Controversy
Karlin was involved in a controversy over the ruling of a criminal case in which she was the trial judge. In March 1991, Soon Ja Du, a Korean-American immigrant grocer, shot and killed Latasha Harlins, a 15 year old African American girl. According to police records and the trial transcript, Harlins approached the counter with two dollars in her left hand to pay for a $1.79 bottle of orange juice she’d put halfway into her backpack. Du accused Harlins of trying to steal the juice, and Harlins replied she was trying to pay for it. A struggle ensued, with Du pulling at Harlins’ sweater and backpack, and Harlins punching Du, knocking her down. Du rose from behind the counter and drew a handgun. Harlins placed the juice on the counter, where her backpack was, and walked away. Du shot Harlins in the back of her head, killing her instantly (Cannon 1997, pp. 108-109).
In the criminal trial that ensued, People v. Soon Ja Du, a jury convicted the grocer of voluntary manslaughter. The maximum penalty for voluntary manslaughter at the time was 16 years in prison. It was left to Karlin, a newly appointed judge, to decide the sentence. The judge suggested the shooting had been accidental. She sentenced Du to probation of five years, four hundred hours of community service, and a $500 fine. Judge Karlin acknowledged that use of a firearm generally leads to a presumption against probation, but she decided that Du's case had several mitigating factors. Judge Karlin stated, "Did Mrs. Du react inappropriately? Absolutely. But was that reaction understandable? I think it was. No matter what sentence this court imposes Mrs. Du will be punished every day of her life. This is not a time for revenge." Judge Karlin added that she believed the Mrs. Du shot Latasha Harlins under extreme provocation and duress and would probably never commit a crime again.
Karlin’s decision not to send Du to jail was met with protest from the African American community and inflamed the existing tension between Korean American merchants and African American community activists. Violent protesters ultimately had to be ordered to stay at least 500 yards from her home. An unsuccessful attempt was made to recall her, and then-district attorney Ira Reiner ordered his deputies to refuse to try cases before her. Shortly thereafter Judge Karlin transferred to Juvenile court.
Judge's Karlins sentence was unanimously affirmed by a state appeals court.
Read more about this topic: Joyce Karlin
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