Los Angeles Times

LA District Attorney George Gascon wouldn't compromise, until he did. Now, no one is happy

Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon, left, and Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore along with community leaders discuss community violence reduction efforts in Los Angeles, on June 30, 2021.

LOS ANGELES — Since taking over as Los Angeles County's district attorney, George Gascon had refused to compromise on sweeping changes he said were needed to remake an office he believed was prioritizing convictions and lengthy prison sentences over justice.

A rough few weeks has changed that.

Gascon has begun wavering in the face of incessant attacks from critics, a mounting recall effort and a growing perception he's becoming politically isolated. Last month, he quietly conceded that there could be exceptions to the bans he imposed on seeking life sentences in murder cases or trying juveniles as adults.

And Gascon's troubles deepened when he publicly acknowledged he had been wrong to insist that Hannah Tubbs a 26-year-old transgender woman, be allowed to plead guilty in juvenile court to sexually assaulting a child. The crime happened when Tubbs was a teen and had not transitioned yet.

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