West Magazine February 23, 1969

The D.A.'s Grade

Dear Sir:

In West magazine of Jan. 26, Ralph Guzman (Brown Power) suggest that had the law enforcement authorities "turned their backs" during the series of events culminating in the East Los Angeles high school walkouts perhaps the problems now existing with respect to militant activities would not exist.

He suggest that the school board, law enforcement, and "especially" the District Attorney rate an "F" in terms of their reaction to these matters. This "especially" reference to the District Attorney is puzzling when one considers that the District Attorney's duty was to present to the Grand Jury the evidence which was available and which had come to his attention. The Grand Jury, representing the community, felt that this evidence warranted the charges that were contained in the indictment.

Certain facts about this case have been glossed over in most accounts, and persons such as Mr. Guzman have attempted to characterize this indictment as a move against the students at the school. Everyone should know that the indicted defendants were not students at the school; that the majority of the students who wished to remain in class were forced to leave by the actions of these outsiders which brought about the closing of the school.

The transcript of testimony of taken before the Grand Jury reveals the evidence which was presented to that body and which was the basis upon which the Grand Jury indictment was returned. A reading of that transcript reflects that the actions of these defendants who sought to bring about a closing of the schools resulted in serious property damage and assaults.

We suggest that Mr. Guzman's approach is another example of an attitude which can lead and has led to the escalation of violence on the campuses of many of our educational institutions.

Prosecutor Committee

Criminal Courts Bar Assn, Inc.

Los Angeles County

The Criminal Courts Bar Association consists of Judges, prosecutors ad private and public defense counselors organized to foreward the administration of justice in the criminal court.-Ed.