LAKEPORT–The national news is engulfed in Lakeport news. The heated debate about the Renato Hughes case just got turned up a few more degrees, as Jon Hopkins, district attorney of Lake County answered questions posed by Star Jones of Court TV.
Hopkins sat in front of Clear Lake at Library Park at noon on Tuesday and spoke via satellite.
“I”m making a personal sacrifice (coming out there) so people can see how nice Clear Lake looks,” he said to Jones before the interview began.
The alleged “drug deal gone bad” brings to the forefront the Provocative Act Doctrine, which was introduced in 1965 in California.
In layman”s terms the act states that if a person is a party to an act that provokes a murder, that person should be considered responsible.
This is the premise for prosecuting Renato Hughes. Reverend Brown, head of the San Francisco branch of the NAACP alleges that the Lake County District Attorney Hopkins, is involved in unprofessional activity in this case. Hopkins said there is a discrepancy in the interpretation of the facts. He maintains that the evidence Lake County has supports the charges. The interpretation of facts on both sides appears blurred.
“I”m going to keep a fair and open mind, and see the evidence they (the defense) present,” Hopkins said.
Jones was obviously perturbed as she made Rev. Brown aware that she studied the case thoroughly. She stopped him from speaking at one point.
When Hopkins began the interview Jones said, “I bet they didn”t know I knew this much about the facts in this case.”
Jones seemed to agree with Hopkins that the race issue was a moot point, because the crime appeared to be an attempted home robbery to obtain marijuana.
“This crime doesn”t fit an ordinary marijuana purchase, it happened at 4 a.m.,” Hopkins said. But Brown contended that drug purchases happen at all hours, as it is the nature of drug dealing.
Jones stated to Hopkins that “this is not an easy case.” She knew his background as a defense attorney in Los Angeles County. Hopkins adamantly denies racism as a factor in the case and speaks in a concrete manner about it.
“It”s hard to disprove, they have nothing at all to back it up. The proof is in the pudding,” Hopkins said. The unshakable Lake County D.A. seeks a life sentence on the charge of murder for Hughes.
Jones ended the interview with Hopkins stating that the case has clearly “gotten under her skin.” She vaguely speaks in support of the plight of the Lake County prosecution. Her tone speaks volumes as she interviews the mother of Hughes, the defense attorney Stuart Hanlon and Rev. Brown.
Hopkins is disappointed that the trial venue was changed.
“There was no prejudicial pre-trial publicity, no racial bias in Lake County [in this case], we thought it would be clear sailing, Hopkins said.
He pointed out that the change of venue is quite costly and it”s not fair to the citizens of Lake County.
There are three counties to pick from and the defense will argue to find the appropriate one. The possible three counties are not yet known.
Hopkins hopes the trial will take place in a county where the demographics are similar to Lake County where the crime was committed.
“We”ll do what needs to be done, wherever it goes,” Hopkins said.
Mandy Feder can be reached at mfeder@record-bee.com
