Deputy City Attorney Kandis Westmore
Oakland City Attorney
City Hall, 6th Floor
1 Frank Ogawa Plaza
Oakland, California 94612
Dear Ms. Westmore:
I am writing to urge you not to petition the California Supreme Court to review the case involving Freddie Marie Christian, in whose death the city of Oakland has been found liable because her ex-boyfriend was not arrested for violating a restraining order and subsequently killed her.
Perhaps it can not be proven that he would not have attacked her even if he had been arrested. It is, however, an extremely serious matter when officers do not take proper measures in cases of domestic violence. It seems as though many officers still feel that domestic disputes will resolve themselves, and many do not take threats against women seriously. The message needs to be sent that officers should always follow through with proper procedures in such cases.
I feel that the $270,000 awarded the victim’s children in this case is a low figure for punitive damages. I hope that you will let the case remain resolved as it is. Those who are employed to “protect and serve” should not be immune to the consequences resulting from failure to perform these duties.
Truly,
Liz Mann
