CITY: PUNISH `BAD SAMARITANS'.Byline: Patrick McGreevy Daily News Staff Writer Outraged by the circumstances of a 7-year-old girl's slaying in a Nevada casino, the Los Angeles City Council  The Los Angeles City Council is the governing body of the City of Los Angeles, California, United States. voted Tuesday to
support expansion of California's ``good Samaritan'' law
so any person who sees a sexual or violent crime against a child must
alert authorities.
Jeremy Strohmeyer, 19, pleaded guilty last week to killing Sherrice Iverson, but council members said they also were upset that David Cash Jr., a friend of Strohmeyer, had witnessed part of the attack but failed to stop it or tell authorities. Cash has denied any wrongdoing wrong·do·er n. One who does wrong, especially morally or ethically. wrong  do and was
not charged with a crime.
The girl's mother, Yolanda Manuel, attended the council meeting. ``I would like to thank you all for doing what you are doing for me,'' she said. Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas Mark Ridley-Thomas (born 1954) is currently a California State Senate where he chairs the Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee]]. He represents the 26th district which includes the communities of Vermont Knolls, Jefferson Park, Leimert Park, Hancock Park, Korean said weaknesses in the current law could mean Cash cannot be prosecuted. ``Today we are essentially trying to say we do not wish to fail any more children in the state of California,'' Ridley-Thomas said. The resolution introduced by Ridley-Thomas and adopted unanimously by the City Council authorizes the city to sponsor and support legislation to expand the state's existing good Samaritan law good samaritan law a law that provides protection against claims of malpractice for medical practitioners who render emergency care at the scene of an accident except when gross negligence or willful misconduct can be proved. to more explicitly require action when children are assaulted. A similar law has been proposed on the federal level. Naji Ali, a spokesman for the child's family, said Cash's actions cry out for reform of the law. ``I find it reprehensible rep·re·hen·si·ble adj. Deserving rebuke or censure; blameworthy. See Synonyms at blameworthy. [Middle English, from Old French, from Late Latin repreh that a 7-year-old child could be kidnapped, raped, tortured and murdered, and yet there was someone who witnessed the first part of the kidnapping kidnapping, in law, the taking away of a person by force, threat, or deceit, with intent to cause him to be detained against his will. Kidnapping may be done for ransom or for political or other purposes. , David Cash, and refused to even notify a security guard,'' Ali said. Councilman Mike Feuer said the proposed expansion of the law touches on crucial issues of ethics and morality in society. ``In our society we owe each other the most simple, basic, humane respect for life, especially when it comes to our kids,'' Feuer said. Councilman Richard Alarcon said he was saddened by the whole incident. ``How he (Cash) could be arrogant and brag about his knowledge of what went on - that shows I think the very bottom of moral thinking in this country,'' Alarcon said. ``We should never support, condone condone v. 1) to forgive, support, and/or overlook moral or legal failures of another without protest, with the result that it appears that such breaches of moral or legal duties are acceptable. nor accept the actions of Mr. Cash. Frankly, I believe he should be in jail. It was wrong.'' |
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