Author | Lightnews

California's Longest-Serving Death Row Man Alleges Racial Bias in Sentencing - Davis Vanguard

California Racial Justice Act @californiarja.bsky.social · 4d

⚖️ Prosecutorial Reply

Fresno County DA’s office opposes the RJA motion:

🔹 Argues no evidence of bias
🔹 Claims defense “opened the door” to cultural testimony
🔹 Asserts motion is untimely

More info & full text below

Visit the CA RJA Hub in bio
#DeathRow #RacialJusticeAct #RJA #DeathPenalty #PC745

Douglas "Chief" Stankewitz, California's longest-serving individual on death row, is seeking relief under the California Racial Justice Act, arguing that racial bias tainted his conviction and sentenc...

California's Longest-Serving Death Row Man Alleges Racial Bias in Sentencing - Davis Vanguard

California Racial Justice Act @californiarja.bsky.social · 4d

🚨 Batson/Wheeler Claim

Stankewitz’s team challenges the removal of the only Native juror, arguing it was racially motivated.

Prosecutors say she knew his family—a neutral reason for her association.

Defense: The strike still raises serious constitutional concerns.

More info & full text ⬇️

#CARJA

Douglas "Chief" Stankewitz, California's longest-serving individual on death row, is seeking relief under the California Racial Justice Act, arguing that racial bias tainted his conviction and sentenc...

California's Longest-Serving Death Row Man Alleges Racial Bias in Sentencing - Davis Vanguard

California Racial Justice Act @californiarja.bsky.social · 6d

“The prosecution elicited racially charged testimony… and urged jurors to impose death because of Mr. Stankewitz’s background,” the motion states.

Prosecutors linked cultural identity with future dangerousness.

More info below ⬇️

#RJA #EqualProtection #SystemicRacism #CARJA #DeathPenalty #PC745

Douglas "Chief" Stankewitz, California's longest-serving individual on death row, is seeking relief under the California Racial Justice Act, arguing that racial bias tainted his conviction and sentenc...

California's Longest-Serving Death Row Man Alleges Racial Bias in Sentencing - Davis Vanguard

California Racial Justice Act @californiarja.bsky.social · 13d

Case Background

Stankewitz, of Native American heritage, was sentenced to death after a 1978 Fresno County trial. In his recent § 745 motion, he alleges the prosecution relied on racial stereotypes and removed the only Native juror.

#DeathRow #RJA #CARJA #DeathPenalty #PC745
More info & full text⬇️

Douglas "Chief" Stankewitz, California's longest-serving individual on death row, is seeking relief under the California Racial Justice Act, arguing that racial bias tainted his conviction and sentenc...

California's Longest-Serving Death Row Man Alleges Racial Bias in Sentencing - Davis Vanguard

California Racial Justice Act @californiarja.bsky.social · 13d

California’s Longest-Serving Death Row Prisoner Brings RJA Challenge

Douglas “Chief” Stankewitz, incarcerated since 1978, has filed for relief under California’s Racial Justice Act—arguing that racial bias shaped his capital conviction and sentence.

#RacialJusticeAct #CARJA #DeathPenalty #PC745

Douglas "Chief" Stankewitz, California's longest-serving individual on death row, is seeking relief under the California Racial Justice Act, arguing that racial bias tainted his conviction and sentenc...

California Ethics Committee Issues Opinion on Disqualification and Disclosure Requirements under the Racial Justice Act

3

California Racial Justice Act @californiarja.bsky.social · 15d

Bottom Line: CJEO 2025-028 does not force former DAs off every RJA case—but it affirms the right to transparency and fairness.

It is a tool for both litigators and judges to navigate complex procedural and ethical issues under California’s Racial Justice Act.

More info & full text ⬇️ #CaliforniaRJA

Committee provides guidance for judges with prior experience as prosecutors handling discovery motions under the Racial Justice Act.

California Ethics Committee Issues Opinion on Disqualification and Disclosure Requirements under the Racial Justice Act

California Racial Justice Act @californiarja.bsky.social · 17d

📌Practice Tip for RJA Litigators:

If a former DA hears your RJA motion, consider:

✅ Asking for on-record disclosure of any prior involvement with your client

✅ Citing CJEO 2025-028 to frame your disqualification motion

More info & full text ⬇️

#RJA #PC745 #RacialJusticeAct #CARJA #JudicialEthics

Committee provides guidance for judges with prior experience as prosecutors handling discovery motions under the Racial Justice Act.

California Ethics Committee Issues Opinion on Disqualification and Disclosure Requirements under the Racial Justice Act

California Racial Justice Act @californiarja.bsky.social · 22d

👥 About CJEO

CJEO is an independent ethics advisory committee appointed by the CA Supreme Court.

Its formal opinions are nonbinding but widely respected and followed.

More info & full text ⬇️

#CJEO2025_028 #PC745 #RacialJusticeAct #CARJA #JudicialEthics

Committee provides guidance for judges with prior experience as prosecutors handling discovery motions under the Racial Justice Act.

California Ethics Committee Issues Opinion on Disqualification and Disclosure Requirements under the Racial Justice Act

California Racial Justice Act @californiarja.bsky.social · 26d

🗣️ Judge Samantha Jessner (CJEO):

“This opinion provides timely and practical guidance for judges navigating the complexities of RJA claims.”

The goal is to protect public confidence in the judiciary without blanket exclusions.

More info below ⬇️

#JudicialImpartiality #PC745 #CARJA #JudicialEthics

Committee provides guidance for judges with prior experience as prosecutors handling discovery motions under the Racial Justice Act.

California Ethics Committee Issues Opinion on Disqualification and Disclosure Requirements under the Racial Justice Act

California Racial Justice Act @californiarja.bsky.social · Sep 29

📚Context

The opinion addresses growing concerns about judicial impartiality in RJA litigation, particularly in counties where former prosecutors now serve on the bench.

CJEO affirms that prior prosecutorial experience alone does not equal automatic disqualification.

More info & full text ⬇️
#CARJA

Committee provides guidance for judges with prior experience as prosecutors handling discovery motions under the Racial Justice Act.

California Ethics Committee Issues Opinion on Disqualification and Disclosure Requirements under the Racial Justice Act

California Racial Justice Act @californiarja.bsky.social · Sep 26

📢 Disclosure is Key

CJEO: Judges who choose not to disqualify must disclose on the record any facts “reasonably relevant” to that determination.

That includes the judge’s own reasoning for staying on the case.

More info & full text ⬇️

#Transparency #RacialJusticeAct #PC745 #CARJA #JudicialEthics

Committee provides guidance for judges with prior experience as prosecutors handling discovery motions under the Racial Justice Act.

California Ethics Committee Issues Opinion on Disqualification and Disclosure Requirements under the Racial Justice Act

California Racial Justice Act @californiarja.bsky.social · Sep 24

⚖️ When Must a Judge Recuse?

➡️ If the judge prosecuted the defendant in the same or related case

➡️ If the judge’s former role creates a reasonable doubt about impartiality

➡️ Even if not disqualified, mandatory disclosure applies

More info & full text ⬇️

#CAJudiciary #RJA #PC745 #RacialJusticeAct

Committee provides guidance for judges with prior experience as prosecutors handling discovery motions under the Racial Justice Act.

California Ethics Committee Issues Opinion on Disqualification and Disclosure Requirements under the Racial Justice Act

California Racial Justice Act @californiarja.bsky.social · Sep 21

🧑‍⚖️ Core Holding:

A judge is not automatically disqualified from hearing an RJA discovery motion just because they previously served as a prosecutor in other cases that may now be subject to RJA claims.

👇 Learn more below 👇

#CARJA #JudicialEthics #PC745 #CaliforniaRacialJusticeAct #RJA

Committee provides guidance for judges with prior experience as prosecutors handling discovery motions under the Racial Justice Act.

California Ethics Committee Issues Opinion on Disqualification and Disclosure Requirements under the Racial Justice Act

California Racial Justice Act @californiarja.bsky.social · Sep 19

Important ethics update for RJA practitioners, judges, & advocates:

The CA Supreme Court’s Committee on Judicial Ethics Opinions just issued CJEO Formal Opinion 2025-028, clarifying disqualification & disclosure rules under the Racial Justice Act (PC § 745).

👇 Learn More Below

#PC745 #CARJA #RJA

Committee provides guidance for judges with prior experience as prosecutors handling discovery motions under the Racial Justice Act.

3

California Racial Justice Act @californiarja.bsky.social · Sep 2

📌 Lashon answers:

❓ Can defendants raise § 745(a)(2) claims for the first time on appeal?

✅ Only if forfeiture exceptions apply.

❓ Does AB 1118 eliminate preservation?

❌ No.

Full case breakdown: californiarja.wordpress.com/2025/08/24/p...

#RJA #PC745 #AB1118 #CaliforniaRacialJusticeAct #CARJA

Court: California Court of Appeal, First Appellate District, Division Three Case No.: A163074 Opinion Date: January 8, 2024 Citation: 2024 WL 95553 Status: Published Posture: Appeal from criminal c…

California Racial Justice Act @californiarja.bsky.social · Aug 28

✏️ Strategic lessons from Lashon:

File early RJA motions to preserve claims

Use post-verdict motions when possible

Be specific in stay/remand requests

Keep habeas in mind

Full analysis: californiarja.wordpress.com/2025/08/24/p...

#RJA #CAcourts #CaliforniaRacialJusticeAct #PC745 #AB1118 #AB256

Court: California Court of Appeal, First Appellate District, Division Three Case No.: A163074 Opinion Date: January 8, 2024 Citation: 2024 WL 95553 Status: Published Posture: Appeal from criminal c…

California Racial Justice Act @californiarja.bsky.social · Aug 28

“Even if counsel did not want to antagonize the trial judge during trial, a § 745 motion could have been filed immediately after sentencing rationale.” – People v. Lashon

👉 Full write-up: californiarja.wordpress.com/2025/08/24/p...

#RJA #CaliforniaRacialJusticeAct #PC745 #AB1118 #AB256

Court: California Court of Appeal, First Appellate District, Division Three Case No.: A163074 Opinion Date: January 8, 2024 Citation: 2024 WL 95553 Status: Published Posture: Appeal from criminal c…

California Racial Justice Act @californiarja.bsky.social · Aug 27

Habeas Path

🧰Lashon shows that forfeited RJA claims may still survive via habeas corpus petitions.

Appellate relief denied, but habeas remains a safety net.

Read the full breakdown: californiarja.wordpress.com/2025/08/24/p...

#Postconviction #CARJA #PC745 #AB1118 #CaliforniaRacialJusticeAct #RJA

Court: California Court of Appeal, First Appellate District, Division Three Case No.: A163074 Opinion Date: January 8, 2024 Citation: 2024 WL 95553 Status: Published Posture: Appeal from criminal c…

California Racial Justice Act @californiarja.bsky.social · Aug 26

💡Practitioner Practice Tip: If you see judicial bias at trial, file a § 745 motion immediately or post-verdict. In Lashon, failure to object meant forfeiture—despite AB 1118.

More lessons: californiarja.wordpress.com/2025/08/24/p...

#TrialTips #CARJA #PC745 #AB1118 #CaliforniaRacialJusticeAct #RJA

Court: California Court of Appeal, First Appellate District, Division Three Case No.: A163074 Opinion Date: January 8, 2024 Citation: 2024 WL 95553 Status: Published Posture: Appeal from criminal c…

California Racial Justice Act @californiarja.bsky.social · Aug 25

AB 1118 Clarified

⚖️ Lashon is the first appellate case post–AB 1118 clarifying direct appeal under § 745.

Key lesson: Expanded appellate review ≠ free pass.

Preservation still matters.

Details + analysis: californiarja.wordpress.com/2025/08/24/p...

#RJA #AppellatePractice #AB1118 #PC745

Court: California Court of Appeal, First Appellate District, Division Three Case No.: A163074 Opinion Date: January 8, 2024 Citation: 2024 WL 95553 Status: Published Posture: Appeal from criminal c…

California Racial Justice Act @californiarja.bsky.social · Aug 24

📄 Case Spotlight: People v. Lashon (1st Dist. Ct. App., Div. 3)

Court affirms conviction, holding that RJA claims raised for the first time on appeal are forfeited absent an exception—even post–AB 1118.

Full write-up ⬇️Read more @ the CA RJA Resource Hub

#CARJA #RJA #CAcourts #AB1118 #AB256 #PC745

Court: California Court of Appeal, First Appellate District, Division Three Case No.: A163074 Opinion Date: January 8, 2024 Citation: 2024 WL 95553 Status: Published Posture: Appeal from criminal c…

Court: California Court of Appeal, Sixth Appellate District Case No.: H050597 Opinion Date: June 12, 2025 Published: No Status: Review Denied Full Opinion: Link to full opinion (PDF) Overview: In P…

California Racial Justice Act @californiarja.bsky.social · Aug 22

“The AG concedes that calling Wagstaff a ‘strong young buck’ was inappropriate. We do not disagree, but the issue was not preserved.” – People v. Wagstaff

👉 Full case analysis ⬇️

Follow more RJA updates @ californiarja.wordpress.com

#RJA #CaliforniaRacialJusticeAct #AB256

📄 People v. Wagstaff

Court: California Court of Appeal, Sixth Appellate District Case No.: H050597 Opinion Date: June 12, 2025 Published: No Status: Review Denied Full Opinion: Link to full opinion (PDF) Overview: In P…

California Racial Justice Act @californiarja.bsky.social · Aug 22

📸 Big Picture

✏️ People v. Wagstaff (2025) reminds us:

Racially coded judicial remarks may be conceded as bias but still dismissed if not objected to.

§ 231.7 strikes require a full record.

Appellate courts remain reluctant to remand absent preservation.

Read the full write-up below⬇️
#CaRJA #RJA

📄 People v. Wagstaff

Court: California Court of Appeal, Sixth Appellate District Case No.: H050597 Opinion Date: June 12, 2025 Published: No Status: Review Denied Full Opinion: Link to full opinion (PDF) Overview: In P…

California Racial Justice Act @californiarja.bsky.social · Aug 21

‼️On Jury Selection

In Wagstaff, the 6th District upheld a prosecutor’s strike of a Black juror under CCP § 231.7. Race-neutral explanation: juror didn’t trust police.

🧰 Takeaway: Practitioners must request comparative juror analysis to rebut “neutral” reasons.

Full breakdown ⬇️
#CaliforniaRJA #RJA

📄 People v. Wagstaff