New entry in Placer D.A.'s race
Sacramento prosecutor intends to run
It might be more than a year away, but the race for Placer County District Attorney is already heating up. Scott Triplett, a deputy district attorney for the Sacramento County DA’s office, confirmed this week he would enter the contest for the 2010 election. Triplett joins Scott Owens, Placer County’s acting assistant district attorney, in vying for the spot being vacated by longtime DA Brad Fenocchio. “Basically I feel I have something to bring and offer to Placer County,” Triplett said Thursday. “I think I would be a great asset to Placer County.” The 39-year-old father of three is currently a homicide prosecutor for the Sacramento DA’s office, where he has worked since 1996. He has lived in Roseville for about 10 years. He has also served stints in units including gang and hate crimes, sexual assault, domestic violence and prison crimes. On Wednesday, he filed a form stating his intent to run, allowing him to raise and spend money on a campaign. He plans a formal announcement at 4 p.m. Wednesday on the steps of the Santucci Justice Center in Roseville. “I have a vested interest in this community, and I want to make sure this community is the best it can be,” he said. Roseville-based attorney Scott Huber has known Triplett for years. He said Triplett “is among the best attorneys I have ever witnessed in the courtroom. He prosecutes some of the most difficult crimes in Sacramento County and has an excellent conviction rate.” Still, Triplett will face an uphill battle against Owens, who has worked in the Placer County DA’s office since 1990. Owens, who has successfully prosecuted several local high-profile crimes in recent years, benefits from name recognition and support from a slew of county leaders. Fenocchio has already thrown his support behind Owens. That doesn’t dissuade Triplett, who has his own slate of successful high-profile prosecutions to point to. A recent example was the conviction last year for gang member Manuel Cervin, the driver in a brutal drive-by shooting that killed a 21-year-old Navy recruit in Elk Grove. He received 40 years to life in prison. “I know that my opponent has obtained a lot of endorsements already, but a lot of those have been given with only one person in the race,” Triplett said. “What I’m going to ask everybody to do, now that they realize there’s going to be two viable candidates, is sit back and get to know both of us a lot better because now you’re going to have a choice.” Owens said Thursday he welcomes a contest for the seat. “It’s going to be an open seat and anybody can certainly run,” Owens said. “I’ve dedicated my life to law enforcement in Placer and my goal is to continue that for the rest of my career. I’ll run on my record.” Triplett received his undergraduate education at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, and then attended McGeorge School of Law. He said he is active in his church and children’s schools and sports.
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Bad idea..... Have you seen how the Sacramento Counties DA office is run.....................
Do you have some examples?
We need new blood in the Placer DA's office.
I concurr with rsvlres. They are to soft on crime in Sac. They let people rack up 3-4 DUI's than they kill innocent person and thats finally when the DA's office takes action. It is to late by than. I do not think I want the disfunctional issues form Sac spilling over into Placer County. I would like to see the reputation as a take no Sh*t County stay place.
People you want crime to stay at lower levels we must continue the hard nosed approach that has been working. You want the people that would committ crime to think twice before they come to Placer County to do something illegal.
I don't think you can say that EVERYTHING in Sacramento is attributable to Triplett or that EVERYTHING in Placer is attributable to Owens. They will each have to run on their personal records. I think that's a good thing. At least now there is a choice!
STICK WITH THE PROGRAM! That is all Good Day!
I know Scott Owens very well professionally, and I can tell you he is the most honest, moral person I know, with a ton of integrity to go along with that. I can also say the same for Brad Fenocchio and many of the other DDA's. They care very deeply in justice for victims. Now, you have to ask yourself, why is Scott Owens running unopposed for DA in the same office he has worked for almost 20 years, and Scott Triplett is running in a different County from where he has worked for only 12 years. I don't know Mr. Triplett, but if he says he can bring experience to the table then hire him as a DDA, but I personally trust Scott Owens to run the DA's office.
Very well said, Analyst. Scott Owens has lived in Placer County for most, if not all, of his life. He is intimately familiar with the Placer County Judges, Probation Department, and all of the law enforcement agencies. All of the law enforcement agencies have thrown their support behind him because they have worked with him for years and know who he is and what he represents. There is nobody better qualified to lead the DA's office in Placer County than Scott Owens.
Scott Triplett is just a token opposing candidate since up until now there hasn't been one--he'll get trounced. I also know Scott Owens & he'll make a fantastic D.A. and is much more qualified to run this county's office than the other Scott.
Well, I'm tired of the DA having trial after trial until they get the conviction they want, and I think some new blood would be fantastic. I can think of three big cases off the top of my head in the last year that I feel are questionable or outright egregious. It's great to have a choice!
kittyv, what people don't understand is that having trial after trial until they get a conviction, happens in every DA's office. They can do that, it's the law. Getting new blood in Placer County is not going to change that.
I disagree :)
kittyv, they can have a new trial only if the jury can't make a decision. If the jury acquits the defendant then a retrial is not possible. Sometimes we have bad juries that can't make a decision to save themselves. Justice shouldn't be thwarted just because it would involve getting a second or third jury to look at the facts. Scott Owens has done a great job and will get my vote.
If Mr. Triplett cares so much about Placer County, why hasn't he dedicated his career to making it a safer place to live, as Mr. Owens has done? Instead, he chooses to live here and enjoy the quality of life, but work in Sacramento County -- why? If he has a "vested interest in this community", he should have been working here throught his career, as Scoot Owens has, first as a probation officer, and then a Deputy District Attorney.
Also, I take issue with the notion that Scott Owens received endorsements because there was no other choice. He got those endorsements because he is tough, fair-minded, and will make an excellent District Attorney for Placer County. He'll have my vote in 2010.
realist, "Sometimes we have bad juries that can't make a decision to save themselves."
Maybe it's not the jury. Maybe the facts leave room for 'Reasonable Doubt'. Shopping multiple juries for the right answer doesn't seem fair to me.
The DA's office needs a shake up. Things are getting stale in Placer and starting to stink.
ChuxxR: I too have my concerns about the DA's office going for a 3rd trial after failing twice to obtain a conviction. And maybe a shake-up is in order. But Scott Owens, although he enjoys Fennochio's support, is a very different person than Fennochio. Having known him for about 22 years, I have a lot of faith in his judgment and his respect for justice. He is a wiser man than Fennochio. There will be some changes when Owens takes over. But don't take my word for it. Take an opportunity to talk to Owens yourself. You will be surprised how approachable he is.
I am a next door neighbor of Scott Triplett and have been for many years. I think people should be open minded and really look at his track record before they make a decision regarding a very important and integral part of our community, such as District Attorney. As for why he hasn't worked in Placer County, maybe his first job was with Sacramento County before he moved to and fell in love with Placer County?? All I know is this, there are few people tougher on crime. He is a fair man, but definitely tough on crime. I really hope the people of this county don't just go with the status quo and really get to know both candidates and make an informed decision before going to the polls. But, as I read above, it doesn't look like that is going to happen. How sad that many voters don't really get to know the facts.
Oh, along with the above...Scott Triplett is one of the most moral and honest people I know. He, his wife and his children are well liked and respected in our community. The whole family is loaded with integrity...
Scott Triplett is an all around good person. He has successfully prosecuted many cases in Sacramento. It is unfair and ignorant for people to think that the way Sacramento County handles cases, in general, is a reflection on Mr. Triplett's person; he does not run Sacramento County. Scott Triplett is a great candidate because he is friendly, outgoing and a very fair person. He treats everyone with kindness and respect regardless of their status. It is sad to know that people out there are willing to by pass a perfect candidate for familiarity. Give Scott Triplett a chance...you will be greatly satisfied.