Dumanis takes a pass on the Busby fundraising imbroglio(Dem Fundraiser cops raided)

[RamboLiberal]

Source: San Diego Union Tribune

ENCINITAS — After a nearly two-month investigation, District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis said Tuesday she has decided not to pursue charges against two women who were arrested at a fundraiser for congressional candidate Francine Busby.

The fundraiser, held at a private home in Encinitas on June 26, was forcibly broken up by sheriff's deputies responding to a noise complaint.

Charges also will not be filed against a deputy who pepper sprayed guests at the event.

Shari Barman and Pamela Morgan were arrested after a confrontation with a deputy when Barman refused to give her date of birth. The deputy used pepper spray on guests after they crowded around him. A call for backup drew a helicopter, six patrol cars and a police dog to the upscale neighborhood in Cardiff.

Sheriff's deputies then arrested Barman, 60, on suspicion of obstructing a peace officer and battery on a peace officer. Morgan, 62, was arrested on suspicion of resisting, delaying and obstructing a peace officer.


Read more: http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/aug/25/encinitas-8212-after-nearly-two-month-investigatio/?northcounty&zIndex=155148

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Geesh that should've been dismissed in less than 5 minutes, not 2 months!

TPM's coverage

Let's take a moment to examine a now-notorious arrest that occurred at a private home, and made headlines around the country -- no, not Henry Louis Gates, but the fundraiser for Democratic House candidate Francine Busby (CA-50), which was raided by the San Diego County Sheriff's Department several weeks ago.

You may recall that attendees at this house party said a heckler shouted anti-gay slurs over a fence, and about an hour later a deputy paid a less than friendly visit to the event, saying that a noise complaint had been made about a Democratic rally. One thing led to another, and a bunch of middle-aged Dems got pepper-sprayed, and a full back-up of officers came -- including dogs and a helicopter.

I checked in with Busby today for the latest news, and she walked me through how the county district attorney's office had taken over the investigation. "They've been very diligent about contacting all of the guests who attended, not just those who were there later," Busby told me. "And the feeling I'm getting back from people is that they're handling it very professionally, and people have been very comfortable with the procedures."

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/ca-50/?ref=fpblg

[Joanie Baloney]

1. It actually was a good decision

Bonnie's been making a few bone-headed moves lately so we were holding our breaths. I would think all concerned parties will be able to accept this decision and learn from it.

-JB

[Gman2]

2. Funny how docile they get when the situ is political.

I got raided, and there was no investigation. No we're sorry and it wont happen again. Prolly the same cops.

[MindPilot]

3. I have a hard time buying the idea that the heckler and the complainant

are not the same person as mentioned in the TPM article.

I wish this one had gotten as much airplay as the Gates incident because it was a much more clear cut case of police being too authoritarian.