Why is Alameda Countys new DA undoing death penalty case reviews?

Ursula Jones Dickson, appointed as Alameda County's new district attorney, has initiated moves to reverse the resentencing reviews of death penalty cases that were started by former DA Pamela Price. These reviews aimed to address systemic racial and religious bias in jury selections that led to the wrongful sentencing of individuals, resulting in 20 prisoners being removed from death row. Defense attorney Brian Pomerantz accused Jones Dickson of politically motivated actions that seek to obscure decades of prosecutorial misconduct. The current DA's team has criticized the previous administration for alleged inaccuracies in their reviews and a lack of proper victim outreach during the resentencing process. Jones Dickson has publicly stated her obligation to review each case individually and refrained from commenting on ongoing matters.

This week’s hearings revealed extensive evidence of past misconduct, including discriminatory practices against Black and Jewish jurors. The conflict underscores the challenges in addressing historical injustices within the criminal justice system. As the debate continues, many await the outcomes of pending resentencing petitions in Alameda County.