T&T Update on Several Cases

UPDATE 1/23/15 Dawn DaLuise case
UPDATE 1/21/15 spelling, clarity
January 20, 2015
Hope all is well with everyone in the new year.

This is just a short post to let T&T readers know that I haven't dropped off the face of the earth and forgotten about covering cases. One of my main priorities is being the financial manager for Mr. Sprocket's business. Through November and December, I helped Mr. Sprocket put together some difficult proposals for his business and I'm helping with another difficult proposal this month, too. Additionally, the December holidays are the busiest time of year for my home business.

A big Thank You, to those of you have inquired about how Mr. Sprocket is doing since his heart attack last May. He's actually doing quite well. He's only gained three pounds since losing over 30 in the ICU. His latest blood work tests were pretty good considering where he was six months ago.

Here are some short updates on the cases I'm covering as well as a new trial I'm going to cover in the next week.

Cameron Brown - Next Hearing: 1/27/15
To recap, Brown is charged with first degree murder in the November 8, 2000, death of his 4 year old daughter, Lauren. Prosecutors allege Brown threw his daughter off of Inspiration Point, a 120ft cliff in Rancho Palos Verdes. Brown has had two hung juries and will be going to trial for a third time.

Although I had to miss the last two pretrial hearings in the Cameron Brown case, I believe I will be able to make the next one on January 27th. Last time I dropped in on the case, a trial date was tentatively set for April 2015.

Michael Gargiulo 1/9/15
Gargiulo is charged with a total of seven counts and is facing the death penalty. His charges include two counts of murder, one count of attempted murder and one count of attempted escape. At the November pretrial hearing, Gargiulo relinquished his pro per status. Charles Lindner has been reinstated as defense counsel.

I'm still working on getting my notes finished for the last hearing on January 9, 2015. The next pretrial hearing in Gargiulo's case will be March 20, 2015. As of the January 9 hearing, the status of Gargiulo being able to have massive amounts of court documents with him in his cell hasn't been resolved yet. There will be more on that, in my post that I hope to have up in a few days.

Dawn DaLuise 1/12/15 - UPDATE
DaLuise is charged with one count of murder for hire. Opening statements started on January 9, 2015.  I missed the first day of trial since I was covering the Gargiulo hearing downtown. I attended the second day of trial on January 12, when the prosecution presented their first three witnesses. Local ABC 7 covered the case with well known sketch artist, Mona Edwards providing visual color for their on air reports. You can read a bit of their trial coverage and see some sketches at this link. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend any more of the trial. According to the DA's calendar, closing arguments will be presented tomorrow. It's a good bet the jury will get the case sometime in the afternoon on Wednesday.

1/23/15
On Thursday, January 22, a jury found Dawn DaLuise not guilty of attempted murder. According to ABC Channel 7 article:

Dawn DaLuise, a former model and skin care business owner, was arrested in March 2014 for allegedly trying to contract former NFL player Chris Geile to murder rival business owner Gabriel Suarez.

During the trial, Geile testified that he was a shoulder to cry on for DaLuise, but that he never thought she was trying to solicit him to commit murder.

The ABC story has video of DaLuise with her attorney, Jamon Hicks after the verdict.

Rafael Enrique Martinez, Jr. 1/13/15
After the Gargiulo hearing, Deputy District Attorney Daniel Akemon mentioned that his next case, a cold case, would be at the Van Nuys Courthouse, Dept. V.

People v. Martinez is scheduled to start on January 26, 2015 and is expected to take about three weeks with an additional 3 to 5 days for jury selection. Although I dropped in on a case or two this past year, the last trial I covered from start to finish was the Kelly Soo Park trial in 2013. This would be a chance to cover a relatively short case close to home. The first trial I ever attended was at the Van Nuys Courthouse. It was the Robert Blake trial back in 2004-2005, long before the start of T&T.  One of the reasons I'm interested in attending this trial is the fact that the defense has informed the court that the defendant is expected to take the stand and testify in his own defense.

Rafael Enrique Martinez, Jr., allegedly a member of La Eme, is charged with 187 felony murder in the deaths of Nancy Boehm (pronounced "Beem") and her son Shawn in a North Hollywood neighborhood back in September 1997. It's my understanding that Shawn, 23, was autistic with the mind of a 12 year old. He was often seen by neighbors riding his bicycle around the neighborhood.

Martinez was already serving a 14 year sentence in prison for voluntary manslaughter when he was identified as a suspect in these murders. The prosecution will introduce evidence that Martinez's DNA was found under Nancy's fingernails. Here is an LA Times article that give a few facts of the case and Martinez's arrest in November 2009.

I attended a pretrial hearing in the case on Tuesday, where Judge Susan Speer ruled on several defense and prosecution motions in limine regarding the admissibility of evidence. Judge Speer is an atractive, bespeckled woman with short, blondish straight hair that stops above her shoulders.

Rafael Martinez is represented by Tom Burns with the Alternate Public Defender's Office. Mr. Burns is a slender man with gray hair. When I arrived, I made sure to check in with the bailiff and to ask if Judge Speer allowed journalists to use laptops for note taking only. She does. When DDA Akemon arrived, it was evident that several of the deputies in Judge Speer's courtroom were happy to see him. One female deputy told me that they miss Mr. Akemon. He used to work in the DA's Van Nuys office, Hardcore Gang Division. It's my understanding that DDA Akemon has tried a few cases before Judge Speer before.

1/20/15
I was back at the Van Nuys Courthouse again today, for Judge Speer's rulings on defense motions to admit evidence of third party culpability. One of these motions overlapped a prosecution motion to exclude certain evidence. When I arrived on the 8th floor of Van Nuys West I got a surprise. In the hallway was none other than former DDA Alan Jackson. Many of you may remember Jackson from the Spector case as well as the James Fayed case. Jackson is in private practice now, mostly handling civil matters. I got a hello hug from Jackson and he asked me why I was here. I told him that I'm following one of DDA Akemon's cases. Akemon and Jackson are good friends from when they worked together in the DA's Major Crimes Division.

Inside Dept V, there is a single outlet on the left wall and I grabbed that seat so I could use my laptop. The morning session was entirely taken up by pretrial hearings in other cases.  While I was waiting on the Martinez case, I tried keeping my eye on the door for when DDA Akemon and Mr. Burns would arrive. A few hours into the morning session I looked back at the door and saw one of the Van Nuys Cowboys, Detective Pete Barba. "The Cowboys" were the team of homicide detectives that solved the cold case murder of Sherri Rasmussen and led to the arrest of LAPD Detective Stephanie Lazarus. I caught Barba's eye, gave him a smile and wave. 

After hearing oral arguments from the defense and counter arguments from the people, Judge Speer denied defense motions to introduce evidence of potential third party culpability by three different individuals. Judge Speer informs counsel that she read almost every case before the California Supreme Court and Appeals Court regarding 3rd Party Culpability evidence.

The court then went over every item in detail that the defense wanted to admit and then gave her reasons why that evidence did not meet the standard. Mr. Burns gave a valiant effort in oral argument to defend some of the evidence he was trying to have admitted. The court did rule that the defense will be allowed to introduce the fact that fingerprints from some identified and some unidentified individuals were found in the residence, but she placed limitations on the jury being presented with each and every name for prints that were identified.

Judge Speer then outlined for counsel her general trial procedures. DDA Akemon is familiar but Mr. Burns was not. 16 jurors will be selected for this trial. Since there are only 14 seats in the jury box, two jurors will sit outside the jury box and in the row of gallery seats directly in front of it.

I found it interesting that Judge Speer does not designate alternate jurors at the start of the trial. All 16 jurors will be sworn in as jurors. After the trial is completed and the jurors have been read jury instructions, four juror numbers will be randomly selected from a hat to be the alternates. Judge Speer indicated that she feels this method has all jurors pay more attention to the evidence if they don't know if they will be an alternate or not. This method also gives counsel more preemptive strikes. She explained it to counsel, but I wasn't quite following the details of that.

For voir dire, Judge Speer will go through the hardship questions and then she uses a preset list of questions for the first 16 jurors in the box. Once she has asked each juror her questions on that form, she will open up voir dire to counsel. She indicated she would give 20 minutes to each counsel. Mr. Burns appeared concerned about that short amount of time for the first jurors in the box. Judge Speer uses CALCRIM instructions (verses CALJIC) and she types up her own jury instructions.

One of Judge Speer's pet peeves is running out of witnesses in the afternoons. She reminds counsel to have their witnesses stacked with no more than 30 minute call times.  Counsel confirm to the court that they will not need any interpreters for witnesses.

Judge Speer tells counsel that she does not want speaking objections during testimony. She will make a note of the objections and typically will wait until the next break to argue those objections on the record outside the presence of the jury.  To me, it sounds like this would reduce the number of bench sidebars.

 When Judge Speer is finished, I believe it's the Sheriff's Department that asks for a Wilson hearing and presents a number of inmate discipline reports for the defendant. Judge Speer reads into the record the incidents the Sheriff's Dept. provided on the defendant. These incidents involve the defendant not complying with deputy's orders, difficult situations for the sheriffs involving threatening statements, talking back to deputies, and swearing.  Judge Speer states that the defendant is convicted of voluntary manslaughter, associated with La Eme and that the people are seeking life without possibility of parole. Judge Speer rules there is a manifest need to utilize a type of restraint on the defendant. An invisible stealth belt will be connected to the back of the chair.

The defense objects. Mr. Burns argues, "I don’t believe there’s enough evidence. He’s been coming to court without any disturbance. ... He has every incentive to be a gentleman in the courtroom. ... They (the jury) are going to decide his fate. He knows they're going to decide his fate and he knows this. ... And he's a smart man. I don't think there's any cause to restrain him."

Judge Speer responds, "Mr. Burns, I’ve been in so many courtrooms where it would seem counter productive for a defendant to act out." Judge Speer recounts to the defense her own experiences of having people be injured, stabbed, reporters injured, and her own experience of having to crawl under a desk. She adds that it usually happens outside the presence of the jury.

DDA Akemon replies, "The people concur with the Sheriffs Department on the analysis and request. The incident in custody of violence and other nonconforming behavior, Mr. Martinez's connection to the Mexican Mafia, ... I think there is a manifest need in this case."

Mr. Burns asks about a shock belt being used instead. The Sheriff's representative informs the court that those are no longer being used. Mr. Burns asks to see the stealth belt and the deputy takes out and and shows him how it's used. It is attached around the waist and hidden under a jacket or a pulled out shirt. It's explained to Mr. Burns that with the stealth belt, the jurors will not be able to see that the defendant is restrained to the chair. It is the least visible and the most minimal restraint. The defendant's arms and hands will be free.

And that's it for today. Counsel is ordered back at 9:30 for any last minute decisions. The jurors are expected at 10:00 am.

I will be back for the first day of trial in the hopes that in this small courtroom and a total of 61 fixed folding seats in the gallery, I will be able to attend voir dire. It will all depend on the judge and available seating. I believe the court may have already pre-qualified 75 jurors. That's a lot of jurors to cram into that courtroom.

LAPD Detective Rick Jackson's Retirement Dinner

October 24th, 2013
I’ve known about Rick Jackson long before the early days of my writing career. I got to learn more about him when I attended pretrial hearings on a case that Rick was involved in, the Kazuyoshi Miura case. Rick was the cold case detective who in 2008, flew to Saipan (a US territory) on an outstanding warrant to retrieve Miura for the November 1981 murder-for-hire of his wife, Kazumi, on a downtown Los Angeles street. Miura was originally convicted of this murder in his native Japan, but ten years later a higher court overturned the verdict and he was set free.  He was rearrested on California's outstanding warrant when he set foot in Saipan.

Rick Jackson, left, with Kazuyoshi Miura, 
getting off the plane in Los Angeles

Photo credit: Unknown

Fast forward many years later. It wasn't until March 2012 when my friend Matthew McGough gave a reading on his first book Batboy, at the Pasadena Library that I finally got to meet Jackson (a long-time baseball fan) in person.  That day was memorable for me because I got to talk with him about some of the noteworthy cases he worked, such as the Pierre Romain case and the murder in the Chatsworth tunnel. Jackson didn't have any business cards on him at the time, so he wrote out his contact information and phone number on a piece of paper. I still have it. For a detective, Jackson has excellent penmanship.

In the past year, I've had the opportunity to run into Rick a few times down at court and out on the downtown streets getting lunch with Matthew. Rick has an easy going attitude and a twinkle in his eyes when he smiles. When I heard about Rick's retirement and plans for an honorary dinner, I let Matthew know I hoped I could get on the invitation list.

Retirement Dinner - Familiar Faces
The event was being held at the El Paseo Inn on Olvera Street. As is the case with me, I failed to read the fine print on the flier.  I thought I could get there by 6:15 PM and be there in plenty of time. However, cocktails started at 5:00 PM. I had contacted Matthew about possibly catching a ride with him but he was already getting ready to leave. I was on my own. This was to be a casual event, just as Rick requested. I found out hours after I arrived that there was no formal dinner time. If you decided to sit down at a table, the restaurant would serve you.

When I got to the restaurant, the place was packed. Rick has made quite a few friends in his distinguished career.  Just as you enter the restaurant, the bar is to your right.  A few steps forward from the entrance, there are steps down to a lower level with dinner seating and tall casual tables to stand at.  On the lower level were photos of Rick on the back wall during several stages of his career.

There was an open bar and the party was in full swing.  I was trying to find my way in a sea of distinguished looking LAPD Detectives, former detectives, LAPD civilian staff and deputy DA's from the District Attorney's office.  Just as I had entered I saw Major Crimes Department Head Gary Hearnsberger leaving. I was definitely late to the party.

Looking through the crowd, I tried to find familiar faces. What most readers don't realize is, I haven't attended that many trials or gotten to know very many officers.  I'm actually a very shy person, a wallflower really, and still have difficulty approaching people to introduce myself. I located Matthew near the bar and tried to listen in on his conversation. 

Fortunately, I did see some familiar faces. Josh Mankiewicz from NBC's Dateline was there, sans tie as usual. We chatted about his new assignment of watching Dateline with fans. Supervising Detective Rob Bub from the Van Nuys Homicide Unit (The Cowboys) arrived and I got to talk to him about the Raul Lopez murder. There's still no arrest in that case. I saw DDA John Lewin chatting up actor Miguel Ferrer about Miguel's career. Rick has always spoken very highly of Lewin. Surprising to me, Lewin remembered seeing me at one of the Lois Goodman pretrial hearings.

One of the most brilliant stars in the DA's office, DDA Beth Silverman was there. I caught her eye and got a chance to say hello. Not only is Beth prosecuting Lonnie Franklin, Jr., aka the "Grim Sleeper," she's also assigned to the Samuel Little case, a suspected serial killer and another case that Rick worked.

Also in attendance was longtime crime beat reporter Andrew Blankstein, who I met at the Van Nuys Courthouse attending my first murder trial, the Robert Blake case. Andrew recently jumped ship from the Los Angeles Times to join NBC's Dateline.

I got to meet author Miles Corwin and tell him I saw him testify in the Robert Blake trial. Corwin trailed LAPD's Robbery-Homicide Division for an entire year and wrote a book, Homicide Special about the unit. Besides Rick, several of the detectives mentioned in Miles' book were also here. One of the cases in the book was the Robert Blake case. Because Miles was trailing RHD, Blake's defense attorney's dragged him into the trial. I'll never forget when Miles testified that he had destroyed all his notebooks that comprised his research for the book. Because I arrived so late, I missed meeting authors Joseph Wambaugh and Michael Connelly. Connelly wrote this nice farewell piece to Detective Jackson.

I got to speak briefly to Judge Ricardo Ocampo, who I met during the first Phil Spector trial. I remember when Judge Ocampo's daughter was sitting in the gallery one day during the Spector trial.

A pretty face I was very happy to see was DDA Francis Young. Francis, along with DDA Sean Carney did the preliminary hearing in the Gerhard Becker case. I talked to Francis about the Joshua Woodward prelim I was attending.  I also got to meet a few of Ricks former partners: Detectives Tim Marcia, Elizabeth Camacho, and Mitzi Roberts. I saw Detective Greg Stearns (who was part of the team that conducted that famous Lazarus interview) but never got a chance to say hello. 

Rick's Speech
Later in the evening, Rick took to the podium to talk about some of the people he's had the pleasure to work with. I miss hearing the very beginning of his speech. I wove my way from the back of the restaurant to the podium so I could hear better and take a few pictures.

Rick Jackson and Buddy at the podium

Sitting at a table near the podium are Rick's children, his fiance Debbie and other close family members. There were quite a few retired coworkers and people who flew in from out of state to be here for the event.

When I get down front, Rick is reading from a piece of paper. It's one of his elaborate pranks he's pulled on a long time colleague, Bud Arce, "Buddy." This is just one of the many stories that are memorialized to the crowd. Buddy is standing at the podium with Rick while he tells the story. The paper is a fake letter Rick created supposedly coming from Buddy's high school. With that mischievous twinkle in his eye, Rick proudly tells the crowd that he even got authentic stationary from the school to pull the prank. The letter was mailed to Buddy at the Hollywood station. Rick reads from the letter.

The letter states it's an invitation and a congratulations to Buddy, for being inducted into the "1983 Ramona High School Hall of Fame". The letter mentions recognizing his distinguished career and service as a homicide detective for the LAPD, and that he will join past recipients.  The letter is very detailed in it's ruse and Rick proudly tells the crowd that he looked through the high school year book to get the names of other "VIP" students.  The letter tells Buddy that a plaque and his photo will be displayed in the administration's building Hall of Fame.  The letter goes onto say that there will be an event ceremony during "homecoming week" with many alumni and the press. The author or the letter closes by saying he's looking forward to meeting him and hearing all about his work.

The weekend after Bud receives the letter he has a party. Rick wasn't invited but he has his spies report back on the conversations at the party to see if the letter is discussed. At the party, Buddy is heard to say that he didn't understand why the high school was doing this because "I was only a C student." Buddy's wife at the time tells Buddy that she's so proud of him. Buddy doesn't call the guy back for three weeks, but he does tell his parents. They're so proud of him. There's quite a bit of laughter from the crowd as the story is told. Rick explains that "This is the kind of shit that we used to pull."

Buddy then adds a bit to the story, as to what Rick said to him after the prank was successfully pulled. Buddy explains, "Rick tells me, Bud, burn down my house, make love to my wife, but leave my kids alone." The crowd roars. Buddy then proceeds to tell everyone that it took three years for an opportunity to get back at Rick.

As Buddy tells it, Rick comes in one day and says he's got a summons for jury service. Policemen are exempt from jury duty. Rick doesn't know what to do and he says to Buddy, "I have to get out of it."  Buddy realizes this is his chance and he hatches a plan. He's focused. He's running with two murders, yet, he looks over the list of all detectives to see who has the best voice to do his "sting." Buddy finds a guy, he calls him and lays out his script. They're working at Parker Center and Buddy says he's going to get Rick to drive to Pomona in the next ten minutes.

Buddy then calls a man he knows at the DA's office and asks if they have an extension they don't use. Oh yeah, the prosecutor says, 427. Buddy tells him, "Don't answer it in the next 20 minutes."  The plan is set, the call goes in. If Rick hurries out to Pomona, he can get off the service. Buddy waits. Rick takes off and comes back 20 minutes later.  Buddy doesn't say anything, just asks Rick, "So, how's it going? What happened on that subpoena?" Rick doesn't say anything.

Buddy then tell the crowd that his prank becomes a reverse sting. Rick knows that Buddy did this.  Buddy waits two months to ask Rick, "So, what happened on the subpoena?" Rick replies, "Well, I went over there, and the guy I talked to wasn't there, but he got me out of jury duty." Buddy explains to the crowd, "It was a reverse sting on me. He got me again."   There is a nice round of applause for Buddy's story.

Rick takes the mike again and asks if Miguel Ferrer is still here.  Rick met Miguel about 12 years ago and they've been friends ever since. One year, Miguel heard about a police golf tournament and wondered if Rick could get him an invite. Since then, Miguel has been there every year and now hosts the event. The event organizers say that Miguel is their favorite celebrity. Miguel went on Celebrity Jeopardy and won $50,000. Miguel's charity that he donated his winnings to was the LA Police Memorial Foundation for slain officers.

There were several other people that Rick brings up to the podium. Next is Don Bleier. Rick tells the crowd that the first day out of the police academy, January 16th, 1977, he is the first officer Rick worked with, his first training officer. Don stayed with Hollywood patrol for 25 years and became the "legend" for other officers after him.  Don shared a story about taking Rick on his first foot patrol down Hollywood Blvd.

George Herrara, a retired latent print analyst who testified in the Lazarus trial is introduced. George came in from Colorado to be here. In Rick's early career in homicide,  George was the go-to person to get a print run quickly. George was also the only person to match a single print to the Hillside Strangler. George's nickname was "no make" Herrara. This refers to whether the print analyst was able to "make" a match to an identified print.  George tells the crowd that when he retired from the LAPD's Science Investigation Division (SID) he received something totally unexpected. He received an etched crystal plaque on a granite base. The inscription honored his service and it was from all his friends and coworkers from Robbery Homicide Division. He was blown away and quite touched by the gift.

DDA John Lewin takes to the mike to tell a story that Matthew had shared with me before. John states that whenever Rick's name comes up, he tells people this story, to explain the kind of guy that Rick is. Let's say there was a plane crash in the middle of the ocean, remote, no civilization around and Rick and anyone else are the only two survivors. They swim ashore to the nearest island. The island is filled with people who've never been off the island. There will be at least 20 people there who know Rick and greet him by name.  Lewin says, "All his partners know, everyone knows, you can't go anywhere in the city without there being at least 20 people who know Rick."

Rick introduces his sisters, daughters Hillary and Megan, and his nephew.  Afterwards, Rick becomes quite emotional when he introduces a family that were lifesavers at a very difficult time in his life. For me, it was a very touching and tender moment to witness.

Finally, Rick introduces "Miss Halliday."  Rick knew Debbie from about eighth grade through high school.  Back in 1965, at Cecil B. DeMille Junior High School, Rick remembers walking down the school hallway, seeing Debbie with her dark hair and olive complexion and thinking, "Oh my God, I love that girl." Rick tells the crowd that he even loved her in eighth grade. They became friends but never dated.

 Debbie in the red dress & Rick

Rick and Debbie, who lives in the Bay area, kept in touch over the years.  Forty-one years later in 2006, she calls Rick up.  Rick was up in the Bay area with one of his partners.  Debbie was single at the time and Rick adds that they always had fun when they got together.  So Debbie calls him up and asks him if he would go to a wedding with her in April, and afterwards they could hang out.  Rick jokingly asks Debbie if it's their wedding.  Debbie laughed.  Rick has to think about it for a week because he knows if he goes up there, "I'm done, but if she only wants me to come up there as a friend, it's probably not worth going. Well, I went and we're getting married next August."   After the laughter and applause, Rick adds that they are debating whether they want children or not, which brings another round of laughter.

Rick adds, "As anyone who knows who's been around me for the last six years, I just light up when I talk about her. My sisters remember me talking about her back in the 60's."

Debbie then adds a few words. Says that she's a little concerned because being a detective has been Rick's life. Anytime he's been around people and friends they want him to tell stories and he loves telling his stories. Debbie says  that he's moving up to the Bay area to be with her. Consequently, she's a little worried about him having a bit of an adjustment disorder.  So she gives Rick a little gift, that might help with that adjustment disorder, help him remember "home."  Rick opens the gift and this is what it is:

 LAX cologne, The Scent of Departure

There are more stories, and future in-laws to introduce.  Rick tells everyone that, "Even though I worked Robbery Homicide for 20 some years, my heart is always in working Hollywood." That's where all the people here, and his long time close colleagues started. Rick becomes emotional again as he remembers back to those Hollywood years, with a great boss, and close friends where they all learned to do, what it is they do best.

Rick Jackson's LAPD photos
When you join the LAPD, your photo is taken at various stages of your career.  Here are a few photos of Rick during his career.

Rick's application photo for LAPD, mid '70's

Rick graduating from the LAPD Academy

Rick, starting at Robbery Homicide Division

Rick at Robbery Homicide Squad Room 

The Female Detectives: L-R,
Mitzi Roberts, Rick's last partner; Rick, Susan Antenucci;
Elizabeth Camacho, Rick's first female partner

Rick's exit photo from the LAPD

Before I left, I got the opportunity to meet Rick's fiance, Debbie, an absolutely charming woman. Rick truly is a lucky man. Overall, it was a wonderful evening. I was happy that I got to see so many of Rick's friends share their memories. I wish him well in the adventures ahead.

Lois Goodman Case: Pretrial Hearing 5

UPDATED 10/3 7:00 PM additional notes and spelling corrections 

October 3rd, 2012
I apologize that my notes on this pretrial hearing are so late.  Responsibilities to Mr. Sprocket's business have kept me from writing in a more timely manner.  Note: This entry isn't completely finished. Sprocket.

When I get to the front steps of the Van Nuys Courthouse, I think I have plenty of time to get through security but I've forgotten about the long lines.  There is only one line for the public and press.  With moments to spare before 8:30 AM, I clear security.  I ask the first security office I see which floor Dept. 122 is on.  "Ninth floor," he replies.  I get to the elevators and quickly as I can. 

When I get up on the ninth floor, there is a large group of press and supporters for Goodman, as many as I've seen in the last hearings.

Local ABC 7's Miriam Hernandez looks lovely in a cream sweater top and a stripe skirt.  A younger, nicely dressed woman is with her.  I notice they are both wearing their gold number "7" circle pins on their tops. I note that Miriam has a lovely, tiny stranded gold necklace with spaced gold beads.

I spot Lois Goodman.  she's wearing a brown and cream horizontal striped top.  In my notes I have 'black pants' but I'm thinking that they might have been brown to match her top.

When Triessl arrives on the 9th floor, she openly hugs her client and they walk off together to chat.   There is a salt and pepper haired man with Triessl, that appears to be part of the legal team.

Another Ch 7 reporter joins our group and Miriam introduces her to me. Her name is Lisa and she's an investigative producer who is working on a story involving James Cohan, who also has an appearance today in Dept 122.  Lisa tells me a bit about Cohan, a serial plaintiff in federal court, who claims to be disabled.  However, Channel 7 filmed Cohan easily hiking up a hill.  (If I'm reading my notes correctly), Cohan is in court today on a probation violation, accused of collecting guns and ammunition.  Lisa also mentions another serial plaintiff, Alfredo Garcia.


When Dept 122 opens, it's tiny. There are three sections separated by two aisles. There are barely forty seats total.  I'm betting most of Goodman's support group will not get a seat.  The press sits on the far left of the room along with some witnesses.  I grab a seat in the left front row, right in front of the jury box.  The two center rows are reserved for counsel and the far right of the courtroom is reserved for defendants.  There are quite a few LAPD uniformed officers in the jury box as well as a few suited detectives.

Goodman's supporters are arguing with the bailiffs in the room about seating.  They are complaining that some of the seating is blocked off with yellow tape.  A bailiff is telling those who don't have seats that they can't stand.  They must wait outside.  There are at least 20 plus supporters for Goodman in this tiny courtroom.

I don't have my new glasses yet, so I ask the reporter sitting to my right if she can read the plaque on the judge's bench.  Dept. 122's judge is Jessica P. Silvers.  Judge Silvers is a tall, slender woman.  She doesn't have her robe on yet.  She's wearing a sleek dark blue sleeveless dress. (It's not in my notes, but If I'm recalling correctly, shes wearing a short strand of pearls.) I spot DDA Sharon Ransom. I don't see Lisa Tanner (she doesn't show up today).  Ransom and the defense counsel go back into Judge Silver's chambers.  It's 9:05 AM, and I'm betting it will take some time for this hearing to get underway.  With all the officers in the jury box, there must be many more cases being heard this morning.

Judge Silvers comes back out from her chambers, tidies up her bench and then goes back into chambers.  Either that or she was specifically looking for something.  A reporter behind me believes they are waiting for a detective.

Judge Silvers is back on the bench and a defendant is brought out for another case.  Judge Silvers has everyone stand and face the US flag.  It's not in my notes but I believe the pledge of allegiance is read.  Counsel for this current case chat with Judge Silvers at the bench.

Goodman's supporters get up to leave and give their seats to others who are waiting in the hallway.

It's a busy, bustling courtroom.  There's a lot going on.  Counsel come and go, checking in with Judge Silver's clerk.  The jury box is still packed with detectives and LAPD officers.  I observe some of the officers waiting for their cases to be called.  One officer is holding a file and looking bored.  Two officers are engrossed in their smart phones.  One is nervously rocking the chair back and forth.

At 9:50 AM I step outside to return Mr. Sprocket's call, who is demanding to know why I'm not answering my phone.  I patiently explain to him that I can't answer the phone inside the courtroom.  In the hallway, I notice DDA Ransom and Triessl are sitting on a bench in deep conversation.

Back inside the courtroom, there are other attorneys that appear to be joking in the well.  Judge Silvers is not on the bench.  This courtroom reminds me a bit of Dept. 30 in downtown.  A female prosecutor handling other cases releases some of the officers in the jury box.  She then asks a few other officers what cases they are here on.

One of the reporters identifies for me who the salt and pepper hair man is with the defense team.  His name is Scott Ross (no relation) and he's the investigator for the defense.

Several officers have no left the jury box.  One of the reporters asks who the third attorney is working on Goodman's case.  It's Kelly Gerner.  I take my earlier opinion back.  The bustle in this courtroom is worse than Dept. 30.  It's obvious the court calendar today is full.  It's now 10:05 AM.  A few moments later, the bailiff finally lets the rest of Goodman's supporters inside the courtroom.

10:07 AM DDA Ransom and the rest of the defense team (Alison Triessl, Kelly Gerner Robert Sheahen) is now all back in the well, sitting in the row of chairs against the "bar."

10:15 AM Judge Silvers calls the Goodman case.  I believe it's the defense who states they are asking for another 30 days before setting a 'set' date.  They are still asking for disclosure from the prosecution.  The defense has received voluminous amounts of discovery, They (have?) received the murder book.  They are asking for more discovery.  They are half way through what they've received so far.  They are working the with prosecution on getting all the discovery.

Something is said about detectives providing (other? discovery?) within the next couple of days.  The next pretrial hearing date asked for is November 8th, and on that date, they will set a preliminary hearing date.

The defense states they are focusing on one area of discovery, the original notes of the LAPD who determined that Alan Goodman's death was an accident.  They are also asking for the notes of any SID (LAPD Science Investigation Division) people on the scene in April or May.  The defense has not yet been provided those original notes in the initial discovery.

Judge Silver asks the defense if they are requesting the "original" notes of the detectives or a copy of the original notes.  The defense clarifies they are asking for a copy of the original notes.

The next hearing date is set for November 8th.  Triessl then tells Judge Silvers there are two additional small matters.  Sheahen then gets up to speak to Judge Silvers about the DA requesting a DNA sample.  Sheahen states the defense did seek a writ of mandate in Dept. 100 that was denied without a hearing.  They want to make it perfectly clear that the DNA will be submitted today.  (It's not in my notes but I have a memory that Sheahen mentioned the defense did appeal that ruling to a higher court.)

Triessl then asks the court again for their client to be able to travel to her offices.  She mentions that there is a lot of discovery in this case.  Seems like a waste of the courts time to meet every time to get a waiver. The prior ruling in Dept. 100, the judge stated Triessl had to go to Goodman's home to prepare her defense.  Goodman is on home confinement and ankle monitoring.  She is only allowed to leave her home for religious services and doctor appointments.

Judge Silvers addresses the people, stating there is no danger to the public at this time, and seems to be a reasonable request.  The people have no objection.  So Goodman's ability to leave her home increased a bit.  She can now go to her attorney's office.

And that's it. The press and Goodman supporters slowly file out of Dept. 122 and into the hallway.  While I'm standing around outside Dept. 122, waiting to see if the defense will speak to the press in the plaza,  A very petite older woman approaches me with curly gray hair.  She's asks me, "Are you the T&T lady?"  I reply, "Yes."  She then makes a few statements in defense of Goodman.  "What will give her back her name and economic stability?"  I ask her if she is a longtime friend of Goodman's.  "Yes," she replies, and then adds, "And Alan's." 

I hear that the defense is going to speak to the press so I head down the hallway to the elevator bay.  As I'm standing there, I notice a familiar face that also recognizes me about 12 feet away.  It's one of the Van Nuys Cowboys, Homicide Detective Pete Barba.  Barba was one of the detectives that solved the murder of Sherri Rasmussen and led to the conviction of Stephanie Lazarus.  I smile and head towards him.  He asks me what I'm here for and I tell him the Goodman case. We ride down the elevator a few floors together until Pete gets off on sixth.  It appears he's got another case to check in on. In my surprise at seeing Pete, I totally forgot to personally thank him for the surprise present the Cowboys gave me back in June.

Out on the plaza, the defense is setting up to speak to the press.  Many of Goodman's supporters stood with Lois and her counsel to face the cameras.
More to come...


UPDATE 7:00 PM


Out on the plaza, I took this photo with my old phone. I apologize for the poor quality of the photo.

Goodman's counsel speaks to the press with supporters standing by.

I believe it's Alison Triessl who speaks first.  "Mrs. Goodman has so many loving friends.  Some drove as far as Reno to be here today."  Triessl tells the press Goodman's friends know that Lois did not do what she is being accused of.  I believe it's Robert Sheahen who talks about the provided DNA sample, and that they "kicked up" their appeal "to a higher court."

Goodman's defense talks to the press about asking for the detectives original notes. The defense also said, "We hope the public and the media will stay with this case. "This woman did not do this," Triessl continued.

Many of Goodman's friends stood up with Lois and appeared on camera in support.

I stood back and watched the mainstream media do it's job.  Miriam asked Sheahen about several of the prosecution's allegations. She also asked him about the prosecutions allegations that there were several areas, pools of blood, and that someone injured would have (in passing the phone) would have called for help. Sheahen deflected her questions.  I believe Miriam asked him about the autopsy report, and Sheahen responded, "We will have plenty to say about the autopsy."

The defense still talks to the press.  "We're asking for notes.... first draft (notes) .... the first impressions at the scene.... The next set of notes... from subsequent search.  (snip) We think the (criminalists?) notes will show a lot of things in our favor."

Sheahen then addresses the autopsy.  "Why is the LAPD in with the medical examiner?  ....telling the medical examiner..."

(I don't have a clue what Sheahen is implying here.  It's my understanding that detectives observe autopsies of their cases all the time, and there's nothing unusual about that. Sprocket.)

Then in speaking directly to Miriam and the Associated Press reporter, I hear Sheanen say, "I appreciate you guys.... because you take the time to get it right.... some of your colleagues (don't) .... I really mean that." (I agree that Miriam is an excellent reporter. Sprocket)

And that was it. I made my way home.  Next pretrial hearing is November 8th in Dept. 122 at 8:30 AM.

LAPD Van Nuys Area Police Station

Here is a nice little video about my local police station, put together by Josh Rubenstein of local CBS 2 and KCAL 9.  Thank you Josh!  This is the home of the Cowboys, (Det. Pete Barba, Det. Rob Bub, Det. Marc Martinez, Det. James Nuttall) my favorite detectives.  I understand the video promoted the community organizations mentioned, Van Nuys Community-Police Advisory Board and the Mid-Valley Community Police Council, but it would have been nice to feature other Van Nuys LAPD departments that also inter-act with the community besides the patrol officers.

LOIS GOODMAN: First Court Appearance

 Defense counsel Alison Triessl next to her client

Lois Goodman at her first court appearance.

Photo credit: Nick Ut, AP.

Lois Goodman, Case # LA071714

Friday, August 24th, 2012
I got the E-mail notice about 10:30 AM that 70-year-old Lois Goodman, professional referee for the US Open would be arraigned today in Department 100 at the Van Nuys Courthouse.  Lois Goodman is charged with felony murder in the death of her husband, Alan Goodman.  Alan Goodman died in his Woodland Hills home on April 17th, 2012.  I had predicted to my friends Katie and Matthew that I thought Goodman would be arraigned at the Van Nuys Courthouse, but I didn't think it would happen until next Monday.  There was no time included on the District Attorney's E-mail, other than it would not happen before 11:30 AM.  I was still in my jammies and rushed to get dressed and drive the couple miles to court.

As I’m exiting the parking structure behind the Van Nuys Courthouse, I see about five media vans parked in parking slots on Delano Street.  Taking the short trip up the walkway to the front of the courthouse brought back memories of attending the Robert Blake trial back in 2004-2005.  After I cleared security, I took the escalators to the third floor.

In the rotunda on the third floor were several video photographers.  I wondered if they drew straws to see who would tape the proceeding.  Once inside Department 100 I saw the famous Associated Press reporter already there, sitting on the far left side of the gallery.  Maybe they received an advance tip to make it out to Van Nuys so quickly.

I've been in Department 100 back in 2009, when I attended a couple of hearings in the Hossein Shirazi case, which looked like an interesting case to follow. Shirazi was accused of the murder of his brother, whose body had never been found.  I dropped out of following it and Shirazi eventually pled to involuntary manslaughter.

Dept. 100 is large modern courtroom, with about 150 seats in the gallery.  The judge's bench and all the paneling is in a very light, golden oak color.  There is no jury box or witness stand.  To the left of the bench is a large desk/area for the court clerk that sits slightly lower.  There are many photographs on the wall behind the clerks desk area that I remember seeing when I was last here.  To the bench right is another slightly lower desk area for the court reporter.  There is a long continuous table in front of the bench for the defense and prosecution.  The gallery seating is separated into three sections by two long aisles.

In the far left area of the well is a glassed-in, defendant holding area.  There is a door with what appears to be a glassless window opening and metal bars over it.  Over on the right side of the gallery, there was a video camera set up and quite a few reporters on that side of the room.  I took a seat on the center left aisle, because I wanted to hear the defense attorney if she stood by her client to speak.  The plaque on the bench indicated it was Commissioner Mitchell Block presiding over Van Nuys Dept. 100, who was not currently on the bench when I walked in.  Jane Robison from the District Attorney's office was talking to a reporter when I walked up and got a copy of the DA's charging document.

At 11:32 AM Commissioner Block took the bench in another case and then quickly left the bench.  A tall slender man sitting at the defense table, clearly knows the AP reporter.  He gets up and goes over to them and gives them a book.  I can see the book cover from my seat, Democrats Big Day.

While the commissioner is off the bench, the courtroom gets a little boisterous with the chatter from the gallery and the well.  I feel quite like a fish out of water since I don't recognize any of the other reporters except photographer Nick Ut, with the AP.

Two women enter the courtroom and I can immediately tell they are defense attorneys.  The AP reporter appears to recognize one of them.  One of the defense attorneys (that I later find out is Alison Triessl), comes back to the gallery and speaks to the woman who was sitting directly in front of me.  Seeing that I had a notepad in my lap, when she speaks to the woman, she is very careful to cover her mouth with her right hand as she speaks into the person's left ear.  The woman in front of me was about my age, I believe wore glasses, had very short cropped hair with a touch of gray, and was wearing a blue and dark greenish horizontal striped polo type shirt.

Two DDA's enter Dept. 100.  One is a beautiful, slender woman with medium length hair and dark skin.  She's quite attractive.  I could swear the other DDA was James Garrison, the tall, stunningly handsome man who channeled the voice of criminalist Lloyd Mahaney in the Stephanie Lazarus case.  Did Garrison get transferred from JSID?  Apparently he did.  He is now the Assistant Head Deputy of the DA's Van Nuys Office.

Just a few minutes before noon, Commissioner Block takes the bench and calls the Goodman case.  

DDA Lisa Tanner goes on the record as for the people.  Alison Triessl and Kelly Gerner for the defense.  Triessl asks that the the arraignment be held over until next Wednesday, August 29th, if that's agreeable to the people, so that the defense can file a formal bail motion on that date.  The people have requested in their charging papers that bail be set at 1 million.

Commissioner Block asks Triessl if she plans to present witnesses.  He states his courtroom is very busy and not set up to take witness testimony.  If she has witnesses, verses just moving papers and argument, he would need to move the case over to the preliminary hearing department.  Triessl states she is just going to present moving papers.

The motion is granted to holdover the arraignment and bail motion to next Wednesday at 8:30 AM.  Goodman is remanded to custody of the LA County Sheriff's until that date.  And that was it.  The bailiffs kick everyone out of the courtroom because it's past noon.  The prosecution and the defense are going to make a statement to the press outside on the plaza.  As the reporter's make their way down the escalators, everyone was very helpful, exchanging notes with each other on the correct spelling of the defense counsel's names.

One reporter asked me if my news organization ever sent me out to the Van Nuys Courthouse.  I told them that I'm not with anyone, I'm independent, and that I happen to live close by.

Jane Robison and the young, attractive DDA Lisa Tanner get in front of the cameras to address the media.  Robison speaks first and tells the press that there's not much that they can talk about since it's an ongoing investigation, but they will answer a few questions.  Then Lisa Tanner answers a few questions.  She smiled quite a bit, and seemed a little nervous.  One reporter asked her to explain what just happened in court.  (I'm wondering to myself, did that reporter sleep through the hearing?)  DDA Tanner explains that the defense asked for the arraignment to be postponed for time to prepare a motion on the bail hearing.  Tanner was asked what the murder weapon was. Smiling, she replied, "A coffee cup."  The coffee cup was broken and sharp pieces were still attached to the handle and Alan Goodman was stabbed.  "He died of lacerations," Tanner added. 

After the prosecution, defense attorney Alison Triessl spoke. She states that she is representing Goodman along with co-counsel Kelly Gerner and Robert (Chin?). "As you will learn when (this unfolds in court?) these charges are outrageous, and completely unfounded. (snip) The LAPD should be ashamed for arresting a woman in New York when she lives in Los Angeles. (snip) She made herself available (to police?) at every point in the investigation. (snip) She had been represented by counsel. (snip)" She cooperated fully with police.

Someone in the press asked if she was still in civilian clothing while in LAPD custody, and Triessl stated Goodman was.  (Sources tell me that the LAPD does not put defendants in orange or blue jumpsuits.  Those are courtesy of Sheriff Baca.)

Triessl continues in a very passionate voice about her client. "She is distraught!  This is outrageous!  She is in shock."  The press asks if her daughter and family are rallying around her.  "That is correct," Triessl responds.  And that was it. It was over pretty quickly.

One of the reporters asked Nick Ut if she could see the photo Nick was able to get of Goodman, through the bars of the window in the door of the holding area.  Nick was crouched down on the ground, and I was able to look over his shoulder at the screen on his camera and see that he got a pretty decent shot of Goodman's face through the bars.

Earlier, taking the escalator down to the lobby, I asked Triessl if she would identify what members of Goodman's family were in the courtroom.  She declined at that time. Via the AP the Washington Post reported that it was her sister and daughter who were in the courtroom.

Since the Clerk's Office on the second floor also closes at noon, I walked across the street to have lunch at the Chinese restaurant the Cowboys affectionately call "Dead Chicken," and update Matthew on what happened.  At 1:30 PM, I head back over to the courthouse and pay $5.00 for a copy of the search warrant.  At the time I started this story, I did not see where any other news organization had put search warrant or the DA's charging document online, so these might be a first for T&T.  I called the Coroner's office to try to obtain a copy of the LA County Coroner's report on Alan Goodman, but alas, a security hold has been placed on it which means they won't release it.

A bit of info about where Lois Goodman slept last night after she was flown back from New York. It’s a tiny jail in the basement of Van Nuys Police Station.  I've never seen it personally, but it was described to me. There’s a little reception area with a wooden bench with a half-dozen or so handcuffs attached to the bench. I believe there’s a women’s section and a men’s section.  I'm told it’s usually quite busy during the evening hours on the weekends.

DA's CHARGING DOCUMENT
New York Daily News
The Los Angeles Times
CBS Video Report from the hearing 8/24

Raul Lopez's Murder: $50,000.00 Reward Announced

From left to right, Lucio Garcia (cousin), Detective James Nuttall (facing family) Guadalupe Gomez (Raul Lopez's wife, holding Ziara 2) Violet 3 in front of her, Melesio Lopez 16, with his arms around his brother Eric 7, Celeste 6.  Unidentified family friend standing behind Guadalupe.

UPDATE August 1st, 2012:
To make a donation to the Bank of America (BofA) account, you must walk into a branch office (like I did) and speak to a customer service representative or teller.  If you are a BofA customer, unfortunately, you cannot make the donation online, since BofA's online banking requires a zip code for the receiving funds account to make the transfer. Sprocket


UPDATE July 26th, 2012:
I was finally able to get a short video I shot of the family before my camera died.  The sound is terrible and it's all in Spanish. Sprocket.

~~
I apologize for the delay in getting this story up.  Right after the press conference, Mr. Sprocket needed my help on one of his projects and I was working in a basement mechanical room until late into the evening. All day yesterday and today, I have been haunted by the images of the Lopez family.  I could not get the faces of Guadalupe, Lucio, Melesio and her young children out of my mind.  The family looked so sad. Sprocket.

July 24th, 2012: Raul Lopez Murder Press Conference
I made a point to arrive at the press conference early, and I believe I was the second journalist there. As I was walking towards the restaurant, a woman stepped out of the Pink Cheeks salon and asked me what was going on.  I told her about the press conference and the announcement about the reward.  She told me that she and her coworkers often ordered food from the restaurant.  She said she knew the cook but not personally.  She also told me that she thought it was "too soon" for the "Help Wanted" sign in the restaurant window.

When I got up to the restaurant, there was a large help wanted sign in the front window.  The press conference was held to announce that there is a $50,000.00 reward for information into the shooting death of Raul Lopez, who was shot while working at Hoagies & Wings.  The media would also receive an updated, longer piece of security camera video from the Panda Express, just a few doors west and across the street.  I brought my old Fuji Fine Pix 7000, hoping to film the press conference.  The first person I recognized walking up the street from where they parked was supervising detective Rob Bub (head cowboy).  Next was Detective Pete Barba, and last Detective James Nuttall (three of the four cowboys).  Several media stations showed up to film the event, each one trying to get the best spot for filming.

Not long after Detective Nuttall arrived, Raul Lopez's family walked up the sidewalk.  Guadalupe Gomez is a tiny woman.  She was surrounded by her five children, (Melesio, Eric, Celeste, Violet, Ziara) a nephew Lucio Garcia, and an unidentified older family friend.  One reporter rushed up to her before she had even reached the restaurant, knelt down and started asking her questions in Spanish.  I knew that I would be at a disadvantage because I don't speak the language. After Guadalupe spoke, Lopez's oldest son, Melesio, picked up one of the younger girls, held her up to the reporter's microphone and she said a few words in a tiny voice.

The other media outlets are still getting their cameras set up while we wait for Councilman Tom LaBonge to arrive. Once LaBonge arrived with his support staff, the press conference got underway.  Wouldn't you know it, I had hoped to film the event but my nine-year-old camera chose this moment to fail.  There were squiggly lines all over the screen.  Even changing the memory card did nothing to correct the problem.

I pulled out my notepad and tried to take notes.  Before he spoke, Councilman LaBonge first made a point to introduce Lopez's family and children.  He made sure they spoke to the media before he spoke.  After speaking in Spanish, at the end Guadalupe said in English, Please help."  Melesio addressed the crowd: "All we want is justice." Then Councilman LaBonge spoke. Some of his statements were directed to the Lopez family. "We all feel for your family and this tragedy.... that your daddy is not here. (snip)  We need the community's help."  The five African Americans "....ordered food... an argument (emerged?) and tragedy ensued. (snip) Just like the country mourns the tragedy in Colorado, this city mourns your father, (Raul Lopez).  (snip) He should be here today."  He then thanked the Van Nuys Homicide detectives for their hard work.

Detective Nuttall then spoke to the media about what they know happened inside and outside the restaurant on Friday June 29th.  "It's going to take a phone call. (snip) He was just doing a hard days work."  Nuttall went on to explain that they have not exhausted all their leads at this point.  They are waiting on some information from an "outside agency," but Nuttall would not name the agency when asked. "....but at this point, (we? feel?) it's in (the) LAPD's and the family's best interest to pursue this angle (the reward)."

The cameras in the restaurant were working, but were not recording the night of the murder.  Through, accident, happenstance, the camera equipment was in an out of the way area of the restaurant.  Several boxes happened to get pushed up against the recording equipment and it's believed these boxes some how must have pushed a button to stop the cameras from recording. Nuttall said, “We have cameras that picked up the vehicle.”  It’s a black Cadillac Escalade, a newer model with 26” chrome wheels. The vehicle is first seen traveling east on Ventura Blvd.  It makes a U-turn and parks in front of the Panda Express across the street on the corner.  It’s just past 10:30 PM when two of the five individuals enter the Panda Express and find out the restaurant is closed.  Then then walk across the street to Hoagies & Wings.

Nuttall continues, "A chair is thrown over the counter at Lopez. (snip) He used that chair to escort them out of the restaurant. (snip) Lopes was shot in the upper torso, by a medium caliber bullet. (snip) We've got some good descriptions, but without a license plate..."

It's believed the group may be local.  The five individuals did not run from the scene but walked towards their vehicle at a fast pace.  Detective Nuttall stressed that anyone coming forward did not need to leave their names.  The detectives would welcome any tips that were left anonymously.

While Detective Nuttall spoke, Guadalupe Gomez, Raul's wife and an older, unidentified friend peered inside the glass door of the restaurant. 

I waited patiently while several reporters stuck microphones into Guadalupe, Melesio and some of the younger children's faces and asked them questions.  "Melesio told reporters that no one is taking care of the family.  His cousin Lucio is helping out but he doesn't live with them.  He verified that his mother doesn't work and that some of the children go to school.  His youngest sister stays at home.  "We're really sad.  We're just sad," Melesio told the press.  "I've known him for sixteen years. (snip) They (his siblings) are not going to be able to know their father. (snip) Maybe people (out there?) know something."

When I finally got my turn to speak to Raul's oldest son, I wanted to know more about their father and the type of person he was.

In a soft voice, Melesio said, "He was a nice person.  He loved all of us. He enjoyed being with the family."  Melesio stated his father had worked at Hoagies & Wings for one year.  He also worked a second job two days a week at a restaurant in Tarzana, The Town. Prior to these jobs, he worked at Vitello's as a waiter.   Melesio said his father was responsible and hard working. He had been working the second job for a few months.  One of the things Raul enjoyed was singing.  Raul was the sole breadwinner for the family.  I said to Melesio, "I'm so sorry for your family's loss."

I then waited for an opportunity to speak to Guadalupe when Melesio could translate. Guadalupe said she and Raul were married seventeen years. "He was a good father, responsible, hard working.  He loved us."  He was responsible for them.  "He worked for us. (snip) He was a nice person. He loved us.  He had patience. (snip) He respected everyone."  I made a point to tell Guadalupe and Melesio that I know these detectives.  They will work very hard to solve this murder.

Murder is not very common in the Sherman Oaks community.  I only found news about four murders in the last six years.  One of those was a murder-suicide in 2011, and another was a park beating in February 2012.  The detectives told me they couldn't remember ever being called out to a location on Ventura Boulevard in Sherman Oaks.  It's an active, main street of the entire San Fernando Valley.

During the entire press conference, it was hard for me to look at the sad faces of Guadalupe, his son Melesio and Lucio.  Through much of the press conference, tiny Guadalupe held her youngest child in her arms.  All I could think about was how was this family going to survive?

 Celeste, Eric and Violet Lopez with a family photo. 

Photo Credit: Daily News (Hans Gutknecht/Staff Photographer)

Without a provider, this family needs your help.  Hoagies & Wings CEO Akida Mashaka, issued a press release that a donation fund has been set up for the family.  Checks can be mailed or dropped of to:

Hoagies & Wings
Attn: Guadalupe Gomez
14552 Ventura Blvd.
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403

In addition, an account has been set up at Bank of America to receive donations to the family.

Bank of America Account #164107764046
Guadalupe Gomez

Please T&T readers, consider opening your heart and wallet, even if it's a small amount to help this family.

LAPD COMMUNITY ALERT NOTIFICATION

HOMICIDE

DR#: 1209-13708

LOCATION: "Hoagies & Wings Restaurant"

14552 Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oaks, CA

DATE: Friday, June 29th, 2012, at approximately 2300 hours.

SUSPECT: Male black, black hair, brown eyes, 5'10" to 6'00", 185 pounds and approximately 28 to 35 years old.  Suspect was wearing a black and yellow Ralph Lauren polo shirt, blue jeans, gold chain and tennis shoes.

WEAPON: Semi-automatic hand gun.

VEHICLE: Cadillac Escalade, 2005-12, Mode, Black (NFI)

MO: Both Suspect and Victim engaged in a verbal dispute.  The victim grabbed a chair, approached the suspect, and caused the suspect to exit the location.  The suspect then produced a hand gun, fired one round which struck the victim in the torso, killing him.

If you have any information regarding the suspect, please contact Van Nuys Detectives at (818)374-0040 or you may also call 1-877-LAPD-24-7.  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-22-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crime stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters "LAPD."  Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.

When Councilman LaBonge was walking up the street with his aides for the press conference, he saw a discarded ice cream cup on the sidewalk.  He picked it up, put it in a trash can and then made a call.  Right after the press conference was over and everyone had packed up, an orange painted city maintenance truck pulls us with a magnetic sign attached to the side door that said Councilman Tom LaBonge.  The maintenance worker started sweeping all the discarded trash off the sidewalk.

Daily News Report
CBS June 30th Story
LA Times, LA Now Blog

New Video Released in Raul Lopez Murder

LAPD Van Nuys Homicide detectives have released an extended video of person's of interest in the shooting death of Hoagies & Wings cook, Raul Lopez.  If you have any information please call Van Nuys Homicide detectives (the cowboys) at: (818) 374-0040. If you would rather remain anonymous you can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.




I will have an update after the press conference this morning.

$50,0000 Reward Offered in Raul Lopez's Murder

Shooting victim Raul Lopez, undated.

At 9:00 AM Tuesday, LAPD, Counselman Tom LaBonge and member's of the victim's family will hold a press conference in front of Hoagies & Wings, 14552 Ventura Blvd., in Sherman Oaks to announce a $50,000 reward for information in the slaying of cook Raul Lopez.  The restaurant where Lopez was killed is represented by LaBonge.

As previously reported, Lopez was shot outside the entrance of Hoagies & Wings June 29th, 2012, just past 11:00 PM, after successfully corralling a group of five disruptive customers out the front entrance.  Five African American men who appeared to be in their 30's, started complaining about the slow service and hurling racial slurs at the restaurant staff.  When customers started to leave, Raul stepped in to diffuse the situation and it cost him his life.

Help solve this murder.  If you have any information, please call Van Nuys Homicide detectives (the cowboys) at: (818) 374-0040. If you would rather remain anonymous you can call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.

I plan on attending this press conference and will be updating T&T readers as soon as possible.

Help the Cowboys Solve Raul Lopez's Murder

Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks.  Photo: Google Street View.

We hadn't planned on eating out the evening of July 8th, 2012, but because of a mishap in our kitchen Mr. Sprocket and I got to hear a gut-wrenching eye witness account of a murder that happened right near us in Sherman Oaks.  Here's what happened.

Mr. Sprocket often cooks our breakfast and dinner and that Sunday was no exception.  We try to follow a diet based on our blood type and Mr. Sprocket, household cook, is sensitive to restaurant food that is often over-salted for his taste.  One of my simple pleasures is eating on the back patio where we can enjoy our meal and watch the aerial acrobatics of our resident hummingbirds. I could watch them for hours chasing each other for control of the best flowers and the hummingbird feeders.

It happened while I was trying to carry the various pots and dishes of wild salmon, steamed broccoli and brown rice out to the patio.  I set the glass rice dish on top of the dryer to open the back door and no sooner did I let go of it that it went flying.  The hot glass bowl broke into a gazillion pieces, sending rice and glass everywhere, even into the plate of salmon and bowl of broccoli.  Realizing we could not be certain that we picked all the glass out of the food, everything ended up in the trash and we started negotiating about where we would go for dinner.  Mr. Sprocket's first and only choice is always Thai food; mine is Mediterranean.  I won.  We cleaned up the kitchen and drove to the boulevard.

There is a nice mile or so section of Ventura Blvd., in Sherman Oaks that is jammed with a variety of small businesses, unique shops and restaurants.  Part of this street-based open mall consists of an area called The Village at Sherman Oaks, which is about half a block from where we were going.

We had not been to Mamani's in a long time.  We love their grilled vegetables and the fact that they don't add salt to the marinade in their kabobs and 'Lule Beef.'  It's one of the few places we like.  Not long after we sat down, out of the blue Mr. Sprocket starts up a conversation with a couple seated at a nearby table, asking if they knew about the murder that happened next door at "Hoagies & Wings" over a week prior on Friday, June 29th.  Amazingly, they were both dining at Mamani's and had witnessed the event.

Friday night, June 29th around 11:00 PM was probably a typical busy night on Ventura Blvd.  People grabbing a late meal on restaurant sidewalk patios, or enjoying a night out drinking with friends.  Thirty-eight year old father of five, Raul Lopez was the chef on duty at Hoagies & Wings that night.  He was shot in the chest right outside the restaurant after a group of African-American men complained about the slow food service and started causing a disruption in the restaurant.  After the shooting, the five men fled the scene in a black Cadillac Escalade.

While waiting for our order, Mr. Sprocket started to ask the woman questions, which she freely answered.  When I realized that they had witnessed the event, I pulled a pen out of my handbag and started taking notes on pages of the LA WEEKLY that I was reading. I explained to the couple that I have a blog and that I recently covered the Stephanie Lazarus trial.  I also told them that I know the detectives investigating the crime ("the cowboys") and I'm certain they will do all they can to solve the case. To maintain the couple's anonymity, I'll call them Jess and Denise, not their real names.

While Mamani's clientele usually consists of older whites and Persians, the customers that frequent Hoagies & Wings are a much younger, active crowd.  Five African-American men entered the restaurant sometime before 11:00 PM.  They were tall, well over six feet.  Newspaper reports and the individuals I spoke to said they had large builds and looked like football players.  Several of them with their hair in dreadlocks, had gold teeth, and were wearing gold chains around their necks and flashing diamonds.  Denise relayed to me the exchange that happened between the young cashier and the individual who paid for the order.  He pulled out a large wad of hundred-dollar bills.  The young cashier, seeing such a large amount of cash, jokingly asked something to the effect of, "“You’re so rich, what do you do for a living?”  The man allegedly responds, “I sell shit for a living.”

After placing their order, they sit down inside the restaurant to wait.  I don't know how long it was that they were waiting before they start to complain about the slow service, and how long it was taking to get their order.  Hoagies & Wings has an open kitchen with a tall counter separating it from the tables.  Denise tells me that one of the men "went up to the counter, reached over and started messing with the food".  Lopez told them to stop.  At some point, one individual in the group started to throw chairs inside the restaurant.  Newspaper reports indicate the group started to hurl racial slurs at the employees and the situation quickly deteriorated.  Other customers were leaving to remove themselves from the situation.

My understanding is, Raul picked up a chair, pointed it at the men and successfully forced the unruly group out of the restaurant.  Raul then sets the chair down. Right outside the restaurant doors, one of the individuals pulled out a gun and shot Raul in the chest.  Denise was sitting on Mamani's patio, playing a game of backgammon and witnessed the shooting.  She told me she was so startled she could not describe what the man looked like.  Detectives have conflicting reports as to which individual may have been the actual shooter and are not identifying anyone at the present time; all five individuals are listed as "persons of interest."  Some witnesses have said it was the man wearing a yellow polo type shirt, others said is was the one wearing a black Ferrari type jacket with a red stripe.  Four teens who were sitting on the Hoagies & Wings sidewalk patio immediately jumped the low fencing and fled the scene. Mamani's patio customers rushed back inside Mamani's and hid behind the counters.

Jess happened to be inside Mamani's when he heard the commotion start next door.  He rushed outside and was on the sidewalk just before Hoagies & Wings when he saw Raul fall to the ground.  He rushed to his aid.  According to Denise, Jess held Raul’s head and put pressure on his chest wound as he lay dying. Jess kept talking to Raul, trying to calm him.  Denise said Raul’s dying words were, “I don’t want to die!  They shot me! They shot me!”  Denise said, "It was 11:08 PM when Raul was shot."

Denise told me that the Hoagies & Wings surveillance cameras were not working and the video that was recently released by LAPD came from the Panda Express restaurant down the street. Two of the individuals had first entered Panda Express around 10:30 PM but were told the restaurant was closed.  Denise also stated that she thinks the shooter was the individual wearing a black jacket.

Denise said that it took twelve to fifteen minutes for an ambulance to arrive.  One would think Lopez would have been transported to Sherman Oaks Hospital, less than a mile away.  But Sherman Oaks is not a trauma center.  Raul was taken over ten miles away to Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills.  Dr. Lobo pronounced Lopez dead at two minutes after midnight.

KTLA reported:

His wife, Guadalupe Lopez, made a plea in Spanish at a news conference on Tuesday, saying that she has five young children.

"He was a very responsible man," his oldest son, Melesio Lopez, said. "He loved his family... and I just want justice."

LA WEEKLY reported:

One witness in particular (who wishes to stay anonymous so the perps don't come back and shoot him as well) says in an NBC LA video interview that he saw Lopez and the customers "fencing with chairs" before the shooting.

Police now believe the Hoagies and Wings employee was trying to shoo them from the restaurant.

Another witness turned out to be pretty high-profile. Alex Mandell, L.A. actor and son of Howie Mandell, Tweeted from the scene:

News reports indicate Raul leaves behind a wife and five children, four of them aged six and under.

Raul Lopez, undated.

Detective James Nuttall described Lopez as the sole provider for his family.  He was a well-liked, hard worker who had been employed at Hoagies & Wings for about two years.  He was considered a good employee who took the bus to work.  He was not the individual in charge of the restaurant that night, but was an older, more senior figure in the restaurant. Raul's wife, Guadalupe Gomez-Lopez did not work, which leaves the family in a precarious financial situation.  Hoagies & Wings CEO Akida Mashaka made a statement that a memorial fund is being set up for his family and that donation boxes have been established at the Sherman Oaks and La Cienega locations.  

Nuttall stated it is unknown why Raul took it upon himself to escort the disruptive group out of the restaurant to deescalate the situation when other patrons got up to leave.  Lopez's take charge decision ultimately ended his life.  

Van Nuys Homicide Unit is investigating the case and can use your help.  If you have any information, please contact the detectives at (818) 374-9500.

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