A federal judge has allowed prosecutors to reduce the charge against Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Trevor Kirk from a felony to a misdemeanor, despite his conviction for excessive force. This decision, made by U.S. District Judge Stephen V. Wilson on Tuesday (May 27), follows a controversial plea deal proposed by Bill Essayli, the newly appointed U.S. attorney in Los Angeles. Essayli, a Trump appointee, offered Kirk a rare postconviction plea deal just two months after his felony conviction for pepper-spraying and assaulting an unarmed woman, Jacey Houseton, during a 2023 incident at a Lancaster supermarket.
The plea deal, which would have resulted in probation, led to several federal prosecutors resigning in protest. Judge Wilson, however, rejected the probation proposal but agreed to downgrade the charge, meaning Kirk could still face jail time when sentenced on June 2. Kirk’s defense attorney, Tom Yu, expressed satisfaction with the reduction, stating they would argue for no jail time.
Kirk’s actions during the incident were captured on video, showing him rushing at Houseton, throwing her to the ground, and pepper-spraying her while placing a knee on her neck. The jury found Kirk guilty of using excessive force under color of law. Judge Wilson emphasized that police officers are meant to protect the public, not harm them, and stated that the jury’s verdict was justified.
The case has sparked significant controversy and turmoil within the U.S. attorney’s office, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eli A. Alcaraz, Brian R. Faerstein, and Cassie Palmer resigning over the plea deal offer. Essayli’s decision to pursue the plea agreement aligns with broader efforts by the Trump administration to bolster law enforcement, though it has faced criticism for undermining the independence of the Department of Justice.
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