Relatives of a couple severely injured in a homeless man's attack are furious after learning that the most serious charges against the suspect may be dismissed because of District Attorney George Gascón's policies.
The brutal assault on Jose Juan Rangel Hernandez, 74, and Maria Guadalupe Vargas Luna, 58, took place in March outside a Los Angeles McDonald's when the suspect allegedly punched Rangel Hernandez through a car door window. The attack left Rangel Hernandez with severe facial injuries and knocked Vargas Luna unconscious.
Homeless Man Accused of Brutal LA Attack Faces Reduced Charges Despite Family's Outrage
Vargas Luna, who is diabetic and partially blind, suffered another heart attack weeks later and was left brain-dead.
According to the family, Vargas Luna left the car to assist her husband, who was being beaten on the ground. During the scuffle, she fell and hit her head, leading to her subsequent health complications.
Homeless Man Accused of Brutal LA Attack Faces Reduced Charges Despite Family's Outrage
Despite pressure from the family, Gascón's office plans to file a motion to dismiss the felony count against suspect Charles Green and keep only the misdemeanor battery charge.
Veronica Rangel, the victims' daughter, expressed outrage at the decision. "He's just going to walk free with no consequence because of the changes that have been brought in by Mr. Gascón," she said on "Fox & Friends Weekend."
Homeless Man Accused of Brutal LA Attack Faces Reduced Charges Despite Family's Outrage
William Cantabrana, the victims' grandson, added that the dismissal of the felony charge essentially implies that Vargas Luna was at fault for leaving the car and trying to defend her husband.
"During the scuffle, he [the suspect] bumps into her, drops her, but they're saying, ‘He never intended to push her,'" Cantabrana said.
Homeless Man Accused of Brutal LA Attack Faces Reduced Charges Despite Family's Outrage
Gascón's office has stated that the evidence does not support proof of an intentional act that resulted in Vargas Luna's fall. However, the family believes that the office is downplaying the suspect's actions.
They argue that the attack has had devastating consequences for their family and that the suspect should face the full extent of the law.
The case has drawn attention to Gascón's criminal justice reforms, which critics say have been too lenient on criminals. Gascón is currently facing a recall attempt and criticism from various sides.
In a related incident, a University of Southern California student will not face charges in the fatal on-campus stabbing of a homeless man. The student claimed self-defense, and prosecutors found insufficient evidence to prove otherwise.
These cases highlight the complex issues surrounding criminal justice reform and the need to balance the rights of victims with the efforts to reduce incarceration and address systemic bias.
