City prosecutors from the District Attorney's office are convinced accusations of domestic abuse against newly sworn-in Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi are "very real," the Chronicle's mustachioed super sleuths report today. Although Mirkarimi's wife, Eliana Lopez has assured the public that she has no complaint against her husband and that the whole thing has been taken "out of context," the DA's office believes they have enough evidence to build a misdemeanor case.
That evidence, according to the Chronicle's sources in the DA's office, includes video of a bruise of Lopez's arm and text messages discussing the incident. SFPD officers got the video and text evidence after searching the home of the neighbor (and Mirkarimi for Sheriff campaign supporter) who reported the alleged abuse.
Mirkarimi's attorney, meanwhile, has called the case "flimsy", explaining that the misdemeanor charges would be about the worst damage the DA's prosecutors could do. Under state and federal law, however, Mirkarimi would have to surrender his gun if he is convicted, making him the only unarmed sheriff in California.
Update: In an unrelated press conference, Gascón explained that he will make a final decision on whether or not to bring charges against Sheriff Mirkarimi by Thursday or Friday of this week. He also explained that Lopez is currently not cooperating with investigators — a common problem in domestic violence cases involving the victim's partner, according to the DA whose office handled 700 cases last year. The Chronicle, meanwhile, is calling for the Sheriff to take a leave of absence.
Previously: Judge Declines To Swear In Ross Mirkarimi As Sheriff, Ross Mirkarimi Investigated in Domestic Abuse Incident
