A federal jury this week convicted six members of the MS-13 gang, which prosecutors say terrorized San Francisco’s Mission District, on charges of racketeering and conspiracy. Three defendants were also found guilty of murder. Prosecutors used the testimony of informants — active gang members wearing wires — as part of their evidence. We talk with gang experts and a former gang member about the case.
MS-13 Gang Convictions
(Yuri Cortez/AFP/Getty)
Guests:
Justin Scheck, reporter for the Wall Street Journal who covered the MS-13 trial
Susan Cruz, former member of a transnational gang who started an organization to help rehabilitate former gang members in Los Angeles
Thomas W. Ward, lecturer in anthropology at the University of Southern California who has studied youth violence and gangs, globalization, gang intervention and prevention
Lauren Smiley, staff writer for SF Weekly
Steven Gruel, former federal prosecutor now in private practice and lead prosecutor in the Nuestra Familia prison gang case
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