Don’t Tilt the Scales of Justice

Although perfectly legal, a letter from Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich urging the release of a teenage murder suspect on his own recognizance showed a severe lack of judgment. One would think that Antonovich would have learned his lesson two years ago when he got slapped by a state appellate court for intervening on behalf of campaign donors involved in a lawsuit. Apparently not.

Writing to juvenile court authorities June 3, Antonovich used his official stationery in arguing--unsuccessfully--that the youth be released pending trial. Prosecutors want the boy tried as an adult. He and five others stand accused of murder for the stabbing death of another youth outside a posh birthday party in Encino. Most of the suspects come from wealthy families. They allegedly fled the crime in a Mercedes sedan and a Jeep Cherokee.

Antonovich may feel strongly that the teenager, who is active in the Armenian community, ought to be free as he awaits trial. But he should keep those feelings to himself--unless, of course, he’s decided to take up the cause of every teenage murder suspect. The fact is, most kids accused of serious crimes are poor and they await trial behind bars. Almost none get high-priced lawyers, let alone the attention of powerful politicians.

As a public official on a board that controls the Los Angeles Superior Court’s $250-million budget, Antonovich has no justification to meddle in the day-to-day administration of justice. Rare as they are, letters like Antonovich’s put judges and prosecutors in awkward spots that expose justice to politics. It’s a bad mix.