Dear Editor: In the Crime Report for activities on Feb. 1, there is an entry describing lynching. In our culture, we usually think of this as something other than what the state of California describes it as. I feel that this needs to be addressed before others misunderstand the police action.

Penal Code 405a provides the definition: “The taking by means of a riot of any person from the lawful custody of any peace officer is a lynching.”

Penal Codes 504a and 504b deal with “attempted lynching” where everyone attempting to cause lynching when not successful in the attempt can be arrested.

Matthew Curtis

Downey

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Published: Feb. 12, 2015 - Volume 13 - Issue 44