Black Ministers Call for Prosecutor’s Resignation

A group of black San Fernando Valley ministers on Monday called for the resignation of a prosecutor who recommended the unusually low bail of $20,000 for two white Northridge college students accused of murdering a black Pacoima pastor.

Although the $20,000 bail was later revoked, the ministers accused Deputy Dist. Atty. Billy Webb of racism for initially recommending low bail and called for Webb to resign or be fired.

“This shows a lack of respect to the black community and the community in general,” said Pastor James V. Lyles, president of the Ministers Fellowship of the Greater San Fernando Valley. The pastors made their comments at a news conference at the San Fernando Courthouse where Webb is the head prosecutor and where Philip J. Dimenno, and Dana L. Singer on Monday pleaded not guilty to murder in the July 28 shooting death of Carl White, pastor of the Apostolic Temple Church.