(Photo: Michael Christopher Mejia, the creep who killed Whittier Officer Keith Boyer)
The bill, which was written by Assemblyman Ian Calderon (D-Whittier), would have required jail time for probationers who violate the terms of their supervision at least three times.
Michael Mejia, the creep who killed Officer Keith Boyer, cycled in and out of county jail in the months before the shooting and repeatedly violated the terms of his probation.
He was on probation on February 20th, when he crashed a stolen car and got in a shootout with Boyer and Officer Patrick Hazell, who survived.
Brown said in his veto message:
“I do not agree with a three-strikes-and-you’re-out approach is the correct solution. This would undermine the sound discretion of local probation authorities, who by training and sworn responsibility, are in the best position to make determinations on what types of sanctions or punishment should be imposed.”
"Three strikes" refers to Prop 184, which California voters overwhelmingly approved back in 1994. Under the proposition, a third conviction often meant 25 years to life.
Three-strikes was great, but then in 2012 voters approved changes in the law to allow for lighter sentences if the third conviction was for a less serious or nonviolent felony.
Calderon's bill, AB 1408, would have also required the Board of Parole Hearings to take into account inmates' entire criminal history, instead of just looking at the most recent offense.
That only makes sense, right? Well, it doesn't make sense to Jerry Brown.
Right now, the board may consider the entire criminal history before granting parole, but they're not required to.
Whittier Mayor Joe Vinatieri was very disappointed in Brown's decision:
“This was a very measured bill that would have helped greatly, especially the portion where the state could have looked at a felon’s complete history of violence, which they’re not allowed to do now. In light of the overwhelming support for this measured response, it’s time for an initiative. It’s time for the people to stand up and say enough is enough.”
The bill had bipartisan support. Not one Democrat or Republican voted "no" in the Assembly or the Senate. And still, Brown slapped it down.