BILL NUMBER:  SB 1589
  VETOED	DATE: 09/28/2008




To the Members of the California State Senate:

I am returning Senate Bill 1589 without my signature.

Since a wrongful conviction can exact a devastating toll on the
accused and their families, every worthwhile effort should be made to
avoid their occurrence.  Because this bill would not reduce the
number of wrongful convictions, I am unable to support it.
In-custody informant testimony is disfavored and therefore rarely
used.  When such testimony is necessary, current rules of evidence
provide adequate safeguards against its misuse.  The evaluation of
the credibility of a witness has always been uniquely within the
province of the jury.  This bill would usurp the juries' function by
fixing in statute a rule that all in-custody informants have lied
before the fact.

For these reasons, I am unable to sign this bill.

Sincerely,



Arnold Schwarzenegger