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Sheriff Baca under fire: Sharpton, Judge and public outrage

By Stone Martindale Jun 8, 2007, 17:34 GMT

Paris Hilton's slow O.J. on the run media coverage of her progression back to the courthouse today is really now the backdrop to an even bigger story: The showdown between Sheriff Lee Baca and the Judge who sentenced Paris. It isn't going to be pretty. Lee Baca - © Glenn Harris / Photorazzi

Lee Baca - © Glenn Harris / PhotorazziEven Al Sharpton is up in Baca's grill over the incident, where Baca is top of the Sheriff food chain and allowed the heiress to split early.

Hilton, who served less than four full days in jail on a 45-day sentence, was filmed by CNN and other media outlets accepting deliveries of gourmet cupcakes for herself and organic dog food for her pups. Baca was being skewered by the press for letting her leave. His handling of Mel Gibson was also scrutinized by CNN as unfair special treatment for celebrities."She's better off serving the rest of her sentence at home," said Baca to Steve Lopez, a writer for the Los Angeles Times. Hilton

Hilton

Baca told Lopez that "Hilton had a medical condition that 'wasn't getting any better in jail,' and he decided to reassign her to home confinement, with an electronic monitor."It was Paris' claims she didn't feel well or couldn't handle the food that led to the press and Hilton haters baying for her blood.Lopez muses that the system is a "joke" if a "judge can deliver a 45-day sentence that gets immediately knocked down to an anticipated 23 days with time off for good behavior, and the sheriff uses a formula that routinely knocks 90% off that for women, meaning that a 45-day sentence can easily become a 2.3-day sentence.""I'm concerned about her health," Baca said to Lopez. "That's the only issue here. This has nothing to do with outside influences. It has nothing to do with celebrity."Lopez, in his usual style quipped "that's big of him, but the jail is filled with people who have serious physical and mental problems. How many of them get sent home for cupcakes?"When Hilton was sentenced in early May, a judge ruled she would not be allowed any work release, furloughs or use of an alternative jail or electronic monitoring instead of jail.TMZ.com reports that the Sheriff's Department says they are the only ones authorized to take her anywhere. "Thus, the standoff in court."The progression to the court continues, as a handcuffed Hilton rides with the Sheriffs.

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SaraJun 8th, 2007 - 18:22:52

Where was Sharpton during the O.J. fiasco!!??

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MichaelJun 8th, 2007 - 18:24:16

There are a lot of white collar criminals doing very hard time whose families have been ruined for what are essentially accounting mistakes or overstatements. We let Paris out for flaunting criminal laws that imperil the safety of others because she doesnt like the food? Seems like if you want to flaunt the rules setup shop in LA and dress nicely. Paris is a drain on society.

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Lost Hills Sheriff Station insiderJun 8th, 2007 - 18:26:34

Baca is known for cleaning up and hiding negative information on any celebrities records, we see so many DUI's and domestic arrests that never see the light of day-except now TMZ and Harvey Levin-a major foe of Baca and vice versa- has ripped the lid off cushy cozy celeb treatments.

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ann thompsonJun 8th, 2007 - 18:26:59

ABSOLUTELY OUTRAGEOUS...nothing more needs to be said!

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NateJun 8th, 2007 - 18:30:19

This is an insult to anyone who has lost someone to drunk driving. With Paris getting off this easy it sets a new precedent in California law.

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MacJun 8th, 2007 - 18:33:25

So what else is new. If you have money, you get special treatment. Go back as far as Leopold and Lowe (thrill murderers)Their lawyer saved them from death sentence.

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non_prophetJun 8th, 2007 - 18:35:44

'Where was Sharpton...'

Who cares?!! That was over a decade ago. Get with the times. Are you saying Hilton should escape punishment for something she was convicted of? Or, do you believe that punishment should be dealt to those found 'not guilty'?

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DavidJun 8th, 2007 - 18:36:19

The whole California system is a mockery. Al, keep your mouth shut and go home!!

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jusr meJun 8th, 2007 - 18:37:53

What? Her illness wasn't getting better? What was she treated with, bread an dwater? I say let everyone out who is having a fake disorder..... SEE PARIS, WE all DON'T lover you!

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adamcJun 8th, 2007 - 18:38:09

Why does not the sheriff also release people who are HIV+, have Cancer or are these medical conditions less serious then Paris’s little scratch. If Martha can serve time so can Paris really no one will really miss her.

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