Healey facing renewed criticism in wake of Javonte Robinson Arrest

Gov Maura Healey is facing renewed criticism from her Republican challengers after a Mattapan man previously charged with possession of a deadly weapon had that affair dismissed due to the constituents defender shortage only to be arrested Sunday for a fatal stabbing Javonte Robinson is accused of stabbing a man to death Saturday night He had been facing charges from August accusing him pf possession of a dangerous weapon knife and class A drugs While he was published on personal recognizance on those charges his criminal affair was ultimately dismissed in October due to the Lavelle Protocol a state protocol that requires defendants utilizing an appointed counsel cannot wait over days for representation Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Shortsleeve blasted Healey for her handling of the shortage saying this should never happen in a functioning state cabinet Under Governor Healey the state failed to pay populace defenders adequately failed to ensure the courts had the staffing they needed and failed to protect the community That is unacceptable and it is dangerous Following an event at the State House Tuesday Gov Healey informed the Herald my condolences go out to the victim s family and it sounds like a horrific case In terms of the circumstance you ll have to ask the local DA and others about the specific circumstances of when he was issued and how he was issued In terms of the situation in the courts right now Look the legislature worked and I signed to make sure that there was additional funding for more advocates There s also a pilot venture running back in the courts and I understand there are more lawyers back in the courts right now representing criminal defendants Healey added Shortsleeve announced the issues is not a question of tools In every step of the way Maura Healey has used supplemental budgets exigency powers to fund things that are pivotal to her Like free phone calls for prisoners putting thousands of refugees into the Home Base operation declared Shortsleeve The state has got a lot of money and it s been clear she s willing to use that for her priorities Clearly this is not a priority Maura Healey could have taken action to solve this concern six months ago and she didn t Citizens defenders launched a work stoppage in May seeking a -an hour increase from the then- -an hour rate at district courts Lawmakers approved a increase over two years a change that will bump general defender pay to -an hour in But bar advocates were seeking a -an hour rate and multiple say the hike approved by the legislature is not adequate Fellow Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Minogue also placed the blame on Healey The fundamental role of the governor is to uphold the law and keep our communities safe This is another example of our governor failing to solve problems and run an organization that has a horrible impact on the victim and their families Minogue reported Republican candidate for governor Mike Kennealy also weighed in blaming both Healey and Beacon Hill Democrats No matter how you look at this Maura Healey and the Democratic supermajority in the legislature are responsible for this Kennealy explained the Herald If we can t fund our criminal justice system the administration is developing the social contract with its citizens