Redondo Beach City Prosecutor Brenda Wells is receiving considerable heat over her decision not to charge Torrance Police Sgt. Michael Mastick, who was involved in an off-duty hit-and-run collision. He admitted that he fled the scene because “judgment was impaired by alcohol.” A novel defense to be sure but it seems to have worked.
Wells insists that the victim did not want the internal affairs investigator prosecuted — though such objections from victims are routinely ignored by prosecutors in bringing cases. She also said that the driver of the vehicle was not immediately identified by witnesses –which would appear less of a problem given Mastick’s incriminating statements.
What is also striking is that Wells acknowledged that Mastick originally told investigators that his wife was driving but later submitted a statement claiming that “he was the driver and he fled because his judgment was impaired by alcohol.”
That would appear to be a false statement in combination with a possible DUI and hit-and-run.
There is a push to get Mastick fired, here.
There is obviously a concern about officers and prosecutors using a double standard when officers are accused of DUIs or hit-and-runs, here and here and here and here.
For the story, click here and
wlecome to south central l.a., OOPS, I mean the south bay..
This is fucking bullshit. Not only he should be fired, but this bitch should be fired too. Abuse of power and pure incompetence…
FUCK the Judicial system!!!
This is the same woman who wants to charge Redondo Beach resident Brian Hitchcock with criminal assault–why? Because officer Anthony Parente rear-ended Hitchcock. Parente was tailgating Hitchcock and turned on his sirens. Hitchcock braked and Parente rear-ended Hitchcock, flying off his motorcycle into the backseat of Hitchcock’s convertible.
There are two witnesses that say Parente was tail-gating and only a few feet behind Hitchcock when he turned on his sirens. At first, Parente tried getting a felony charge of assault with a deadly weapon on Hitchcock. The L.A. County D.A. said there wasn’t enough evidence for that.
Wells thinks otherwise. She wants to make her career on her knees for the police department, protecting law-breakers and convicting innocent citizens.
Sadly, it is an insult to those law officers who make the right decisions and behave, as most of us do… responsibly, with adult concern for the safety of others and ourselves. Set a bad example and what can you expect? It is a simple invitation to have no respect for the law (or a demonstration that of there being no respect for the law).
It is simple dear, when you know you will be driving home, don’t drink… then you won’t be tempted to do something stupid, and then another thing stupid, and then another thing stupid… A man stands up and says “I was wrong” and deals with what comes next. Anything less… is less than smart.
She should be fired. Any volunteers to start/join a Redondo Beach police/city attorney watchdog group?
Wells decides not to prosecute Mastick?
She’s obviously fucking him.
zimbabalouie,
And how far can that first drink that you take be considered the voluntary one? An Alcoholic must not drink but is compelled. This is a voluntary choice in most peoples minds but for a person thats brain is affected (infected) no longer has that choice.
When anyone drinks alcohol they are making a conscienous choice to consume a beverage they know is going to impair their ability to make rational decisions and their ability to make coordinated responses with their body.
If you choose to consume an alcoholic beverage anything you do after you have made that first decision is your responsibility. To use alcohol impairment as an excuse or to accept alcohol impairment as an excuse is in itself inexcusable.
You choose to drink then you have chosen to accept any and all responsibility for your actions. The law in this case should be harsh and definitive in both prosecuting the officer and seeking sanctions against the prosecuter.
WHen you choose to drink and you are involved in an accident that results in a death the charge should be second degree murder. You made the choice. When you choose to drink and are involved in a non-injury hit and run you should be tried as a crimminal and if you are a cop you should be fired with a caviat that you never again can work in law enforcement.
Alcohol impairment is not an accident it is an intentional act and anything anyone does while intoxicated should never be excused.
Fire the cop and sanction the lawyer, now!
This is the equivalent of using ‘they wanted to arrest me’ as a defense for shooting a few officers.
Correction:
In the same VEIN, the following case could, perhaps, use a little more exposure:
02/14/2010
SPLC Seeks Justice in Police Shooting of Elderly Louisiana Man
http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/news/splc-suit-seeks-justice-in-police-shooting-of-elderly-louisiana-man
“These officers were out of control when they stormed onto Mr. Monroe’s property,” said Morris Dees, chief trial counsel for the SPLC. “It ended in a devastating tragedy for the Monroe family.”
The shooting occured on February 20, 2009.
AJ – I would agree that “fear of retribution” sometimes plays a role.
One of the reasons cited for not pursuing charges is that the victim did not want to press charges (fear of retrobution perhaps?). However he admitted driving drunk, lying about it (framing his wife no less) and fleaing the scene of a crime. I wonder if they drop all drunk driving, and hit & run crimes because there is no victim? I wonder if I would be given the same leniency if I were busted for drunk driving and there was no ‘victim’?
In the same case, the following case could perhaps use a little more exposure:
02/14/2010
SPLC Seeks Justice in Police Shooting of Elderly Louisiana Man
http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/news/splc-suit-seeks-justice-in-police-shooting-of-elderly-louisiana-man
“These officers were out of control when they stormed onto Mr. Monroe’s property,” said Morris Dees, chief trial counsel for the SPLC. “It ended in a devastating tragedy for the Monroe family.”
The shooting occured on February 20, 2009.
It appears that they’re all friends in Redondo Beach. What’s even sadder is that Brenda Wells probably aspires to sit on the bench at some point.
rcampbell,
I think you make a point.
Remember to defund your local police. Arm yourselves. Train your daughters to defend themselves. Train your nieces, your sisters, and your Aunts. Train your wives and mothers. Take responsibility for your family’s security and safety. Watch your children closely.
Hire private security. Discourage letting your daughters go around unescorted or alone.
We only need a hand full of county government police to transport bad guys to jail and keep them there.
Who are bad guys outside of plundering thieves at the House and Senate in D.C?
Probably the prosecutor in this case.
I’d like to thank Mr. Turley for giving this case exposure and for publishing the name of the cop.
Perhaps Ms. Wells’ title should be changed to City non-Prosecutor.
But Officer, I was too drunk to drive in a straight line. So what’s the problem? We are hearing about it, is what the problem is. Damn liberal Media. Somebody outta be sued……