District Attorney Gascón Announces
Exonerations of Two Men Wrongfully Convicted
of Murder in Two Separate Cases
 In a news conference, District Attorney George Gascón gathered with family members and advocates at the Hall of Justice to announce the exonerations of Giovanni Hernandez and Miguel Solorio, each who collectively spent decades in prison for murders they did not commit as teenagers.
“It’s truly devastating when people are wrongfully convicted, especially when they were so young at the time of their arrest. In the case of Mr. Solorio, he was 19 years old. Mr. Hernandez was just 14 years old,” District Attorney Gascón said. “These cases not only highlight the tragic impact on the lives of those directly affected but also underline the impact to the family and friends left behind.”
Mr. Hernandez was only 14 years old when he was arrested and charged for a 2006 Culver City drive-by shooting, and later sentenced to die in prison.
LADA Conviction Integrity Unit’s analysis of Mr. Hernandez’s cellphone records corroborated the investigation by showing the cellphone in his possession was not at or near the location of the shooting.
Mr. Solorio was 19 years old when he was arrested in 1998 for a fatal drive-by shooting in Whittier. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.
The CIU’s investigation and our Habeas Unit’s review of the new evidence led to the conclusion that Mr. Solorio was misidentified as his brother Pedro Solorio in a photo lineup.
Watch it on TikTok.
Read our press release here.
Watch the full press conference here.
 Man Charged in Killings of Four,
Including Three L.A. Unhoused People
 D.A. Gascón, LAPD Chief Michel Moore, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and the United States Department of Justice gathered to share the tragic news of three of our unhoused neighbors murdered over four days.
Joined by Beverly Hills Police Department and Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, we announced a person is in custody, allegedly having committed a murder a day for four days. The defendant also is accused of killing a man in San Dimas in a follow-home murder.
Jerrid Joseph Powell of Los Angeles was charged with four counts of murder, one count of residential robbery and one count of being a felon with a firearm. The defendant also faces special circumstances of committing multiple murders and murder in the course of a robbery, as well as personal use of a firearm allegations.
Thank you to the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department for their extraordinary work on these cases, and Beverly Hills Police Department for making the arrest.
This is an ongoing investigation, anyone with any information is urged to contact the Los Angeles Police Department’s Robbery-Homicide Division, Homicide Special Section, at (213) 486-6890. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to (877) LAPD-24-7 ((877) 527-3247).
Read our press release here.
Watch the news conference here.
Man Charged With Violently Attacking Jewish
Couple While They Were Out Celebrating
Shabbat in Beverly Hills
 District Attorney Gascón announced that Jarris Silagi has been charged with violently attacking a Jewish couple on Dec. 9, as they were on their way to celebrate Shabbat at their synagogue in Beverly Hills.
“I unequivocally condemn the violent attack inflicted upon those peacefully observing their faith,” District Attorney Gascón said. “Such acts of antisemitism have no place in our community, and we continue to be committed to ensuring justice prevails and holding the defendant accountable. Our thoughts are with the victims and all those who continue to be targeted for their faith.”
Jarris Jay Silagi was charged with one count of attempted second-degree robbery; one count of elder or dependent adult abuse, infliction of injury; one count of assault with a deadly weapon; and two counts of assault by means of force likely to produce great bodily injury.
It is further alleged that Silagi caused great bodily injury during the commission of the crime.
Watch it on TikTok.
Read our press release here.
Watch the press conference here.
Man Charged With Numerous Antisemitic
Vandalism in Burbank and Glendale
 District Attorney George Gascón announced that Klinton Dion was charged with antisemitic vandalisms on public and private property, including Temple Emanu El, in Burbank and Glendale.
“The escalating wave of antisemitic attacks against the Jewish community will not be tolerated in Los Angeles County," asserted District Attorney Gascón. “We have zero tolerance for such behavior and our Hate Crimes Unit will work diligently to continue prosecuting such crimes.”
Klinton Allister Dion was charged with two counts of vandalism of religious property – hate crime; and 10 counts of hate crime – displaying a Nazi symbol, etc., on public and private property.
It is further alleged that the offense is a hate crime and was committed for the purpose of intimidating and deterring persons from freely exercising their religious beliefs.
Watch it on TikTok.
Read our news release here.
Watch the news conference here.
D.A. Gascón Joins Partners in Announcing
L.A. County's 2023 Hate Crimes Report
 District Attorney Gascón joined the Los Angeles County Human Relations Commission for the release of the annual Los Angeles County Hate Crimes Report, which revealed hate crimes have continued to trend upward for the last eight years.
LADA continues to prosecute hate crimes at a higher rate than the statewide average (88% to the statewide average of 54%). But we know that accountability only comes after harm occurs, so we must do more to prevent these crimes from occurring in the first place.
Our partners from LA vs Hate, the Los Angeles Police Department, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Supervisor Hilda Solis, and other community leaders stood together to reiterate the importance of reporting, and that we have a zero tolerance policy for hate in L.A. County.
Watch it on TikTok.
Read the full report here.
Learn more about hate crimes and reporting here.
Chag Sameach!
 D.A. Gascón joined Supervisor Lindsey Horvath and our community partners for a beautiful menorah lighting celebration in downtown L.A. This was in celebration of the final night of Hanukkah. Thank you to Supervisor Horvath and the SD-3 team for coordinating!
May the light ignited continue to inspire hope, understanding, love and harmony throughout the year.
Watch it on TikTok.
Habari Gani?
Merry Christmas!
 LADA hopes everyone celebrating enjoyed a joyful holiday with their loved ones. We gathered to show appreciation for our colleagues and our community throughout the office in the spirit of the giving season. Our BVS continues to host an annual holiday drive for victims and their families, providing some much needed cheer during a time of year that can be especially hard for survivors. Our Bureau of Investigation’s HOPE (“Helping Others Pursue Excellence”) group donated 25 sets of children’s books to the Boys and Girls Club of Santa Clarita last week. “The True Adventures of Charlie, the Crab,” is a series authored by our very own BOI Sergeant Chris Hodek! We are grateful for our incredible colleagues and the opportunity to serve together and give back to our community.
We Honor the Life of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor
  Restitution: Focusing on Victim Services
 We thank our Bureau of Victim Services for holding a community provider forum that discussed the meaning of restitution and how it can benefit victims of crime.
Thank you to everyone who participated in this important event!
If you or anyone you know is in need of victim services, please call LADA's BVS at (800) 380-3811.
Watch the forum here.
D.A. Gascón Visits Sunburst Youth Academy
in Los Alamitos
 D.A. Gascón visited with staff and cadets at Sunburst Youth Challenge Academy in Los Alamitos to hear about the youths' experiences participating in the tuition-free residential leadership academy for teens.
The Academy is an intervention program operated by the California National Guard and in partnership with the Orange County Department of Education. The program helps reclaim the lives of 15 ½ to 18 year olds who are in need of educational credit recovery and committed to turning a corner to achieve success. We are grateful for the support Sunburst provides to the many L.A. County youth and their families who rely on them.
Watch it on TikTok.
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