By Emerson Drake
6/3/11
Thanks to D.A. Harris and his velvet glove handling of the Kari Abbey case, bail for at least one defendant has been lowered by one million dollars. After questioning several local attorneys it has become apparent that for the first time in Stanislaus County history a defendant charged with murder where a firearm was used, that a gun enhancement charge wasn't filed.
D.A. Harris wasn't available for comment on that question. But that doesn't surprise court watchers who suggest Harris's heart isn't in it. After all no criminal conspiracy charges have been filed and no bail hold has been requested. That is where the defendant is required to prove the money was legally obtained.
As you might remember D.A. Harris was also responsible for prosecuting the Modesto Police Department's "Gun Gate" where he allowed 24 officers to claim they weren't aware of a law that made it illegal to buy or sell confiscated weapons.
Although D.A. Harris did ask for a bail adjustment from the court, saying he didn't believe the bail was set correctly according to a new bail schedule, he was willing to postpone it until June 30. In the meantime ,others who have high bails will continue getting them lowered.
So Mr. Harris, since you refused to answer the question earlier, I'll ask you here once again, why haven't you added the weapon enhancement charge to the list of charges? Your office routinely does it to every other defendant it files charges against, why not Kari Abbey?
Is it because of your boss, District Attorney Birgit Fladager's close relationship with Sheriff Adam Christianson?
Why isn't justice a level playing field in Stanislaus County?
