San Diego sheriff’s deputies failed to take reasonable measures to protect a low-level sex offender when they put him in a jail cell with a high-level violent offender, the county’s civilian oversight board has ruled.
The low-level sex offender, a 56-year-old man named Derek Thomas Baker who was sent to jail for failing to properly register, was beaten to death in March 2022 after he was housed alongside Patrick Ferncase, who had been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, assault with force and elder abuse.
From what I’ve read, it appears that this board’s function is to agree with the public and shrug their shoulders saying, “Yeah, LE was wrong, but nothing we can do but complain until the next one.”
I could live to be 600 and still never understand the point of establishing a board like this without giving them the authority to do anything regarding their findings.
In California a FTR charge is also a possible death sentence.
I personally hope the sheriff’s department is sued in a civil lawsuit for wrongful death among other things and is nearly bankrupted in their settlement with the family and maybe even more families if it can turn into a class action suit.
How is it that this isn’t more ammunition to shut down the registries? Just how much evidence is needed that the registries are a complete waste and bring more harm than good? What’s going on that these murders and acts of vigilantes aren’t all compiled together and taken to the Supreme Court to stop this insanity? Oh well, I’m just one voice and not a loud enough one at that. Emily Horrowitz or Janet should have all this information to give to a stunning lawyer who could petition the Court for a review of the entire registry scheme. But thus far nothing. Why? I don’t think it’s because they aren’t trying, but what is it going to take to get some action on this? Halloween will be here soon enough and yet again there isn’t anything stopping this madness. Every year I think the same thing, the same headlines the same fight the same misuse of the system by people out for vengeance thinking they’re so noble and just. I guess this man dying in a prison cell over an FTR charge was absolutely completely 1000% in vain and don’t worry, the registry wasn’t punishment for him, and no… Noone will do anything about it.
They do the same in Orange County. When in the loop on a violation they put me in a cell with a guy being held for a triple homicide and gang ties. Turns out I knew his cousin from when I was in the Fed’s and he was super cool with me. They won’t go as far as telling them what your there for, they think your going to be dumb enough to hang yourself and tell dude why your there. This is what happens when they cops get their way