KPFA News: Pushback in Defense of Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi
KPFA News, 03.24.2012
Social justice advocates are asking what is to become of San Francisco Sheriff Mike Hennessey's groundbreaking legacy of redemptive rather than retributive justice, if newly elected Sheriff Mirkarimi is forced from office?
Upon his retirement, Sheriff Hennessey endorsed then Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi to take his place. After Mirkarimi's decision to plead guilty to a misdemeanor in a domestic violence trial, which would allow him to legally remain in office, the San Francisco Chronicle reported this conversation with Hennessey:
"My opinion is that he should remain in the job and be given a chance to show what he can do with the office. I think he's being punished accordingly by the justice system," said Hennessey, who has been lauded by victims' advocacy groups over the years for domestic violence services and programs that began under his watch. While admitting guilt to the crime of false imprisonment is serious, he added, it should not automatically disqualify Mirkarimi from holding office. "During my time as sheriff, I hired many people with criminal records who have done outstanding jobs for the department," Hennessey said. "Oftentimes, you have to look at the whole issue of rehabilitation and redemption."
KPFA Weekend News Host Cameron Jones: San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee suspended Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi this week, after Mirkarimi brought his San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee, left, and Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi, right
costly and sensational trial on domestic violence charges to an end by pleading guilty to a single misdemeanor charge, false imprisonment, which, in his case, seemed to mean preventing his wife Eliana Lopez from leaving the house during a New Year's argument. Lopez has repeatedly asserted that her husband did not abuse her. Mayor Lee demanded that Mirkarimi resign, even though the misdemeanor conviction does not legally oblige him to do so. When Mirkarimi refused, Lee launched an untested procedure to force him out. If the City's Ethics Commission refers a decision to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, ousting Mirkarimi will require 9 of 11 votes there. KPFA's Ann Garrison has this report on the pushback against Mayor Lee, in support of Mirkarimi.


See also:
The New Press - "The New Jim Crow" by Michelle Alexander
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