Reader's comments on this article Add a new comment on this article

from time out Thursday, July 12, 2007 - 17:15 (Agree/Disagree?) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Frank Mateljan THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2007 (213) 978-8340 L.A. CITY ATTORNEY ROCKY DELGADILLO SECURES CONVICTION, JAIL SENTENCE IN SWASTIKA POSTING CASE LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo has secured a nine month jail sentence and mandatory psychological counseling for a Los Angeles man convicted of posting swastikas and anti-Semitic messages to the front of the Sherman Oaks field office of Los Angeles Council Member JackWeiss. Adonis A. Irwin, 32, pled no contest to one count of vandalism, posting a swastika on private property, and one count of hate crime-related vandalism, trespassing, and resisting arrest. Irwin was sentenced to nine months in county jail and 3 years of probation. In addition, the court ordered Irwin to participate in ongoing psychological treatment and to stay at least 200 yards away from Council Member Weiss, his staff, and three field offices. Charges against Irwin stem from a May 3rd incident when he was observed gluing sheets of paper onto the door of Council Member Jack Weiss’ field office in Sherman Oaks. Three of the pieces of paper contained Nazi swastikas and two others contained printed messages with anti-Semitic rants. Irwin was identified by witnesses and later arrested on May 5. A progress report is scheduled for October 2, when Irwin must show proof of enrollment in the counseling program. (reply to this comment)

From Hansel Thursday, July 12, 2007, 22:53 (Agree/Disagree?) There is no doubt that Delgadillo's office threw the book at him on this case b/c it was a political necessity to do so.(reply to this comment)

From Dorothea Dix Thursday, July 12, 2007, 18:39 (Agree/Disagree?) Los Angeles County Jail is reputed to be the largest de facto mental institution in the United States. On any given night, it houses over 3,300 individuals with a serious mental illness. "It appears that there is not a single county, among the 3,139 counties in the United States, in which the psychiatric facility serving that county has as many individuals with severe psychiatric disorders as does the county jail." From Treatment Advocacy Center Fact sheet on criminalization of mental illness as a public health policy in the United States: http://www.psychlaws.org/GeneralResources/Fact3.htm If you think vandalism doesn't warrant nine months in jail and a mandate to enroll in treatment, then you don't understand how the U.S. healthcare system works, or fails to work, for people with serious psychiatric disorders. (reply to this comment)

from afflick Saturday, July 07, 2007 - 14:12 (Agree/Disagree?) That's ridiculous! Nine months for vandalism?! And I. "Scooter" Libby pays a fine from his defense fund and walks free. I do not agree with the judge's decision and have a feeling it was mandated by those strict sentencing guidelines the Bush administration is so in favor. Except for their scape goat, of course, he gets clemency. But this is not a political post. This is such a sad outcome for Don, his family, his friends and all of us. I truly believe that Don was misguided in chosen method of protest and needs counselling for a lot of his recent behavor. Jail will be a detrement to him, not a reform. Don is a grown adult who needs to be responsible for his behavior, true. But sending him into prison for close to a year where he will face all kinds of horrific occurences is an even worse crime. (reply to this comment)

From Who knows... Monday, July 09, 2007, 06:51 (Agree/Disagree?) I do agree that 9 months is a little harsh, however I wonder what did happen in that court room. I wonder if the stiff penalties were because of Don's combative attitude and his arrogance that he was still right. For all we know he offered to put the "smak down" on the DA because needed some more "relaxation" I do think that time served and some counseling would have been better for him tho. I feel for his family and hope he completes counselling and gets out early for good behavior. (reply to this comment)

From Theory of the case Monday, July 09, 2007, 11:44 (Agree/Disagree?) This was a plea deal...the statutory penalty allows up to 4 years. The prosecutor & his lawyer probably convinced him to take the 9 months (1/2 if good behavior), instead of risk his chances with a jury & getting slapped w/ a longer sentence. Based on the facts we know, I don't know if I would have taken the plea. It would be risky to go to trial but then again, he has a pretty good story to tell: No criminal record or history of violence, good employment, pure motives to help cult kids, simply a little mistake based on his anger after a govt official rudely refused to help. Also, the case would turn on whether Weiss & his staff felt "treatened or terrorized" by it. Hard to prove, given that they knew who did it and what his motives were. Would an average Ventura County juror be persuaded to convict?(reply to this comment)

From so Saturday, July 14, 2007, 20:27 (Agree/Disagree?) You seem pretty confident that Weiss' staff "knew who did it" AND "what his motives were". But if he was acting as irrational as some of what was seen on this site before the incident, there is no guarantee they could read his mind like that. Even some of his beefs with people here were inscrutable or nonsensical.(reply to this comment)

From Theory of the case Saturday, July 14, 2007, 20:46 (Agree/Disagree?) Clearly you were one of those people he had a beef with. Funny how it seemed non-sensical to you. To the rest of us, both his beefs and your responses back seemed more amusing then anything.(reply to this comment)

From Samuel Monday, July 09, 2007, 05:40 (Agree/Disagree?) I'm afraid jail might not help him. From the get go, they misunderstand his reasons behind what he did. No, it wasn't racism, it wasn't a hate crime, you morons! He was trying to express his opinion that Weiss was somehow racist because he didn't offer him help! It wasn't the right thing to do, but he's disturbed! He probably didn't even realzie that the man was Jewish. That's the only way he knew to express his feelings! But they don't understand that, so I really don't think they will be able to help him while he's in jail. And in that way, Don is a victim of the system. I just hope that maybe the counseling he has been ordered to undergo may help him, because he certainly needs it. (reply to this comment)

From shikaka Sunday, July 08, 2007, 13:37 (Agree/Disagree?) I agree. Any sane person would be hard pressed to emerge from person a "reformed" man. This sentence solves nothing, just adds fuel to his fire.(reply to this comment)

From note Monday, July 09, 2007, 05:17 (Agree/Disagree?) It says he has to undergo counselling so that's the good side. Let's hope it does good and that he'll take time out to reflect.(reply to this comment)

From Hansel Saturday, July 07, 2007, 22:10 (Agree/Disagree?) I for one was surprised they could call this a hate crime but here is Penal Code 11411 in California (abridged) which makes it a misdemeanor for: Any person: a. Who places or displays b. A sign, mark, symbol, emblem , or other physical impression , including, but not limited to, a nazi swastika c. On the private property of another, without authorization, d. In reckless disregard of the risk of terrorizing the owner or occupant of that private property. ++++++++++++++(reply to this comment)