The same jury Sept. 28 recommended that Fowler be executed. Earlier this year, Fowler was sentenced to 75 years to life for repeatedly raping a cellmate.

“If Fowler is not executed”, Ramos said, “he’s going to continue to commit crimes on other victims. Our question is, ‘Will he kill someone in prison? Will he kill a correctional officer?’”

QUOTE 7: Ramos said passage of Prop. 34 would cause pain and suffering for the families of victims. Murderers like Fowler will be able to receive visits from their families.

“Where do our families go?” Ramos asked. “They go to the cemetery.”

COMMENT: As a former opponent of the death penalty, I totally agree and I am with you here, Michael Ramos. If Proposition 34 passes, I am extremely concern whether ‘Life Without Parole’ will be abolished next. The Abolitionists had already succeeded in abolishing LWOP for Juveniles in California.

            If I were a D.A myself, I will of course, be very careful of who I select for the death penalty. That is why I know that there is nobody on California Death Row who is factually innocent. I am well aware that the Abolitionists are using the term, ‘Innocent’ to frighten the public that the system is flaw, in order to keep the guilty criminals alive. We can show the Abolitionists how dangerous it is to keep the guilty alive too.  

            There are a number of churches who are speaking out against the death penalty. Ramos is a Roman Catholic and I am a Protestant but we know that there are a number of Roman Catholics and Protestants who do support the death penalty. I love the article, Summa Contra Gentiles, Book 3, Chapter 146 by Saint Thomas Aquinas who defended the use of the death penalty. I recommend all to read it.