Victims’ Services Unit
DEATH PENALTY BACKGROUND INFO
View Background - People v. Michael Angelo Morales 
[PDF 1.5 mb / 54 pg]. In addition to information on the death penalty in California, this document provides factual descriptions and background in the case of Michael Angelo Morales, who was convicted by a Ventura County jury in 1983 and sentenced to be executed. Morales has petitioned the Governor for a granting of clemency. The background information includes a factual descriptions of the crime, photographs of the victim, victim impact statements from family members and a case chronology
View Background - People v. Clarence Ray Allen [PDF 4.4 mb / 52 pg]. In addition to information on capital punishment in California, this document provides factual descriptions of the multiple violent felony crimes for which Clarence Ray Allen was convicted and executed; a chronology of the litigation in this case; photographs of the victims; and victim impact statements from family members.
Victims' Services Unit offers crime victims and their families support and information at every stage of the criminal process. Victims have rights, and the Attorney General is committed to ensuring that those rights are protected. Victims' Services Unit provides appeal notification to victims and their families, as well as assistance and outreach when the Attorney General’s Office is prosecuting a case. Additionally, Victims’ Services Unit provides resource information to all victims. To receive notification of the status of an appeal or status updates on a case that the Attorney General’s Office is prosecuting visit: Marsy's Law - Victim Notification. To obtain resource information, contact Victims’ Services Unit at
1-(877) 433-9069 or via email.
The Deputy Attorney General for the Victims’ Services Unit is Deborah Bain. Ms. Bain is a former deputy district attorney in Yolo County and El Dorado County. Ms. Bain has prosecuted a variety of cases including, but not limited to, robbery, kidnap, rape and murder. She was the vertical prosecutor for domestic violence, child molest and sexual assault cases. She is a three time recipient of the Victim Witness Service Award for Outstanding Service to Victims of Crime. She has served as a staff counsel for the Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board and a senior staff counsel with the Board of Parole Hearings.
Ms. Bain states, "The guiding principle of the Victims’ Service Unit is to provide support, information and assistance to victims at every stage of the criminal process. It is an essential service in empowering victims."
Through the Victims’ Services Unit, crime victims and the family of victims now are able to track the status of appeals and recusal cases. These updates allow victims and family survivors to exercise their rights to testify or otherwise participate in parole, clemency and execution proceedings.
Color Guard and Mural of Murder Victims at the California Capitol for April 20 event marking National Victims Rights Week. The Office of the Attorney General and the Victims' Service Unit joined in addressing the importance of coordinated services for crime victims.