City Won’t Prosecute 80-Year-Old Woman

The Santa Monica city attorney’s office has decided not to prosecute an 80-year-old woman charged with five crimes ranging from misdemeanor assault to petty theft and obstructing a police officer.

Elizabeth Curran had been jailed at least twice in connection with the charges. Most recently, the frail woman was incarcerated June 28 for three days at the Sybil Brand Institute after failing to appear in court on an outstanding warrant. City Atty. Robert Myers said he prosecuted Curran in an effort to find help for her mental problems and because of neighbor’s complaints about her “antisocial” behavior. In numerous court hearings, Curran argued that she was being persecuted by her neighbors and by city officials.

“We reached the point that it was apparent to us that no purpose was served in prosecuting her,” Myers said. “We wanted to help her, but no help was forthcoming. We saw no need to subject her to a trial.”