header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
September 8
1946 - Dedication of newly constructed William S. Hart High School [story]
dedication


| Wednesday, Aug 5, 2020
lacey - Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey braces herself before she speaks to the media after her husband David Lacey aimed a gun at protesters who rang their doorbell at dawn on March 2, 2020. | Photo: Nathan Solis / CNS.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey braces herself before she speaks to the media after her husband David Lacey aimed a gun at protesters who rang their doorbell at dawn on March 2, 2020. | Photo: Nathan Solis / CNS.

 

The husband of Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey faces misdemeanor charges stemming from an incident in which he pulled a handgun on Black Lives Matter activists who rallied outside his home seeking a meeting with the DA.

The incident took place a day before the heated March 3 primary election in which Jackie Lacey was up for re-election.

Members of the Black Lives Matter LA group organized a protest outside the Granada Hills, California, home of the DA, who they long criticized for her recalcitrance toward progressive reforms of the criminal legal system and her refusals to charge officers who fatally shoot residents.

In a video tweeted by California State University, LA, professor and BLM LA organizer Melina Abdullah, David Lacey is seen standing at the entrance of his home, pointing a handgun at activists who rang his doorbell.

“Get off of my porch,” David Lacey says in the video. “I will shoot you.”

Off-camera Abdullah asks, “Can you tell Jackie Lacey we’re here?”

The incident sent a shockwave through the county and rocked the campaign of the incumbent DA, who was fending off competition from former San Francisco District Attorney George Gascón and former public defender Rachel Rossi.

In a press conference following the incident, Jackie Lacey said another agency would investigate the matter and that her husband was “profoundly sorry” for pointing his gun at activists.

Members of BLM LA said outside the DA’s office at the Hall of Justice that the husband’s apology should have been delivered to them personally and not through a prepared statement to news media.

A month after the incident, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra’s office said it was investigating the matter.

On Monday, Becerra’s office charged David Lacey with three misdemeanor counts of assault with a firearm during the March 2 incident, according to the criminal complaint filed in LA County Superior Court.

The 3-page complaint signed by Deputy Attorney General Seth P. McCutcheon accuses David Lacey of assaulting Abdullah and fellow activists Dahlia Ferlito and Justin Andrews Marks.

Jackie Lacey issued a personal statement on the charges Tuesday, saying the March 2 incident has caused her family pain and that her husband was trying to protect her.

“My husband acted in fear for my safety after we were subjected to months of harassment that included a death threat no less than a week earlier,” the DA said in the statement. “Protesters arrived at my house shortly after 5 a.m. while I was upstairs. My husband felt that we were in danger and acted out of genuine concern for our well-being.”

In a statement, David Lacey’s attorney Samuel E. Tyre expressed disappointment with the decision to prosecute.

“My client and I are disappointed that the attorney general’s office felt that the conduct at issue amounted to criminal behavior. We disagree entirely with their assessment, but we have the utmost faith in the justice system, and we are confident that the correct result will be reached,” Tyre said.

“At this time we are not going to comment on the facts of the case, except to say that my client’s human instinct is forever and always to protect his wife and his family and to keep them safe from physical harm. We look forward to all relevant facts coming to light.”

The DA — the first woman and first black person elected to the LA County DA’s office — faces a tough runoff against Gascón in November, a race framed as an indictment on the DA’s office’s current approach to police accountability.

Since taking office in 2012, Jackie Lacey’s office has only filed charges against one officer — voluntary manslaughter in the shooting death of a man during a traffic stop at a Norwalk gas station.

Neither Abdullah nor a spokesperson for BLM LA responded to requests for comment by press time.

In recent months, leading California Democrats including Congressman Adam Schiff have revoked their endorsement of Jackie Lacey as the nationwide movement for police accountability has fomented support for Gascon. Others pulling their support from Jackie Lacey include Sen. Kamala Harris and Rep. Maxine Waters.

— By Martin Macias Jr., CNS

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

1 Comment

  1. Roger says:

    What seems to be forgotten is the mob broke down a gate to get into the community. He would have every reason to be in fear for his life and when facing a mob lethal force is legal.
    This is another political move to punish a citizen for protecting his family.
    That matter should be dropped.

Leave a Comment


SCV NewsBreak
LOCAL NEWS HEADLINES
Friday, Sep 6, 2024
Sept. 9-13: Overnight Lane Closures Resume for NB I-5
Caltrans announced northbound Interstate 5 will be reduced to two lanes from Lake Hughes Road to two miles north of Templin Highway (near the Whitaker Sand Shed) north of Castaic overnights Monday, Sept. 9 through Friday, Sept. 13 from 11 p.m. to 8 a.m.
Friday, Sep 6, 2024
SUSD has 15 Schools on America’s Healthiest Schools List
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation has announced that Saugus Union School District had 15 schools among the 879 schools nationwide to be awarded and named America’s Healthiest Schools for the 2023-2024 school year.
Friday, Sep 6, 2024
Oct. 13: Young Musicians to Kick off SCSO Season
On Sunday, Oct. 13, Santa Clarita Symphony Orchestra opens the 2024-2025 season with “Young Stars and Old Masters” at the Canyon High School Performing Arts Center.
Keep Up With Our Facebook

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1946 - Dedication of newly constructed William S. Hart High School [story]
dedication
1933 - Birth of the late John Fuller, local banker, co-founder of Henry Mayo Hospital, and VP of CalArts [obituary]
John Fuller
Caltrans announced northbound Interstate 5 will be reduced to two lanes from Lake Hughes Road to two miles north of Templin Highway (near the Whitaker Sand Shed) north of Castaic overnights Monday, Sept. 9 through Friday, Sept. 13 from 11 p.m. to 8 a.m.
Sept. 9-13: Overnight Lane Closures Resume for NB I-5
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation has announced that Saugus Union School District had 15 schools among the 879 schools nationwide to be awarded and named America’s Healthiest Schools for the 2023-2024 school year.
SUSD has 15 Schools on America’s Healthiest Schools List
On Sunday, Oct. 13, Santa Clarita Symphony Orchestra opens the 2024-2025 season with “Young Stars and Old Masters” at the Canyon High School Performing Arts Center.
Oct. 13: Young Musicians to Kick off SCSO Season
The National Weather Service, which early this week warned of the intense heat wave from San Luis Obispo County all the way down to San Diego County, has announced the excessive heat warning will last in the Santa Clarita Valley until 8 p.m. Monday.
National Weather Service Extends Excessive Heat Warning Thru Monday
The Saugus High School Instrumental Music and Booster Club's "All Valley Showcase", sponsored by Scriptz will be held Saturday, Sept. 21, 7 p.m. at Valencia High School, 27801 Dickason Drive, Valencia, CA 91355.
Sept. 21: Saugus High’s Instrumental Music Club Hosts ‘All Valley Showcase’
Agua Dulce Winery is back on the market with a reduced price of $10,888,000. It is now listed with by Mike Goldfarb, an agent affiliated with the Beverly Hills office of Coldwell Banker Realty.
Agua Dulce Winery Back on Market for $10,888,000
California Sen. Scott Wilk (R-Santa Clarita) has delivered a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom inviting him to tour the Chiquita Canyon Landfill, where an underground chemical fire continues to impact the environment, health, safety and wellbeing of residents in the Santa Clarita Valley.
Wilk Calls on Governor Newsom to Visit Chiquita Canyon Landfill
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health reports that of the 40 rabid bats found in Los Angeles County in 2024, 16 of those rabid bats have been found in the Santa Clarita Valley. The latest cases of rabid bats found in the county include two bats found in September, both found in the SCV.
Rabid Bats Found in Santa Clarita Valley
Circle of Hope will host a fundraiser Wednesday, Sept. 11, 11 a.m.- 10 p.m. at Handel's Homemade Ice cream located at 25880 The Old Road, Stevenson Ranch, CA 91381.
Sept. 11: Circle of Hope Handel’s Ice Cream Fundraiser
Students from the West Ranch High School marching band will put down their instruments and pick up sponges and buckets to take part in the band’s annual “Wet Ranch” car wash fundraiser tol be held Saturday Sept. 14.
Sept. 14: West Ranch Marching Band Car Wash Fundraiser
The Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation, College of the Canyons, city of Santa Clarita, Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce and America's Job Centers of California will host the Santa Clarita Job Fair, Friday, Oct. 18.
Oct. 18: Santa Clarita Job Fair to be Held at COC
Child & Family Center invites Santa Clarita residents to a free movie screening and discussion of the original hit film Inside Out on Friday, Sept. 13 at 5 p.m. at 21545 Centre Pointe Parkway, Santa Clarita, CA 91350.
Sept. 13: Child & Family Center ‘Inside Out’ Movie Screening
As scorching triple-digit temperatures engulf Los Angeles County throughout the weekend and excessive heat warnings have been issued for many communities in Los Angeles County’s Fifth District, I urge residents to do their part to lessen the threat of wildfires.
Kathryn Barger | Do Your Part to Prevent Wildfires
1975 - Saugus High School opens [yearbook]
1976 yearbook photo
The Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society will be jumping and jiving when they celebrate the days of poodle skirts and pompadours with “SCV History Hops: Back to the ‘50s” on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 5 to 9 p.m.
Oct.19: SCV History Hops: Back to the ‘50s to Launch Fundraising Drive
After being part of the Parks and Recreation Commission in the early 90s and spending nearly 30 years on the City Council, my life has been dedicated to creating a community where residents and businesses feel welcomed and safe here in Santa Clarita.
Laurene Weste | Creating Community at The Roller Rink
This year's SCAA Art Classic and Awards Ceremony will be held Saturday, Sept. 28, from 1-5 p.m. along with a viewing Sunday, Sept. 29, from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at The Centre, 20880 Centre Point Parkway, Santa Clarita, CA. 91350.
Sept. 28-29: SCAA Art Classic 2024 and Viewing
PBS SoCal has announced the 33 student finalists for the 25th season of the Fine Cut Festival of Films, showcasing the talents of emerging filmmakers from across Southern California.
CalArtian Filmmakers Selected for 2024 ‘Fine Cut Festival of Films’
Santa Clarita Sister Cities, in partnership with the city of Santa Clarita, have announced the winners of the 2024 Young Artists and Authors Showcase.
Santa Clarita Students Win Local, International Awards
The city of Santa Clarita invites non-profit organizations interested in learning more about the 2025 grant cycle of the Community Services and Arts Grants Program to attend a webinar via Zoom on Thursday, Sept. 19 at 10 a.m.
Sept. 19: City Hosts Non-Profit Informational Zoom Meeting for Grants
William S. Hart School District and Valencia High School will host the first ever International Cultural Festival Wednesday, Sept. 18, 5-8:30 p.m. at the Valencia High School campus, 27801 North Dickason Drive, Valencia, CA 91355.
Sept. 18: Valencia High School Inaugural International Cultural Festival
The United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, and the California Department of Food and Agriculture in collaboration with county agricultural commissioners have announced after a year of hard work all populations of invasive fruit flies have been eradicated from California.
USDA, CDFA Declare California Free of Invasive Fruit Flies
SCVNews.com