Recall effort for Long Beach judge ends

The recall effort against Long Beach Juvenile Court Judge Gibson Lee failed, Southern California Public Radio reported yesterday. (LISTEN)

The effort was prompted by Lee's sentencing of ten black teens (nine female, one male) to probation for the beating of three young white women last Halloween.

All nine were found guilty of felony assault, eight guilty of a hate-crime enhancement and six for personal infliction of great bodily injury. Lee sentenced them to 250 hours of community service, participation in a hate crime diversion program and, for all but one of the youth, 60 days of house arrest.

The victims and their families began the campaign in February, calling the sentencing unjust and part of repeatedly lenient sentencing from the judge.

They needed 250,000 signatures by November 26, but only have about 400-500 due. A spokesman for the recall campaign blamed lost momentum, technical problems and challenges from politicians for the low turnout.

Long Beach Bar Association President Marc Allmeroth told KPCC Public Radio that he was glad about the decision, calling the recall effort judge bashing, and pointing towards the Courts of Appeal and Council for Judicial Performance as a better response than a recall campaign.

The effort was prompted by Lee's sentencing of ten black teens (nine female, one male) to probation for the beating of three young white women last Halloween.

All nine were found guilty of felony assault, eight guilty of a hate-crime enhancement and six for personal infliction of great bodily injury. Lee sentenced them to 250 hours of community service, participation in a hate crime diversion program and, for all but one of the youth, 60 days of house arrest.

The victims and their families began the campaign in February, calling the sentencing unjust and part of repeatedly lenient sentencing from the judge.

They needed 250,000 signatures by November 26, but only have about 400-500 due. A spokesman for the recall campaign blamed lost momentum, technical problems and challenges from politicians for the low turnout.

Long Beach Bar Association President Marc Allmeroth told KPCC Public Radio that he was glad about the decision, calling the recall effort judge bashing, and pointing towards the Courts of Appeal and Council for Judicial Performance as a better response than a recall campaign.