In May of 2022, the SF Chronicle published a story with the headline S.F. looks to calm its streets with Urban Alchemy, a nonprofit that hires the formerly incarcerated. How is it going?
Featured and photographed in the article was Mara Paradox, an employee of Urban Alchemy who worked outside as an ambassador in UN Plaza.
From the May 2022 SF Chronicle article:
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An employee who messes up may get another chance. Mara Paradox, a nonbinary exhibition artist hired months ago, was in their second training after they relapsed in drug use and went back into rehab. They told the class they’ve been in jail, homeless and raped.
In the May article, Paradox credits Urban Alchemy for helping to learn about herself, adding “I’ve had 20 years of homelessness off and on, and this has given me great purpose.”
While working for Urban Alchemy, Mara could regularly be seen at the corners of 7th and Market and McAllister and Larkin. For a variety of reasons, Mara stands out in a crowd. So when she suddenly stopped working in the neighborhood, the absence was noticeable.
The details:
On Thursday, December 1, 2022, there was a hearing to determine whether Mara Paradox should remain in custody or be released. Paradox, represented by Garry Preneta, appeared in person and in custody, however the she remained mostly quiet during the proceedings.
Mr. Preneta opened the hearing by referencing an activity that took place last week - the court had reviewed footage of the most recent incident that stemmed attempted murder charges. Preneta characterized the court's opinion after viewing the footage as not deeming the actions to "look like" attempted murder, to which no affirmation or rejection was offered by the judge. Despite the incident not looking like attempted murder, Preneta conceded that Paradox's actions resulted in a victim sustaining injuries and/or being stabbed.
Preneta requested his client be released on electronic monitoring (ankle monitor) and to maintain residence at HealthRight360, adding that he's "worked with Mara over the last couple years... she does very well when she's in a program. She just does. That is what I can tell the court."
The Judge mentioned that since the last hearing, the court had received a recommendation for pre-trial diversion and for Ms. Paradox to be released to the ACF program, reporting 5 times per week by phone for supervision, and to complete the residential treatment program at HealthRight360.
The People, represented by Assistant District Attorney Annie Curtis-Sanchez, unabashedly objected to the release, indicating that they filed a motion to detain Paradox and they stand by that motion.
Ms. Curtis-Sanchez detailed the defendant's recent procedural history to inform the court and back the People's objection to release. In 2020, an attempted murder case was sent to pre-trial diversion and Paradox participated in the Mental Health Court. However, at some point, Paradox was "rather upset at some issues in Mental Health Court and didn't show up for one of her court dates." A bench warrant was issued which brought the case from the Mental Court to the Criminal Court.
At the time, Judge Van Aken gave the defendant the option to "go to programming and try that out," according to Ms. Curtis-Sanchez. When ultimately deciding to release Paradox, the judge cited the age of the cases and Paradox's positive performance in the program up until the point it went sour.
"Unfortunately, that did not work, and she left the program rather quickly, argued Curtis-Sanchez. After ditching the program, Paradox picked up a dirk and dagger charge on October 5, 2022. Records obtained by Fog City Underworld show that as part of this incident, Paradox was also charged with unlawful alteration of an imitation firearm, giving false information to the police, and obstruction of an officer.
The dirk and dagger case was sent to ACM pretrial diversion and Paradox was released again to a program, only to promptly leave again to pick up the most recent attempted murder case on November 12, 2022.
- Assistant District Attorney Annie Curtis-Sanchez
While not explicitly said, the implication she is making is that releasing Paradox presents a safety risk for the People and we the people are insane for expecting different results. ADA Curtis-Sanchez artfully and respectfully continued that “we’ve tried this before and unfortunately more cases have been picked up.”
Sensing a lull in the People's argument, Paradox’s attorney Mr. Preneta said that "all of these things seem to happen because of drug addiction. When she was in behavioral health court, she was doing very well because she was being monitored and getting treatment.”
The final argument before the judge’s decision was a bit of a bombshell out of the ADA’s mouth: the victim of the most recent attempted murder charge met Paradox at HealthRight360.
HealthRight360, along with the Department of Public Health and Urban Alchemy, administer the Tenderloin Center, which is set to be closed this week. HealthRight360 has various offices, operations, and shelters, and the exact location of the alleged crime is not yet known to Fog City Underworld.
Bombshell or not, the judge seemed unswayed and swiftly ordered Paradox to be released, citing his respect for the recommendation of the in-custody referral.
As part of Paradox's release, she must meet the following conditions:
- Released on electronic home monitoring and must check in by phone 5 times per week
- Home detention at HealthRight360
- She can leave HealthRight360 for purposes of attending any specifically recommended program.
At the time of the hearing, HealthRight 360 indicated that a bed was available for Paradox.
Upcoming criminal hearings for Mara Paradox:
