"I don't think it's right, Mariposa County Sheriff Jeremy Briese said in a Facebook Live video Monday in which he informed the community of the release."
"We followed every directive within our legal authority. We want to be clear: We fought to keep Mr. Wackerman in custody, but the final decision was issued by the court, he said."
"Bottom line: The Oak Fire was one of the most devastating events in Mariposa County's history, the sheriff said. We should have been given adequate time to secure an agreed-upon placement facility. Mr. Wackerman should not have been released. The California Attorney General's Office should have fought harder for our community."
Edward Wackerman, 73, left Mariposa County Jail Dec. 8 with an ankle monitor and will await trial at his Midpines home. Jail staff testified that his health declined during 30 months in custody and that medical needs could no longer be accommodated at the county jail. Sheriff Jeremy Briese expressed outrage and said staff were not granted time to arrange a transfer to another facility. Wackerman was arrested in June 2023 on suspicion of setting four intentional fires, with the July 21, 2022 blaze becoming the Oak Fire that burned 19,244 acres and destroyed 127 homes. The sheriff criticized outdated pretrial custody laws and called for stronger action from the California Attorney General's Office.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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