Third Strike

Rackauckas—who apparently is spending too much time in an office full of starched shirts, monogrammed rings and frat-house egos—hasn't been as logical as Carmona. Reading a prepared statement at a hastily called Aug. 21 press conference, the DA had the audacity to lecture Carmona through the media.

"Arthur," Rackauckas said with phony personal familiarity and avuncular concern, "it is a rare event that a convicted defendant gets this kind of break."

Those of you about to serve jury duty in Orange County's criminal courts should remember that inadvertently enlightening statement.