The Los Angeles County District Attorney's office says its prosecutors made a mistake when they told a judge in September that a man was eligible for a drug rehab program instead of prison time. That man is now the lead suspect in a four murders that happened last week in Northridge.
Ka Pasasouk, 31, is awaiting extradition in a Las Vegas jail with three other suspects in connection with the fatal shootings of four people at an unlicensed boarding home in Northridge on Dec. 2.
Court records indicate that Pasasouk has a criminal history of drug, robbery and theft convictions. He was on probation at the time of the alleged killings.
In a statement released by the DA’s office, spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons wrote, “the office inadvertently erred in indicating the defendant was eligible for a Proposition 36 drug program.”
A dozen years ago, California voters passed Proposition 36. It allowed drug offenders to enroll in an 18-month drug rehabilitation diversion program instead of prison time. The offenders are allowed to complete the program out of custody but are required to report back to the court on their progress.
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