Tag: District Attorney Todd Spitzer

Accused Laguna Woods Church Shooter Charged With Capital Murder, 9 Other Counts

SANTA ANA, Calif.—A 68-year-old Chinese immigrant accused of opening fire on a Taiwanese congregation inside a Laguna Woods church, killing one person, and injuring five others in an attack, authorities said, was motivated by “political tensions between China and Taiwan,” was charged on Tuesday, May 17, with capital murder and nine other felonies. David Wenwei…


Orange County DA Finds No Crime in Mater Dei Fight

SANTA ANA, Calif—Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer insisted Nov. 30 a locker-room fistfight that ended with a now-former Mater Dei High School football player suffering head injuries was a case of “mutual combat” and not hazing, as alleged in a lawsuit filed by the player’s family against the school and the Diocese of Orange….


Orange County DA to Charge Drug Dealers With Murder If Fentanyl Kills Victim

SANTA ANA, Calif.—Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer announced Nov. 9 that his office will now be charging convicted drug dealers with murder if they manufacture or sell drugs that result in someone dying. The move comes as fatal fentanyl poisonings have skyrocketed across Orange County and the United States over the last few years….


Orange County DA: No Wrongdoing in COVID-19 Inmate Death

SANTA ANA, Calif.—Orange County prosecutors released a memo Sept. 27 stating that no one was criminally liable in the COVID-19 death of a jailed murder defendant in January. In a letter to Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes dated Aug. 30, but publicly released Monday, Senior Deputy District Attorney Cyril Yu said, “There is no indication…


Fire Authorities Warn of Illegal Fireworks Dangers

Independence Day celebrations are never complete without colorful nighttime explosions, but authorities in Orange County, Calif. say lighting firework is no job for amateurs. The improper use of fireworks could spark blazes as the state enters into fire season, said Orange County Fire Authority Chief Brian Fennessy. “To avoid the risk of fireworks and enjoy…


Orange County DA Joins Opposes Early Release of 76,000 Prisoners 

Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer joined 43 California counties on May 26 in filing a civil lawsuit against the early release of 76,000 state inmates. “It is my job as district attorney to keep Orange County safe,” Spitzer said in a press release. “The public must be given the opportunity to question why the California Department of…


Orange County DA Lands Conviction in 1993 Cold Case

The Orange County District Attorney’s (OCDA) office has closed a 28-year cold case after working to clear a 30-year, countywide backlog of untested sexual assault kits, it said April 14. “Clearing the backlog of sexual assault kits has long been a priority of mine since I was a county supervisor,” Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said in…


Orange County DA Says He’s Mulling Death Penalty for Suspected Shooter

The chief suspect in a mass Orange, Calif. shooting could face the death penalty if convicted, and Orange County’s district attorney said he’s pursuing the option. “With respect to the situation in Orange, I’m the only person in this county that makes the ultimate decision about whether we’re going to charge somebody with death,” Todd Spitzer said during…


Orange County Officials Discuss Criminal Consequences of the Pandemic 

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to a rise in unemployment fraud and hate crimes, Orange County elected officials say. Right now, Employment Development Department (EDD) fraud is one of the largest challenges the state is facing, Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer and Sen. Dave Min (D-Irvine) said during a March 26 virtual town hall….


Orange County Cop Accused of Impersonating Colleague Online

A Huntington Beach police officer is facing charges after allegedly posting a co-worker’s photo and personal phone number on a dating website. The victim became aware of the personal ad on doublelist.com after receiving texts from unknown numbers, the Orange County District Attorney’s (OCDA) office said in a release. The posts were created last September…