Wake And Demonstration Called Off

WAKE FOR PEDOPHILE CALLED OFF
According to credible sources this afternoon, apparently due to a huge public outcry, Costa Mesa City Councilman Gary Monahan has called off the wake for his friend, Julius (Jay) Pinson -  the criminal pedophile who tried to kill two Costa Mesa police officers in December and lost his life in the process.  That event had been planned for Wednesday, January 28th in the afternoon.  The Daily Pilot wrote about the wake HERE.

LAW ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATION DEMONSTRATION ALSO RE-SCHEDULED
And, those residents who planned to hold a "Police Appreciation" demonstration near Monahan's pub on Newport Boulevard at the same time as the wake have, accordingly, decided to re-schedule the event to another time, probably in February.  In correspondence to the demonstration organizers Monahan thanked them for their support of public safety members and offered to help in support of their event.  Barbara Venezia wrote columns in the Daily Pilot HERE and HERE, and will almost certainly write again soon about it.

BAD JUDGMENT CALL NOW TEMPERED
Personally, I'm happy Monahan reconsidered his event.  I understand his decision to help the surviving girlfriend and her son because they are his friends.  However, for a long-time councilman to glorify the memory of a man who was a fugitive from justice in two states for crimes that included, according to reports, "penetration of a minor" and who chose to shoot it out with members of the Costa Mesa Police Department who were trying to serve out-of-state warrants, was a poor judgment call on Monahan's part.  And, of course, it was made even more heinous by the current relationship between the CMPD and the City Council majority.

I'LL REPORT ON THE DEMONSTRATION PLANS LATER
As stated above, the organizers of the demonstration will hold an event in support of all public safety members - police and fire - in the near future.  I'll report when more information is available.