A federal jury found Sheriff Lee Baca personally liable for failing to stop inmate abuse at Men's Central Jail. Should the County step in and pay on his behalf? Then, Mexico still has a long way to go to improve their local police forces. What can be do to help reform it? Next, we preview the upcoming game with the Dodgers, and should community colleges be able to offer 4-year degree programs? Then, TGIF it's filmweek with our critics reviewing "The Fifth Estate," "Carrie," and more! Lastly, we talk with screenwriter John Ridley about "12 Years a Slave."
Should LA Sheriff Lee Baca be held financially liable for inmate abuse at county jail?
Los Angeles Sheriff Lee Baca could be on the hook for $100,000 for failing to stop inmate abuse in Men's Central Jail. A federal jury has found Baca personally liable in a deputy use-of-force case, in which plaintiff Tyler Willis alleged that county deputies punched and kicked him in 2009 while he was an inmate.
RELATED: LA Sheriff Baca held liable in jail inmate abuse case
Last week, the jury returned a verdict in Willis' favor and fined the four defendants -- Deputies Anthony Vasquez, Mark Farino and Pedro Guerrero, Capt. Daniel Cruz and Sheriff Baca -- a total of $165,000 in damages. Baca will pay $100,000 of the amount, with the other three defendants splitting the rest. Sheriff's officials said they will fight the verdict.
This is the first time Baca has been found personally liable for the case, but this is not the first time a law enforcement official has been held liable for what his/her charge has done. Back in 1992, a federal jury fined then-L.A. Police Chief Daryl F. Gates, along with a number of officers, over $44,000 in damages in a deadly shooting case. According to the Times, Gates was stuck with paying close to half of it, which the Los Angeles City Council eventually paid.
Should Sheriff Lee Baca be financially liable for inmate abuse carried out by his officers? Should the County step in and pay on his behalf?
Guests:
Joanna Schwartz, Assistant Professor of Law, UCLA Law School
Harry Stern, Principal Attorney, Rains Lucia Stern law firm; Stern is based in San Francisco; former police officer
Mexico still a long way away from improving local and federal police forces
The deadline for certifying hundreds of thousands of police nationwide in Mexico is October 29th and it is looking like they will be missing that deadline. Overhauling the police force has been one of the most important components for nearly a $2 billion U.S. aid package and one of the centerpiece issues for the government.
Will the Mexican Congress extend the deadline for vetting police? Have there been any successes in this attempt to overhaul the police force? In the United States, we hold up honesty in law enforcement as one of the most important ingredients in our democracy. What do Mexicans think about that? Are they simply numb to the effect of corrupt police, or do they know something we don’t?
Guests:
Tracy Wilkinson, Mexico City Bureau Chief, Los Angeles Times
Christopher Wilson, Associate for the Mexico Institute at the Woodrow Wilson Center for Scholars in Washington D.C.
Preview of Game 6 between the Dodgers and the Cardinals in St. Louis
After their monster win against the Cardinals in Game 5, the Dodgers are heading back to the Busch Stadium in St. Louis for another must-win ballgame. Ace pitcher Clayton Kershaw will take the mount. If that’s not enough, the Dodgers also have history on their side.
The Cardinals have blown a 3-1 lead in a postseason series four times and the last time that happened was in 2012 when they played against the San Francisco Giants. The Cards will send in rookie right-hander Michael Wacha, who bested Kershaw in Game 2.
A Dodgers win will set the stage for a decisive Game 7 tomorrow.
Guest:
Kevin Baxter, LA Times sports writer who’s covering Game 6 between the Dodgers and the Cardinals in St. Louis. He tweets at
Should California community colleges grant 4-year degrees? (Poll)
What if you could get a your BA at a community college? A 16-member panel is currently considering the idea for some majors. The panel is supposed to present a proposal at the end of the year, and the move would require legislative change as well as additional accreditation.
Many critics state the adjustments would go against California’s Master Plan for Higher Education that was put in place in the 1960s. As well as impose further on a community college system that is having a hard time meeting current student needs for classes and space.
But proponents for the switch say that the focus would be placed on majors with a technical emphasis such as computer engineering and nursing.
If California’s community college system does make the change it would join 21 other states that offer four-year degrees in limited fields.
But even if community colleges can grant 4-year degrees how long will it take to be in place? What would be the majors? What would be the impact to private and public four year colleges? And will the new four year track take away from students still attending community college to get an Associates degree or transfer to another school?
Guests:
William Scroggins, President and CEO of Mt. San Antonio College
Norton Grubb, Professor Emeritus at UC Berkeley's Graduate School of Education
Filmweek: 12 Years a Slave, The Fifth Estate, All Is Lost and more
Larry is joined by KPCC critics Henry Sheehan and Lael Loewenstein to review this week's releases, including 12 Years a Slave, The Fifth Estate, Carrie and more! TGI-Filmweek!
12 Years a Slave
The Fifth Estate
All Is Lost
Guests:
Henry Sheehan, film critic for KPCC and CriticsAGoGo.com
Lael Loewenstein, film critic for KPCC and Variety
'12 Years a Slave' screenwriter John Ridley tackles slavery, survival and America’s tragic history
Updated 3/3/14: For the first time, a film directed by a black filmmaker — Steve McQueen of "12 Years a Slave" — won best picture, leading the usually sedate filmmaker to jump up and down in celebration after his acceptance speech.
The film also garnered an Oscar for Adapted Screenplay, which went to screenwriter John Ridley.
The film portrays the gripping true story of a man’s fight to survive after being sold into slavery. Set before the Civil War, Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor) is a free black man from New York. He is taken from his home and sold into slavery.
He struggles to stay alive at the hand of his slave owner, played by Michael Fassbender. During his twelfth year of enduring constant pain and struggles he meets a Canadian abolitionist (Brad Pitt) who will change the direction of Northup’s life.
Ridley spoke with AirTalk's Larry Mantle last fall about the process of adapting Northup's book for the screen. He immersed himself in the 1800s to write the film. Ridley’s other writing credits include "Sending My Love to Linda," "Three Kings," and "Red Tails."
Guest:
John Ridley, Screenwriter, “12 Years a Slave,” “Red Tails,” and “Three Kings”