News

DA Honors Local Heroes at Inspiring ‘Citizens of Courage’ Awards

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan honored five brave individuals on Monday, April 24, 2023 with the DA’s Citizens of Courage Award during the 33rd annual event, which is held as part of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. “These individuals all displayed courage in the face of dangerous and trying circumstances,” DA Stephan said. […]

Man who Killed Twin Daughters of Ex-Girlfriend Sentenced to Life Without Parole + 72 Years

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced today that defendant Dwayne E. Groves Jr., 41, was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole plus 72 years for murdering 15-year-old twin sisters, Caira and Leah Christopher, in April 2020. Groves pleaded guilty on March 10 to two counts of first-degree murder, a special circumstance […]

DA Files Criminal Charge in 101 Ash St. Case

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced today that former City of San Diego volunteer real estate advisor, Jason Hughes, 55, has been criminally charged with conflict of interest for his role in receiving millions of dollars in connection with two lease-to-own deals commonly known as Civic Center Plaza and 101 Ash Street. During […]

Photo of a judge's gavel and handcuffs on top of books.

Doctor who Sexually Assaulted Patients Sentenced to Prison

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced that defendant Leng Ky, 43, a doctor who sexually assaulted four patients while they were under anesthesia, was sentenced to 17 years in prison. Ky pleaded guilty to three counts of sexually assaulting an unconscious victim and one count of sexually battery by restraint on January 26, […]

DA Developing New Homeless Shelter Bed App

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced today that her office is addressing the intersection of homelessness and crime by leading the effort to develop technology that can quickly locate suitable shelter beds for individuals experiencing homelessness, improving on the process that’s currently in place. The proposed technology would mobilize a more efficient county […]

Solana Beach Woman Sentenced for Killing Stepfather

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan announced today that defendant Jade Janks, 39, who was convicted by a jury on December 21 of first-degree murder, has been sentenced to 25 years-to-life in prison. Hours after she picked up the victim from a medical care facility, Janks drugged and strangled Tom Merriman, 64, to death […]