A Tragic Death’s Tumultuous Aftermath : Bitter, Divisive Debates Over Race and Justice Linger in Wake of San Clemente Killing

San Clemente has had an emotionally trying time of it ever since that fatal night in October, 1993, when Steve Woods, a high school student, was fatally injured in an encounter between groups hanging out at Calafia Beach County Park.

The Woods case brought to the surface a painful realization that one of Southern California’s outer suburbs had not even begun to come to terms the presence of different ethnic groups. The basic facts in the case are terribly disturbing, but most important, they still are very unclear. Nonetheless, there is lingering bitterness.

For the long term, it would be unproductive to keep hashing over resentment and accusations. The community needs to get beyond bad feelings to recognize some of the positive things that have happened, such as the establishment of anti-gang and recreation programs.

In recent weeks, the case has unleashed further emotions, with two sets of sentences. On Jan. 13, Superior Court Judge Everett W. Dickey spared prison sentences for two of six young men charged in the slaying.

He ordered them confined at a California Youth Authority facility, which must release the youths by the time they turn 25. That order resulted in an unfortunate campaign to recall Dickey with the help of the group that co-sponsored Proposition 187, the anti-illegal immigration initiative. Then on Jan. 27, a third young man, a reputed gang member, was sentenced to 26 years to life in prison for the killing. That sentence was hailed by friends of the victim, but criticized by others as overly harsh.

Much of the charged atmosphere of this case has arisen from questions of race. Latino rights leaders have raised questions about the portrayal of defendants. Proposition 187 advocates charge that some of the defendants were illegal immigrants, even though the district attorney’s office has said no such determination has been made.

Meanwhile, prosecutors have never revealed who threw the paint roller that broke through one of the vehicle windows and pierced the head of Steve Woods. He and his friends were driving to the exit in the parking lot after a confrontation when their vehicles were bombarded with objects.

The case, has been a wrenching experiences for the families and for the larger community. But uncertainty over the facts overshadows everything. The case makes a poor taking off point for generalizations about hot button issues. What it does tell us is that we need to redouble efforts to foster understanding between ethnic groups, especially in suburbs.