UPDATE: This piece has been updated to include a statement from the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office.
District Attorney George Gascon’s office allowed a repeat offender to continuously get diversion instead of jail time, and that individual murdered an innocent father of two last month, according to Fox News.
Jade Simone Brookfield had an extensive rap sheet prior to allegedly fatally stabbing Dennis Banner, including four prior incidents involving stabbing, at one point allegedly puncturing someone’s lung, Fox News reported. Brookfield was continuously sent to mental health treatment and diversion programs, despite her repeated knife attacks.
The murder happened in April, but law enforcement was prohibited from talking about the details of the case until recently. L.A. District Attorney George Gascon received $4.7 million in donations through the Justice and Public Safety PAC, which is funded at least in part by George Soros, a billionaire philanthropist who has spent millions bankrolling progressive legislators across the country. (RELATED: Americans Continue To Flee Crime-Ridden Blue Cities For The Burbs And Red States, New Census Data Shows)
Brookfield was released on diversion or mental health treatment in response to all four of her prior violent crimes during Gascon’s time in office, according to Fox News. “We appreciate the public concern when someone is participating in a mental health program and allegedly commits a serious crime,” said Gascon’s office to Fox News.
“Our prosecutors make the best decisions they can in light of all the available information. Our heart goes out to all the victims in this matter, and we stand ready to support them on their journey to healing.” Gascon’s office said.
Jade Simone Brookfield, 23, had a lengthy arrest record but was never jailed before she allegedly killed Dennis Banner, a father of two young girls. https://t.co/pQd455reO7
— FOX 11 Los Angeles (@FOXLA) May 3, 2023
Brookfield was arrested in 2020 and charged with attempted murder after she allegedly punctured someone’s lung with a knife; she was given a mental health diversion plan, Fox News reported. In 2021 she was charged again for battery of a peace officer; she was yet again given a diversion plan and Gascon’s office dismissed the case.
“In each instance, a judge carefully weighed the evidence against the defendant and determined diversion or alternative remedies were appropriate,” said a representative from Los Angeles District Attorney’s office to the Daily Caller News Foundation. “We appreciate the public concern when someone is participating in a mental health program and allegedly commits a serious crime,” they said.
Within six months, Brookfield was arrested two more times for crimes involving knives and each time she avoided jail time. Each of those incidents involved Brookfield allegedly welding knives at innocent people and threatening their lives.
“Releasing people back onto the streets with no supervision is not the answer,” said vice president of the L.A. Association of Deputy District Attorneys, Eric Siddall, to Fox News. “LA County needs to build out a system that includes lockdown mental health facilities to treat those with serious mental health concerns,” he said.
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