Rina Palta Crime and Safety Reporter
Rina Palta is a Crime and Safety Reporter for KPCC.
Rina spent the past few years reporting on California's prisons, jails, and law enforcement agencies, focusing on how crime and the criminal justice system impact communities. She comes to Southern California from the Bay Area, where she launched the Informant, a digital collaboration between NPR and KALW. Her reporting there on juvenile justice earned a PASS Award from the National Council on Crime and Delinquency.
Palta is a graduate of Haverford College and UC Berkeley's Graduate School of Journalism. In her spare time, she's a world-class eater and aspiring surfer.
Stories by Rina Palta
Dale Hurd convicted of 1993 murder after third trial
Dale Hurd has been tried three times for killing his wife in 1993. Prosecutors hope Thursday's guilty verdict will be the final word in the case.
Why some defendants, against all odds, go it alone
Two defendants in high-profile cases in Los Angeles invoked their constitutional right to act as their own attorneys. An expert says it's not good legal strategy.
Man accused of attacking Giants fan to represent himself
Louie Sanchez, accused of sucker-punching a Giants fan the Dodger Stadium parking lot and leaving the victim with brain damage, is acting as his own attorney.
Jose Luis Saenz appears in downtown LA courtroom
Jose Luis Saenz, fresh off an appearance in a Pomona courtroom Monday, appeared in Downtown L.A. Tuesday to face three additional murder charges.
Evidence "voluminous" in Giants fan's beating case
The case will not be heard this year, as defense attorneys need months to review mounds of documents that will likely be presented at trial.
Police chiefs want a piece of prison realignment funding
Police chiefs in L.A. County say they're bearing much of the brunt of prison realignment without getting any of the resources to manage it.
Paramount man killed in deputy-involved shooting
The L.A. Sheriff's Department says Jose Toloza ran from sheriff's deputies after they confronted him on a Compton street Wednesday around 7:40pm.
UPDATE: LA County sheriff's deputy charged with murder
On Wednesday, LAPD detectives detained veteran Deputy Francisco Gamez on suspicion of homicide. On Thursday, he was formally charged with murder.
Woman charged in murder of man who tried to stop church taggers
Janeth Lopez has been charged with murder, attempted murder and vandalism in connection with the shootings of two men who tried to stop a graffiti attack on a church.
LAPD still trying to attract more women officers
Since 1982, LAPD has been trying to get to the elusive goal of 20% women in its sworn officer ranks, but it still can't hit the mark
Inglewood man killed by Sheriff's Deputies in Willowbrook
Jose de la Trinidad was the passenger in a car that led deputies on a low-speed chase after they attempted to pull it over for a traffic violation.
Martin Hoshino to take over as acting prisons secretary
With Secretary Matt Cate leaving, Martin Hoshino will assume the reigns of one of the world's largest prison systems on Monday morning.
Study: Hiring more police cuts violent crime
A UC Berkeley study released Thursday concludes that a high per capita ratio of police cuts down on violent crime — and saves money.
CA prisons reform isolation units but inmates say more change needed
Prison officials have rolled out reforms in the state's isolation units but some inmates say more changes are needed.
$50,000 reward offered for info on Westlake church murder
Anonymous witnesses have come forward in Sunday's murder outside a Westlake church, but not enough, police said, likely because they're scared.
