The San Bernardino District Attorney's Office

What They Are Supposed to Do:

Ken's death was work related. The County Coroner recommended to the San Bernardino District Attorney's office that this accident be investigated because it was a work related Industrial Accident. San Bernardino District Attorney, Dennis Stout, could and should have decided to investigate the accident to determine if the safety laws that were broken were serious enough to bring criminal charges. He should at least respond in a timely manner to inquiries about a case over which his office has jurisdiction.

The Reality:

After talking to the coroner and reviewing his report we attempted to get the San Bernardino District Attorney's Office to investigate the accident. They not only chose to do no investigation but they never acknowledged our calls or letters. Only after two years of calling, leaving messages and writing to the San Bernardino District Attorney's Office did we finally receive a reply back. The assistant district attorney, who wrote, was representing District Attorney Dennis Stout and in his letter to us he apologized for the delay and for failing us.

In the letter we received (Click here to view) they acknowledged that only the California Highway Patrol was investigating a work-related accident. They also saw the final report and knew there was no investigation of the dune buggy involved. They did not question why the California Department of Labor was not investigating a work-related fatality, and this is beyond understanding. They failed to do their job and they failed to assist in finding out the facts behind our son's death. Rather than be helpful or at least compassionate the district attorney's office chose to do absolutely nothing.

Return to The Investigation page.