Don Thompson
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Articles by Don Thompson
A new Sacramento judge will oversee decades-old mental health case for prisons
The Abridged version: Kimberly Mueller, longtime federal judge in Sacramento and a former City Council member, is retiring, leaving a lingering mental health case to others to oversee. Efforts to fix California's prison mental health system will conservatively take another five to seven years and cost taxpayers a quarter-billion dollars.
Secret Contract Aims to Upend Landmark California Prison Litigation
SACRAMENTO — California commissioned an exhaustive study of whether its prisons are providing sufficient mental health care, an effort officials said they could use to try to end a 34-year-old federal lawsuit over how the state treats inmates with mental illness. But corrections officials won’t disclose basic details of the now-stalled study — even the cost to taxpayers for two consulting firms and more than two dozen national experts retained to examine the issue in 2023.
California may face more than $40M in fines for lapses in prison suicide prevention
California could face more than $40 million in fines after it failed to improve suicide prevention measures in state prisons despite a federal judge’s warning that she would impose financial penalties for each violation. Chief U.S. District Judge Kimberly Mueller told state officials over a year ago that she would start imposing fines unless they implemented 15 suicide prevention protocols that had been lacking for nearly a decade.
California May Face More Than $40M in Fines for Lapses in Prison Suicide Prevention
If you or someone you know may be experiencing a mental health crisis, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing or texting “988.” SACRAMENTO — California could face more than $40 million in fines after it failed to improve suicide prevention measures in state prisons despite a federal judge’s warning that she would impose financial penalties for each violation.
Judge to fine California each day it fails to complete prisoner suicide prevention measures
By Don Thompson | Kaiser Health News A federal judge said this week that she will begin fining California potentially tens of thousands of dollars daily after more than 200 prison inmates killed themselves during eight years in which state corrections officials failed to complete court-ordered suicide prevention measures.
Judge to Fine California Each Day It Fails to Complete Prisoner Suicide Prevention Measures
By Don Thompson March 1, 2023 We encourage organizations to republish our content, free of charge. Here’s what we ask: You must credit us as the original publisher, with a hyperlink to our californiahealthline.org site. If possible, please include the original author(s) and “California Healthline” in the byline. Please preserve the hyperlinks in the story. It’s important to note, not everything on californiahealthline.org is available for republishing.
In California, 10% of Legislature identifies as LGBTQ
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — While LGBTQ candidates and their supporters celebrated several milestone victories around the nation in this year's midterm elections, California quietly reached its own: At least 10% of its state lawmakers identify publicly as LGBTQ, believed to be a first for any U.S. legislature.
California’s Democratic AG Seeks to Keep State’s Top Law Job
Rob Bonta was one of 120 ambitious yet relatively obscure California state lawmakers just last year, but now he’s on the cusp of an election that could allow him to become the most populous state’s top lawman for nearly a decade. Bonta is heavily favored over Republican challenger Nathan Hochman when the votes are counted for attorney general Tuesday, given Democrats’ predominance in the deep blue state. He’s running to retain the office after fellow Democrat Gov.
Governor Blocks Charles Manson Follower's Parole, Saying She's a Public Safety Risk
California's governor blocked the parole of Charles Manson follower Patricia Krenwinkel on Friday, more than five decades after she scrawled “Helter Skelter” on a wall using the blood of one of their victims. Gov. Gavin Newsom said Krenwinkel, now 74, is still too much of a public safety risk to be freed. "Ms. Krenwinkel fully accepted Mr. Manson’s racist, apocalyptical ideologies," Newsom said. “Ms. Krenwinkel was not only a victim of Mr. Manson’s abuse.
Sherri Papini Sentenced to 18 Months for Kidnapping Hoax Original
A Northern California mother of two was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison for faking her own kidnapping so she could go back to a former boyfriend, which led to a three-week, multi-state search before she resurfaced on Thanksgiving Day in 2016. Sherri Papini, 40, pleaded guilty last spring under a plea bargain that also required her to pay more than $300,000 in restitution.
Sherri Papini Sentenced to 18 Months for Kidnapping Hoax
A Northern California mother of two was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison for faking her own kidnapping so she could go back to a former boyfriend, which led to a three-week, multi-state search before she resurfaced on Thanksgiving Day in 2016. Sherri Papini, 40, pleaded guilty last spring under a plea bargain that requires her to pay more than $300,000 in restitution.
California First to Make Firms Disclose Social Media Policies
California will impose first-of-its-kind requirements on social media companies to publish their policies for removing disturbing content including hate speech, with details on how and when they remove that content, under a bill signed into law by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom. “California will not stand by as social media is weaponized to spread hate and disinformation that threaten our communities and foundational values as a country,” Newsom said in a statement Tuesday announcing the signing.
California Could Add Wine, Liquor Bottles to Recycling Program
California would add wine and distilled spirits containers to its struggling recycling program, while giving beverage dealers another option to collect empty bottles and cans, under a measure lawmakers approved Wednesday. But critics say the bill would also give hundreds of millions of dollars to corporations they say don’t need the incentives.
California Not Expanding Teen Vaccines Without Parental Consent
California won't allow teens age 15 and up to be vaccinated against the coronavirus without their parents' consent. State Sen. Scott Wiener, the bill's author, announced Wednesday he won't put the measure up for a vote in the state Assembly because it doesn't have enough support to pass. Minors age 12 to 17 in California already can receive vaccinations for hepatitis B and HPV, which prevent sexually transmitted diseases, without permission from their parents or guardians.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A California man pleaded guilty Friday to plotting to blow up the state Democratic Party’s headquarters in what prosecutors said was the first in a planned series of politically-motivated attacks after the defeat of former President Donald Trump.
Ford pays $19 million to settle claims on fuel economy, payload; deal includes New Mexico
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Ford Motor Co. on Tuesday settled claims by 40 U.S. state attorneys general the company made misleading claims about the fuel economy and payload capacity of some of its vehicles, violating state consumer protection laws. The company agreed to pay $19.2 million to the states, which include New Mexico, and refrain from making misleading advertising claims as part of the settlement filed in San Diego Superior Court in California.
The spiraling number of overdose deaths and hospitalizations among California prison inmates fell dramatically during the first two years of a program that uses prescribed drugs to treat more incarcerated addicts than any such program in the country, officials said Tuesday. The rate of overdose deaths dropped 58% after the program began in 2020. Hospitalizations were 48% lower among those receiving the anti-craving drugs than among those waiting to begin treatment.
California COVID Cases Up, But No Plans to Add Restrictions
California has no plans to impose new statewide pandemic restrictions despite a rise in coronavirus cases primarily due to the new highly transmissible omicron variant BA.2, the state’s top health official says. The most populous state has seen “some slow but noticeable increase in our case rates” in the last 10 days, said Dr. Mark Ghaly, secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency.
California Woman Admits She Faked 2016 Kidnapping
Sherri Papini, the Northern California woman charged last month with faking her kidnapping in 2016, accepted a plea bargain with prosecutors Tuesday and acknowledged she made up the story that prompted a frantic search and international headlines. Defense attorney William Portanova said his client will plead guilty to charges of lying to a federal officer and mail fraud.
Law reduced prison time for man tied to Sacramento shooting
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A suspect arrested in connection with last weekend's mass shooting outside bars in Sacramento served less than half his 10-year sentence because of voter-approved changes to state law that lessened the punishment for his felony convictions and provided a chance for earlier release. Smiley Allen Martin was freed in February after serving time for punching a girlfriend, dragging her from her home by her hair and whipping her with a belt, according to court and prison records.
Sacramento Mass Shooting Suspect Served Less Time With California Law
A suspect arrested in connection with last weekend's mass shooting outside bars near the California state Capitol served less than half his 10-year sentence because of voter-approved changes to state law that lessened the punishment for his felony convictions and provided a chance for earlier release. Smiley Allen Martin was freed in February after serving time for punching a girlfriend, dragging her from her home by her hair and whipping her with a belt, according to court and prison records.
California May Seek to Empower Citizens to Sue Over Illegal Firearms
For all California's nation-leading attempts to regulate firearms, the state has not found a way to deter those happy to skirt the laws with stolen or homemade and increasingly prevalent “ghost” guns. In just two recent examples, police say the first weapon recovered after gunmen killed six people and wounded 12 in downtown Sacramento early Sunday had been stolen.
California May Seek to Empower Citizens to Sue Over Illegal Firearms
For all California's nation-leading attempts to regulate firearms, the state has not found a way to deter those happy to skirt the laws with stolen or homemade and increasingly prevalent “ghost” guns. In just two recent examples, police say the first weapon recovered after gunmen killed six people and wounded 12 in downtown Sacramento early Sunday had been stolen.
California is sitting on a $600 million pile of unclaimed nickel and dime deposits on recyclable cans and bottles and now wants to give some of that back to consumers. To get the state's nearly 40 million residents to recycle more and send more deposits back to them, Gov. Gavin Newsom's administration unveiled a plan Friday to temporarily double to a dime the refund for a 12-ounce (355 milliliters) bottle or can.
CA's governor wants mental health courts for homeless people
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - California's governor unveiled a plan Thursday to create mental health courts in every county, allowing treatment for more homeless people with severe mental health and addiction disorders but also compelling some of them into care, a move that many advocates of homeless people oppose as a violation of civil rights. Gov. Gavin Newsom said at a press conference that he has no intention of rounding people up and locking them away.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed sending money back to taxpayers to offset record-high gas prices but rejected calls to increase oil drilling, saying he wants to free the state “once and for all from the grasp of petro-dictators.” The average price for a gallon of gas in California is the nation's highest at $5.44,according to AAA — a number that is likely to increase after President Joe Biden banned Russian oil imports on Tuesday in response to the country's invasion of Ukraine.
Man Used ‘Ghost Gun’ to Kill 3 Daughters in Church
FILE - A memorial for the three young girls, who were slain by their father, David Mora, is seen outside The Church in Sacramento in Sacramento Calif., on Tuesday, March 1, 2022. Immigration officials told the Associated Press, Friday, March 4, 2022, that Mora had overstayed his visa after entering California from Mexico in December 2018 and was in the United States illegally.
Man Used ‘Ghost Gun’ to Kill 3 Daughters in Church
The gunman who killed his three daughters, a chaperone who was supervising his visit with the children and himself in a Northern California church this week was armed with an unregistered “ghost gun,” authorities said Friday. David Mora, 39, was armed with a homemade semiautomatic rifle-style weapon. He had an illegal 30-round ammunition magazine and 17 bullets were fired, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office said.
Man Used ‘Ghost Gun’ to Kill 3 Daughters in Church
The gunman who killed his three daughters, a chaperone who was supervising his visit with the children and himself in a Northern California church this week was armed with an unregistered “ghost gun,” authorities said Friday. David Mora, 39, was armed with a homemade semiautomatic rifle-style weapon. He had an illegal 30-round ammunition magazine and 17 bullets were fired, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office said.
Man used ‘ghost gun’ to kill 3 daughters in church
by: DON THOMPSON Posted: Mar 6, 2022 / 08:30 PM EST Updated: Mar 6, 2022 / 08:30 PM EST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California law enforcement officials say the gunman who killed his three daughters, a chaperone who was supervising his visit with the children and himself in a church was armed with an unregistered “ghost gun.” The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office says David Mora was armed with a homemade semiautomatic rifle-style weapon.
Man used ‘ghost gun’ to kill 3 daughters in church
DON THOMPSON, Associated Press March 4, 2022Updated: March 6, 2022 1:12 p.m. 4 1of4FILE - This undated photo provided by the Merced County Sheriff's Office shows David Mora, who was under a restraining order and not supposed to have a gun when authorities say he fatally shot his three daughters, a chaperone and himself during a supervised visit with the girls at a Northern California church, officials said Tuesday, March 1, 2022.
CA's governor wants mental health courts for homeless people
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California’s governor unveiled a plan Thursday to create mental health courts in every county, allowing treatment for more homeless people with severe mental health and addiction disorders but also compelling some of them into care, a move that many advocates of homeless people oppose as a violation of civil rights. Gov. Gavin Newsom said at a news conference he has no intention of rounding people up and locking them away.
CA's governor wants mental health courts for homeless people
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - California's governor unveiled a plan Thursday to create mental health courts in every county, allowing treatment for more homeless people with severe mental health and addiction disorders but also compelling some of them into care, a move that many advocates of homeless people oppose as a violation of civil rights. Gov. Gavin Newsom said at a press conference that he has no intention of rounding people up and locking them away.
Prosecutors: Woman Faked Kidnapping, Defrauded California
A Northern California woman whose disappearance and mysterious reappearance set off a frantic three-week search more than five years ago was arrested Thursday on charges of lying to federal agents about being kidnapped and defrauding the state's victim compensation board of $30,000.
CA's governor wants mental health courts for homeless people
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - California's governor unveiled a plan Thursday to create mental health courts in every county, allowing treatment for more homeless people with severe mental health and addiction disorders but also compelling some of them into care, a move that many advocates of homeless people oppose as a violation of civil rights. Gov. Gavin Newsom said at a press conference that he has no intention of rounding people up and locking them away.
California's governor unveiled a plan Thursday to offer more services to homeless people with severe mental health and addiction disorders even if that means forcing some into care, a move that many advocates of the homeless oppose as a violation of civil rights. The proposal by Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, would require all counties to set up a mental health branch in civil court and provide comprehensive and community-based treatment to those suffering from debilitating psychosis.
California Governor Proposes Plan to Force Some Homeless People Into Treatment
California's governor proposed a plan Thursday to offer more services to homeless people with severe mental health and addiction disorders even if that means forcing some into care, a move that many advocates of homeless people oppose as a violation of civil rights. The proposal by Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, would require all counties to set up a mental health branch in civil court and provide comprehensive and community-based treatment to those suffering from debilitating psychosis.
The former juror at the center of Scott Peterson’s bid for a new trial in the murder of his pregnant wife walked into the jury room during deliberations in 2004 and blurted out “that he should basically pay for killing ‘little man,’ ” a former fellow juror testified Tuesday.
‘Strawberry Shortcake’ the Focus as Scott Peterson Seeks New Trial
The juror at the heart of convicted murderer Scott Peterson’s retrial bid swore Friday that she had no animosity toward him until after she heard evidence that he had killed his pregnant wife in a case that grabbed worldwide attention in 2004. “Before the trial I didn’t have any anger or any resentment toward Scott at all. After the trial it was a bit true, because I sat through the trial and listened to the evidence,” testified former juror Richelle Nice.
‘Strawberry Shortcake’ the Focus as Scott Peterson Seeks New Trial
Convicted killer Scott Peterson's chance for a new trial in the murders of his pregnant wife and unborn son 20 years ago hinges on whether a California juror who helped send him to prison in 2004 amid worldwide publicity was biased because she was a domestic violence victim. Though she is identified in court documents only as Juror 7, Richelle Nice used her name when she co-authored a book about the case with six other jurors.
Coronavirus deaths in California have topped 80,000 and another 3,000 people are projected to die by month’s end even as infections, hospitalizations and intensive care cases are falling almost as fast as they climbed during the rapid-fire omicron wave of the pandemic. The toll reached 80,688 on Friday, according to data collected by Johns Hopkins University. That is the highest in the U.S., but the nation’s most populous state has a per capita death rate that is among the lowest at 38th.
California Senate aims to limit ‘junk science’ in courtrooms
FILE - Democratic state Sen. Scott Wiener speaks during the Senate session at the Capitol on Jan. 21, 2020, in Sacramento, Calif. On Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022, the state Senate approved Wiener's bill that would change the state's definition of false testimony to include expert court opinions based on flawed scientific research or outdated technology. The bill would also allow people to appeal if they previously were convicted based on discredited testimony. The bill now goes to the Assembly.
California Senate Aims to Limit ‘Junk Science’ in Courtrooms
California lawmakers on Wednesday moved to deter the use of what a legislator called “junk science” in the courtroom and give those convicted with questionable expert testimony a way out of prison. Senators approved changing the state’s definition of false testimony to include expert court opinions based on flawed scientific research or outdated technology, or where a reasonable scientific dispute has emerged over its validity.
California Aims to Fix ‘Broken’ Discipline System for Guards
California prison guards accused of abuse or other misconduct toward inmates are almost never punished so state corrections officials on Wednesday announced changes aimed at holding more accountable. Prison wardens now decide what inmate complaints to investigate and what if any punishment gets imposed. The plan would give inmates more time to file a complaint and have a unit at corrections headquarters do the initial review.
California aims to fix ‘broken’ discipline system for guards
FILE - In this June 20, 2018, file photo, inmates pass a correctional officer as they leave an exercise yard at the California Medical Facility in Vacaville, Calif. State corrections officials on Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021, proposed changes to hold prison guards accused of misconduct more accountable. The latest effort tries again to strip away some of a wardens' disciplinary powers, this time by centralizing the initial review of inmates' staff misconduct complaints in a separate headquarters unit.
California aims to fix ‘broken’ discipline system for guards
FILE - In this June 20, 2018, file photo, inmates pass a correctional officer as they leave an exercise yard at the California Medical Facility in Vacaville, Calif. State corrections officials on Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021, proposed changes to hold prison guards accused of misconduct more accountable. The latest effort tries again to strip away some of a wardens' disciplinary powers, this time by centralizing the initial review of inmates' staff misconduct complaints in a separate headquarters unit.
Father, Son Accused of Reckless Arson in Connection With Caldor Fire
Authorities have arrested a father and son accused of reckless arson in connection with the Caldor Fire, a massive wildfire that burned across the Sierra Nevada earlier this year, according to the El Dorado County District Attorney's Office. The district attorney's office identified the father and son as David Scott Smith, 66, and Travis Shane Smith, 32. The Caldor Fire broke out Aug. 14 near the community of Grizzly Flats. It went on to burn 221,835 acres before being contained on Oct.
Omicron Variant Won’t Spark California Shutdown: Newsom
Confirmation of the first U.S. case of the omicron variant in California was not surprising and shouldn’t force another shutdown heading into the holidays, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Wednesday. State health officials said they are increasing COVID-19 testing at California’s airports for arrivals from countries identified by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as being areas where the newly identified variant is spreading.
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