Statement from Pamela Price (former Alameda County District Attorney)

“The pattern of the appointed DA Ursula Jones Dickson to favor law enforcement is clear. Justice for all does not include the victims of law enforcement officers in the appointed DA’s office. Due to her decision to dismiss most of the cases against law enforcement officers on flimsy grounds, the families of Steven Taylor, Maurice Monk and Vinetta Martin did not get their day in court to stand for their murdered loved ones.  

Today’s developments in the prosecution of the perjury and bribery case involving veteran Oakland homicide detective Phong Tran are deeply troubling and underscore why accountability in law enforcement must be pursued vigorously and without hesitation.

When my team in the Public Accountability Unit pursued the charges in the case, it was because of credible evidence indicating that a number of key witnesses had been improperly influenced and serious questions existed about the integrity of convictions tied to that testimony. The ensuing review of potentially hundreds of cases tied to this detective’s work was an essential step to ensure that (1) justice is not built on compromised evidence and (2) corruption does not go unaddressed in our justice system.”

Justice does not depend on a single decision or a headline — it depends on a fair process, integrity in investigation, and confidence in our criminal justice system. It is unacceptable when prosecutorial decisions appear to shift in ways that create uncertainty about accountability, especially in cases that have already led to overturned convictions and significant harm to multiple families in our community.  The public may remember that the Alameda County  District Attorney’s Office under my leadership fearlessly took on investigating prosecutorial errors.  One of the first actions by the Jones Dickson administration was to disband both the Resentencing Unit and the Public Accountability Unit. 

I remain committed to truth, fairness, and transparency. Holding anyone accountable — whether inside or outside law enforcement — must be done thoughtfully, but it must be done. The people of Alameda County deserve clarity, consistency, and a justice system they can trust.

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