Shea Sanna, Los Angeles’ Deputy District attorney, joined Trey Gowdy on “Sunday Night in America,” to discuss the “deadly” consequences of Los Angeles County district attorney George Gascon’s “soft-on crime” approach to criminal law.

Gowdy referred to the case of Stefan Sutherland. He was a attempted murder suspect arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department on November 2020. Gascon’s Office recommended that he be sent to a mental diversion program rather than prison for the alleged stabbing. Sutherland’s arrest was made again in May 2023, in connection with the murder of a neighbor.

Gowdy stated that Gascon blamed everyone except himself for the murder

Senna continued, “Mr. Sutherland has been arrested by the LAPD on charges of attempted murder for stabbing an LAPD construction worker in his neck because he was making too loud noises for Sutherland to like. Gascon’s policies of a soft approach to crime meant that he was charged with assault with deadly weapon rather than attempted murder. This made him eligible for mental diversion. Gascon’s policy is to not oppose these mental health diversion actions and basically go along with what the public defender office wants.”

Bill Melugin, Fox News’ national correspondent, reported Tuesday on “America’s Newsroom” that sources told him that the Los Angeles County Probation Department had recommended a prison term for Sutherland in 2020 for his arrest.

The LA County Probation Department’s recommendation was not followed.

The prosecutor did not object to the program, the judge approved it and Sutherland returned to the streets after attempting to kill someone. Sanna stated that when his upstairs neighbour was making too much sound for him, he went up and shot her dead.

Gowdy asked a question about Gascon’s claim that he “had no choice” and that the court had made the decision that Sutherland be recommended to the mental diversion program.

Sanna clarified the fact that decisions in cases such as Sutherland begin with Gascon. He said that Gascon does not “allow his prosecutors” to file certain charges.

“George Gascon demands that prosecutors give the lightest of touches. Sanna explained that we must file the charges with the least serious of penalties, which is assault with a dangerous weapon. “Any DAs that don’t agree with George Gascon face retaliation, and are punished at the office because they oppose motions.”

Sanna continued, “So, when he accuses everyone else, it starts with George Gascon. And anyone who does the right thing, opposes these mental health diversion or soft-on crime policies, he punishes, retaliates, fires, and makes their office life miserable.”