TS - Little common ground in DA debate

Little common ground in DA debate
By Kimberly Wear The Times-Standard
Article Launched: 05/18/2006 04:30:48 AM PDT

Moderator Byrd Lochtie, from the League of Women Voters, discusses the format for the debate between District Attorney Paul Gallegos, center, and opponent Worth Dikeman.

HUMBOLDT HILL -- District Attorney candidates Paul Gallegos and Worth Dikeman squared off Wednesday in the third debate of the June election season, finding little common ground on questions ranging from law enforcement endorsements to who will win.

Several times the answers were overtly personal with Gallegos assailing Dikeman's skills as a prosecutor and Dikeman accusing Gallegos of creating a hostile work environment resulting in a high staff turnover.

In opening statements, Gallegos said he was able to do more with less during his first term despite budget cuts, bringing the office into the 21st century, sending more criminals to prison and making the community safer than it was before he came into office.

Dikeman said he understood the role of district attorney and would bring experience and high standards to the office. He described Gallegos as an inefficient leader who made bad decisions and allowed a mass exodus from the office.

The debate was sponsored and moderated by the League of Women Voters. Questions came from callers and a panel of three journalists.

On the issue of plea bargains, they agreed that most cases plead out and don't make it to trial. Gallegos called pleas bargains "a sign of success so long as the plea bargains are appropriate." Dikeman said there was not enough oversight of plea bargains and families or victims were not always consulted.

There was some disagreement on the role of the district attorney in the courtroom. Gallegos said he felt it was important for the district attorney to try cases and touted his record, saying he won the nine cases he's tried as district attorney.

"I lead from the front of my office," he said. "People in my office know that I'm always there to try a case."

Dikeman said in a small office a district attorney should be prepared to step in when needed. "I think the district attorney's job is to see the cases get tried, not necessarily try them," he said.

Several questions focused on the endorsements Dikeman received from local law enforcement agencies.

Gallegos said it was important for the public to view the office as independent. He noted he was endorsed by the state attorney general.

"Local law enforcement endorsements create the impression that the district attorney is not independent and can't be independent," he said, also quoting from an American Bar Association guideline regarding the issue.

Dikeman gave a different view, saying law enforcement is the voice of the victims and the district attorney's office can't be very effective without them. He said he received the endorsements because of his track record.

"(Gallegos) doesn't seek their endorsement because he knows he's lost their trust and confidence and wouldn't receive it," Dikeman said.

On the issue of prosecuting "small marijuana growers," Dikeman said he would follow the "spirit and letter" of Proposition 215 -- which allows individuals with a doctor's approval to posses and use the drug - but said having an amount over the legal limit in Humboldt County is "unlawful."

Gallegos responded that violent crime and public safety were a higher priority than marijuana, but that he would enforce the law if there was illegal activity. Each candidate said they expected to win the June 6 election, but not necessarily to continue working with the other.

"If you're asking me if I would hire Paul as a deputy district attorney -- the answer is no," Dikeman said.

Gallegos didn't say whether he would retain Dikeman in the office if he won, but said he had concerns about what he termed misrepresentations by him during the election.

"If Mr. Dikeman were to succeed, which I do not expect, I would support the change into his administration," Gallegos said, adding he would work to make it "seamless."

Kimberly Wear covers the cities of Eureka and Arcata. She can be reached at 441-0512 or kwear@times-standard.com "