Frustration and criticism as L.A. County D.A. struggles to reform sentencing

Barry Hawes was sentenced to 25 years in prison for a shooting in which there was never proof he fired a gun. Tiffiny Blacknell, a spokesperson for Gascón’s office, defended the resentencing initiative and said the number of people who’ve benefited is “greatly multiplied” if expanded to include the work of other units in the office. “It’s much easier to deny someone than to grant it.” Stiffelman said the unit rejected Hawes’ bid for resentencing in part because his probation report erroneously claimed he had been accused of assaulting a child. He’s under-equipped, underfunded.” While appreciative of Gascón’s efforts overall, Hawes ended up serving 18 more months in prison after the resentencing unit denied his petition. “To this day, for all I know, they’re still looking behind their back when they’re driving around late at night.” Christopher Hawthorne, director of the Juvenile Innocence and Fair Sentencing Clinic at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles and Guevara’s attorney, said the case highlights the successes and importance of Gascón’s program, even if he wished it would move faster.