Crime Victims

* On July 4, my sister and I were mugged in front of her apartment. My sister’s newborn daughter was thrown to the cement, my sister was knocked down and I was hit. I was able to get the license plate number of the car, called 911, and paramedics arrived to take the baby to the hospital to be examined.

The car was spotted by police helicopter and officers on the ground apprehended the suspects. In the hospital parking lot, my sister and I made a field identification of the man who assaulted us.

Several weeks later we were subpoenaed to appear at the preliminary hearing. I drove up from my home in San Diego. We were unable to testify, however, because no one at court could find one of the suspects--who has been in jail since July 4.

A second hearing was postponed, as the suspects requested a lineup identification. More witnesses were found. My sister and I were told we didn’t have to be at the lineup since we had already identified the suspect.

A new preliminary hearing was set. I once again came up from San Diego. My sister and I waited four hours to testify. My sister was finally called in, with the suspects present. At this time, one of the defense lawyers requested that her testimony, and subsequently mine, be disallowed, as we had not participated in the lineup and now that my sister had seen them in court, it would be prejudicial. The assistant district attorney never spoke up on our behalf. The charges involving us were dropped. We were told that new charges would probably not be filed.

I have always stood for the rights of all people, believing strongly in our system. However, it appears that criminals have more rights than anyone. The amount of miscommunication and bureaucracy in this case, particularly by the district attorney’s office, is inexcusable. It was incredibly shoddy tactics on the part of the defense attorney to allow my sister to walk into the courtroom and then call it “prejudicial.”

The bright spot? The police officers involved throughout were outstanding. To them, I would like to say thanks again. What is wrong with our system? You tell me.

LYNN HANSON-ROWE

San Diego