A San Francisco judge is faced with a troubling decision regarding Troy McAlister, a repeat offender who allegedly killed two women while driving a stolen car under the influence of meth. The case from 2020 has now spanned over 40 hearings, motions, and conferences, yet McAlister has not seen his day in court.
At a recent hearing on October 3, instead of setting a trial date, McAlister’s public defender requested that the judge allow him to enter a drug diversion program. This request could shift McAlister’s case to San Francisco Drug Court, which emphasizes treatment rather than punishment. “Research continuously shows that long-term structured treatment far improves public safety over simple incarceration,” said McAlister’s defense attorney, Scott Grant. This perspective underscores a broader trend in the justice system, where treatment is often favored over incarceration.
However, many are frustrated with what they perceive as leniency within the San Francisco justice system. Outside the court, protesters voiced their discontent. “Troy McAlister has been charged with 91 felonies over the course of his multi-decade career here in San Francisco,” said Scotty Jacobs, director of Blueprint for a Better San Francisco. “We don’t think that someone should be given infinite chances to ultimately correct course.” This sentiment reflects a significant concern among citizens who believe the justice system is failing to protect them by coddling habitual offenders.
On December 31, 2020, McAlister allegedly struck and killed 60-year-old Elizabeth Platt and 27-year-old Hanako Abe with the stolen vehicle. After the incident, he fled the scene but was later apprehended by police. His arrest included a multitude of serious charges—manslaughter, driving a stolen vehicle, hit and run, and driving under the influence—all while possessing methamphetamines and an illegally owned firearm.
McAlister’s lengthy criminal history illustrates a pattern of dangerous behavior. His most recent arrest occurred just ten days prior to the fatal incident. He had already violated parole multiple times, yet they went unpunished during the tenure of former District Attorney Chesa Boudin. At one point, McAlister faced a potential life sentence for robbery and other violent felonies, but he was spared, a decision that many now question.
Jacobs emphasized the seriousness of the situation: “While there are certain people who should be granted diversion and ultimately given the opportunity to rebuild their lives, Troy McAlister has demonstrated that despite being given that opportunity multiple times, he has continued to pose a threat to San Franciscans, and we believe he needs to be in jail.”
The upcoming hearing on October 28 will determine whether McAlister’s case moves forward in a drug diversion program or if he will finally face trial for the lives he allegedly took and the cycle of crime that haunts his history. This situation highlights not just McAlister’s past, but the ongoing debate over how to best approach severe criminal behavior in a system that often seems torn between compassion and public safety.
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