'Amateur hour at the U.S. attorney's office': L.A. prosecutors face more losses in protest cases

""You've got to be ready for prime time and you're not," said Judge Birotte, expressing frustration over the U.S. attorney's office's failure to disclose evidence before trial."

""This trial is probably not going to happen," Birotte remarked, indicating the possibility of dismissing the case due to prosecutorial missteps."

""He lied over and over again," said Asst. U.S. Atty. Jason Pang, emphasizing the prosecution's stance that Hipolito was aware he was attacking a federal officer."

""He believed the officers were bounty hunters trying to kidnap a woman and acted in self-defense," stated Hipolito regarding his actions during the incident."

In Los Angeles, prosecutors struggled in two trials for assault on federal officers. Judge Birotte criticized the U.S. attorney's office for failing to disclose evidence, suggesting the case might be dismissed. In a separate courtroom, Luis Hipolito faced charges for punching an ICE officer, claiming self-defense against perceived kidnappers. Despite video evidence of the incident, prosecutors argued Hipolito knowingly attacked a federal officer, presenting a slideshow to highlight his alleged dishonesty. The outcomes of both cases raised concerns for the prosecution's effectiveness.

Read at Los Angeles Times