Inside The County

Alana Matthews Thien Ho

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VOTERS TO DECIDE PROSECUTOR’S PRIORITIES

With incumbent District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert vacating her offi ce to run for state attorney general, voters in June will make a choice on the direction of law enforcement prosecutions in Sacramento County.

The contest is between current Assistant Chief Deputy District Attorney Thien Ho and Alana Matthews, a former member of the district attorney’s offi ce who now works for Prosecutors Alliance of California.

The winner will determine whether Sacramento County retains its reputation for law and order or embarks on a journey toward progressive criminal justice reform.

Ho served as Schubert’s chief prosecutor on the Golden State Killer case. He has her endorsement, along with support from law enforcement. Matthews has support from criminal justice progressives.

The Prosecutors Alliance is committed to criminal justice reform

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By Howard Schmidt Inside The County

and has endorsed Matthews. The group’s advisory board includes San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin and his Los Angeles counterpart George Gascon.

Boudin implemented a progressive platform that essentially reduced criminal prosecutions. He faces a recall election in June. Gascon is another self-described progressive. The union representing deputy district attorneys in L.A. County sued Gascon over his directive to stop sentencing enhancements. A recall petition is being pursued.

Ho and Matthews are both Democrats and graduates of McGeorge School of Law. Ho fl ed Vietnam as a child refugee with his family. He attended UC Davis and has been a prosecutor for 20 years.

Matthews attended Spelman College in Atlanta, one of the nation’s historic Black universities. After eight years with the district attorney’s offi ce, she worked for the California Energy Commission and state Legislature before embarking on criminal justice reform.

The candidates would take different approaches as district attorney.

Matthews says, “From the time of arrest through charging and sentencing, the criminal justice system is plagued by systemic racism.” Ho disagrees and says he “has never encountered a prosecutor who made decisions based on race.”

Craig Robert Fechter

1976-2022

A Native of Sacramento, CA. Since graduating from Sacramento State University, Craig founded his own CPA Firm, Fechter & CO.

Craig is survived by his wife, his six children, his parents, siblings, nieces, nephews and friends alike.

He will be missed by all who have known him.

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Ho says the district attorney’s offi ce makes decisions based on facts and law. He calls Matthews’ campaign insinuation about the offi ce’s policies and procedures a “political statement.”

Matthews says if elected she would not pursue the death penalty. Ho believes death is an appropriate remedy that should not be abandoned in certain rare situations. The state’s death penalty requires a thorough review for each applicable case, Ho says. The issue is moot for now as Gov. Gavin Newsom suspended the state’s death penalty in 2019.

Ho supports a bail policy that is equitable to all communities. He explains bail shouldn’t be based on one’s bank account but stresses it must be assessed on risk to public safety. Progressives advocate a no-bail approach based upon social equity, increasing the odds for offenders to repeat criminal acts as they revolve through the system.

The Sacramento County Deputy Sheriff’s Association endorsed Ho. Other endorsements come from Crime Victims United, former District Attorney Jan Scully, and former sheriffs Lou Blanas and John McGinness.

Ho has the backing of the Sacramento Police Offi cers Association and California Association of Highway Patrolmen, plus Sacramento County Supervisor Rich Desmond of Carmichael, a retired CHP offi cer.

Matthews’ endorsements include the California Legislative Black Caucus and Indivisible Sacramento, a grassroots organization “working to oppose the Trump agenda,” plus the Wellstone Progressive Democrats of Sacramento.

Additional supporters for Matthews are Mayor Darrell Steinberg and progressive City Council members Katie Valenzuela and Mai Vang.

Basically, the contest comes down to retaining current prosecutorial values or diverting to a progressive social justice agenda as practiced in San Francisco and Los Angeles counties.

Howard Schmidt worked on federal, state and local levels of government, including 16 years for Sacramento County. He can be reached at howardschmidt218@aol.com. Previous columns can be found and shared at InsideSacramento.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @ insidesacramento. n

THEATRE GUIDE THEATRE GUIDE

CLUE: The Musical

May 4 – May 22 Sac Theatre Company 1419 H St, Sac 95814 Sactheatre.org

Based on the internationally popular board game, this fun-filled musical brings the world’s best-known suspects to life and invites audience members to pick the who, what, and where cards and then play along to help solve the mystery: who killed Mr. Boddy, where in the mansion, and with what weapon. There are over 200 possible solutions but only one hard-nosed female detective is qualified to unravel the merry mayhem. Comic antics, interactive fun, and a possible surprise twist await you in this clever who-dunnit! Subscriptions are currently on sale for our 2021-2022 in-person Season of WHO, WHAT & WHERE. Single tickets go on sale September 7th. The ASL Interpreted performance will take place on Friday, May 20th at 8:00pm

The Barber of Seville

May 7 Presented by Sacramento Philharmonic and Opera SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center 1301 L St, Sac Sacphilopera.org

Many years ago, two great composers once met in Vienna. “Rossini, I congratulate you. The Barber of Seville delights me. It will be played as long as opera exists,” Ludwig van Beethoven excitedly told him! The Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera presents Rossini’s masterpiece, The Barber of Seville. Fully staged, with costumes, lighting, and sets – at the new SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center. The Barber of Seville will truly be a performance to remember!

Tootsi

May 17 – May 22 Presented by Broadway Sacramento SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center 1301 L St, Sac Broadwaysacramento.com

Call it “musical comedy heaven” (Rolling Stone). Call it “the most uproarious new musical in years!” (The Hollywood Reporter). Call it TOOTSIE! This laugh-out-loud love letter to the theatre tells the story of a talented but difficult actor who struggles to find work until one show-stopping act of desperation lands him the role of a lifetime. “In these turbulent times, when the world seems out of balance, we need a place to let the good times roll,” raves Rolling Stone. “TOOTSIE is it!”

Livin’ Fat

May 6 – May29 Celebration Arts 2727 B St, Sac Celebrationarts.net

LIVIN’ FAT, directed by Michael Benjamin. Set in the 70s, the Carter family is guaranteed to warm your heart and make you smile.