Simpson Prosecutor Concedes Defeat
Nov. 10 -- As Los Angeles prosecutor, Gil Garcetti was more famous for the cases he lost than the ones he won. Now, he has lost one more battle — his bid for a third term as District Attorney.
Garcetti became a household name during the so-called “Trial of the Century” over murder charges against O.J. Simpson, was defeated by a two-to-one margin in Tuesday’s election by a highly critical deputy, Steve Cooley.
He conceded defeat Wednesday in his bitter race with Cooley, telling reporters: “The people have spoken.”
Political analysts said it was the Simpson trial and the police corruption scandal at the Los Angeles Police Department’s Rampart station that cost him the election.
The Los Angeles Times reported that Superior Court Judge Lance Ito, who presided over the Simpson trial, attended Cooley’s victory party on Tuesday night.
“This morning I called Steve Cooley to wish him well,” a resigned Garcetti said at a press conference to concede the race.
“I congratulate him. Steve fought a hard race and the voters have spoken.
“This may be one of the toughest jobs in the country, but it’s also one of the best jobs in the country,” he said. “I don’t know what it’s going to be, but I’m looking forward to my next challenge.”
A Cool Cooley
Cooley, a veteran Los Angeles County prosecutor, beat thetwo-term Garcetti 64 percent to 36 percent in Tuesday’s election.He will take office on Dec. 4. The campaign was marked by nastypersonal attacks and the shadow of a police scandal. Each sidespent $1 million on TV ads.
Cooley said he will make major changes in the office, which has more than 1,000 prosecutors and handles more than 300,000 cases per year.
He will decentralize some operations and create three new divisions to investigate public corruption, “ensure the integrityof the criminal justice system” and fight criminal syndicates, Cooley said.
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