Stephanie Lazarus Trial: Q & A IV

Sherri Rae Rasmussen



 
CORRECTION 5/9/19: See below. Sprocket
UPDATED 3/12/12 5:35 pm

Now that the trial is over and Dateline aired an updated episode on the case, (I'll comment on the show in a moment) I'm sure many of you still have some questions. I will try to answer as many of your questions as I can. I'm still not caught up on answering all my mail, so please do not think that I'm ignoring you. And, as soon I publish this entry, I will be answering my mail then working on the last day of closing arguments which cover the rest of Overland's defense argument and Presby's rebuttal argument.

I've read through several days of comment questions by T&T readers and I've included many of them below.

Question from TS: If there is a hung jury (and I certainly hope not!), is it automatic that there will be another trial? If so, the attorneys on one or both sides may change - yes? Would SL then have the option of a plea deal if offered? And last, SL would still remain incarcerated waiting for another trial unless the 10 million dollar bail was met?
Answer: If there had been a hung jury it's a good bet the case would have been retried. There could also be a change in counsel on both sides, but I would guess that situation would be less likely on the prosecution side. (In Phil Spector, DDA Alan Jackson was involved in both prosecutions. In Cameron Brown, DDA Craig Hum has been the prosecutor on both hung trials and will be handling the third trial. The defense attorney on the Brown case has been different each time.) Yes, I believe shoe would still have been incarcerated until she met bail.

Question from Shannon fr. Seattle: I would love it if you would provide a list of some of your favorite books in this genre. Specifically, I am looking for books that teach people how to recognize lying by face, body language, etc.
Answer: I personally don't know of any books but there might be some out there. Remember, you need to actually "see" the expression being made. However, there are online courses you can take on how to spot and identify micro-expressions. I believe Dr. Paul Ekman has some. I'd also recommend reading the blog Eyes For Lies. She has helped many of her readers hone their skills on how to spot deception.

Question from Robert: I'd love to hear how it was closed out, and if mention was made of Lazarus' lack of an alibi / paper trail (snip).
Answer: Off the top of my head, I'm not remembering a "lack of a paper trail" being mentioned in the rebuttal, but the fact that it was her day off was mentioned. I'm still going to write up my notes from the last day of arguments, so please be patient for that.

Question from Maddie: Looking forward to your reporting on what everyone's reactions were -- particularly the defendant's. Does this mean she'll be stripped of her pension? I think it's unbelievable that she would still be entitled to that.
Answer: From where I was sitting, I could not see Lazarus' face. Standing behind her for virtually all of the time I was in the courtroom were two deputy sheriff's, facing the gallery. The brief look I saw of her mother's face was heartbreaking. She retired before she was convicted of anything so she receives her pension. I believe even if she was convicted, she would still receive her pension.

Question from LC California: Where will you take us next?
Answer: Unless something compelling comes up quickly, I will be covering the Cameron Brown third trial in Judge Pastor's courtroom (Dept. 107) later this summer. This is a very compelling case. It's a true mystery as to what happened on Inspiration Point. I covered the second trial in July 2009. During that trial I got sick at the start of the defense case and so I wasn't able to cover that case in a completely balanced manner. I hope to rectify that. Beyond that, I hope to cover Kelly Soo Park and possibly Lonnie Franklin Jr., (both in Judge Kennedy's courtroom, Dept. 109). The "long shot" I might cover will be Christian Gerhartsreiter, and that will depend on if it's tried in the Alhambra or Pasadena Courthouse or moved to downtown LA.

Question from Anon @3:01 PM 3/8: Who from Stephanie's family was present for the verdict? The LA Times said her mother was escorted out but didn't say a thing about her husband.
Answer: Lazarus' siblings, Judi and Steven were there. Steven's companion was there and a few other people that were there throughout the trial that I've never had identified. I have a bit of information on Lazarus' husband from a trusted eyewitness source in the back row who wishes to remain anonymous.

QUOTE SOURCE: The moment the word "guilty" was read by the court clerk, two deputies separately and immediately put their hands on Carol and Scott Young, helping them up and escorting them out of the courtroom. This was even before the clerk had read the "first degree" part of the verdict. (I believe this is correct. I saw Carol being helped out of her chair before I left, and I was waiting to hear first or second. Sprocket) It appeared to the observer that this was prearranged with Carol and Scott and neither seemed resistant in any way or surprised by the touching of the sheriff's or any other aspect of this "escorting".

Furthermore, Scott Young usually sat in the front row behind the defendant. For the verdict, he was positioned in the chair closest to the exit door with two or three deputies next to him and interacting with him in a polite, professional way. I inferred from all this that both of them wanted to be out of the room immediately if any form of a "guilty" verdict was reached. Scott, being so well positioned, was out of there in a nanosecond; Stephanie's Mom took longer to get up and I think to grab her purse. As she was walking out, and again, while the proceeding was still underway, Steven Lazarus turned around to her from his seat in the front row and mouthed the question "do you want me to go with you?" I didn't catch what her answer or signal was to him because her back was to mine at that point. She must have demurred because he then turned back to resume watching what remained of the proceedings.

Also, one other observation that might be of interest, that may relate to this. When Stephanie walked in the courtroom for the verdict, she turned and warmly (If briefly) smiled to her "section." Then her expression quickly changed, to one of puzzlement—as if someone was missing. Then she looked further to her left and saw Scott Young, in the seat at the end next to the door, gave a quick "aha" expression, and her smile returned, as if to say, "ah, ok, there you are, I'm happy now." I would infer she was briefly unaware of this reconfiguration of Scott, which I would guess was done by voluntary prearrangement.

Question from Anon @ 3:38 PM 3/8: Wonder if she's headed for Chowchilla or Fontana?
Answer: I agree with T&T contributor CaliGirl9 who has insight about these things. My money is on Fontana with the Manson girls.

Question from LC: Excuse my ignorance but who decides the sentence?
Answer: From my understanding, the sentence is written into the California Penal Code 187 for murder at the time of the murder. For example, if she had committed this crime today, it's my understanding she would have received 50 years to life instead of 27 to life. (There was a female CHP officer who was recently sentenced to 50 to life for shooting her husband a few years ago.)

I honestly do not know at what point she is eligible for parole since there have been different answers from different sources. She may be eligible for parole earlier than I had originally thought due to when the crime was committed. It is doubtful she will be granted her freedom at her first parole hearing on first degree murder. It's my belief that to gain parole at any time in the future she would most likely need to admit guilt to the parole board, but I have no evidence to support that.

Question from Shannon fr. Seattle: Will she get credit or will the time be reduced for good behavior etc?
Answer: Lazarus will get credit for time served in the County jail. I believe her time can be reduced for good behavior, but I do not know if that goes into effect since her incarceration, or after she has been transferred to state prison.

Question from Larry L: Now it's time for you to get some needed and well-earned rest and to do something nice for yourself and Mr. Sprocket, as well as "the 'real' Sprocket".
Answer: I took a day off and we treated ourselves to a restaurant meal so Mr. Sprocket did not have to cook. I am one of those lucky women where I don't have to cook; Mr. Sprocket does it all. Sadly, the "real" Sprocket is no longer with us.

Question from Utah Chris: Has there been any discussion of the case convictions SL has completed since the time of the murder and possibly jeopardizing her testimony due to the obvious character defect since identified? I'm sure every convict put away by her is happy to see her past testimony put into a negative light and possibly opening an appeal door for their convictions. What do you think?
Answer: Her conviction for murder had nothing to do with her being "on the job". She was off work that day. I don't see how someone convicted of a crime from Lazarus' testimony at their trial could make an appellate argument for reversal due to her conviction. However, I've been surprised by court rulings before.

Question from Anon @ 11:50 AM 3/9: Does anyone know about the Rasmussen's civil case against the LAPD? Also, Sprocket mentioned working on Cameron Brown's third trial. It's been awhile since I heard his name. Is he in or out of custody at this time and what charges are they looking at?
Answer: I will check with the Rasmussen's family attorney regarding the civil case. I thought I heard in the Dateline piece it was thrown out against the LAPD but that may not be correct. Cameron Brown has been in custody with no bond since his arrest on November 16th, 2003. Brown is charged with 187, felony murder.

Question from Becky: Were you ever able to clear up whether or not the marriage certificate was stolen? Will Stephanie remain in jail until sentencing, or be shipped out to prison now?
Answer: When I have more information on the marriage certificate, I will share it. There was no testimony during the trial as to what happened to it. I'm pretty certain Lazarus remains in jail until she's sentenced. The state prison needs the official sentence before she is shipped off.

Question from Anon @ 8:54 PM 3/9: LAPD was under pressure to clean up their act and while looking onto cold cases they see a familiar name " Stephanie Lazarus" Knowing she has a desk a few cubbies over from the cold case homicide unit, they think " How easy would it be to close this cold case and get the Rasmussen Family closure. (snip)
Answer: Unfortunately, it's clear you are not familiar with the facts of the case and who was responsible for solving it. The cold case unit when it was first started in 2001 was in an old storage closet and not "a few cubbies over" from Lazarus' desk in the Commercial Crimes (Art Theft) Detail Unit. You are confusing the Robbery/Homicide Unit at Parker Center with the Van Nuys Homicide Division that ultimately solved the case. Robbery/Homicide was not handed the case until AFTER the DNA was tested, came back a match and the case was solved. Robbery/Homicide only interviewed Lazarus at Parker Center and made the arrest. That's all they did.

CORRECTION: 5/9/19 RHD took over the investigation from Van Nuys Homicide once the DNA match came back. Besides interview Lazarus and arrest her, this unit did quite a bit of work on the case behind the scenes, getting the case ready for trial. I apologize for this mis-characterization of RHD's work.

The DNA profile came back in 2005. The case went cold a second time when the DNA put into CODIS did not come back with a hit. The case was considered inactive, and left the cold case unit and went back to the originating division, which was Van Nuys. It was there under a standard review that Detective James Nuttall looked at the case with fresh eyes.

Question from Anon @ 8:57 PM 3/9: Sprocket What do you think about this comment I read at the LA Times. Here is a copy of a comment left after the LA Times ran a ad several weeks ago! Makes You Think! MJDavis747 at 1:28 PM February 16, 2012 The DNA evidence will be ruled inadmissible due to contamination and chain of continuity. Judge Perry should have ruled the evidence inadmissible in response to the defense motion to suppress.(snip).
Answer: Mark Overland presented arguments pretrial to exclude this evidence. Judge Perry wasn't swayed by those arguments; I don't believe it had anything to do with "courage". I'd also recommend reading my coverage of the motions to exclude some of the blood evidence and DNA testing on the fingernails. Judge Perry ruled that you couldn't exclude something Ochaie collected but then also include something she did collect. He ruled it all came in and the jury would get to decide what was relevant.

Question from Anon @ 9:00 AM 3/10: Betsy...I feel as though I know you as a friend and silly as it sounds, I will miss you. I know you've said you are shy but for all your T & T friends, please, publish a picture.
Answer: I've already addressed this in a previous Q&A so you can look back and see the answer. I am in my 50's. I need to lose weight. I have graying brown hair past my elbows. I wear wire-rimmed glasses. I am a casual dresser usually wearing jeans and black tennis shoes. The tennis shoes are for comfort and don't set off the security walk-through scanners like my nicer shoes do.

Question from SeniorMoments: It is really ironic that Judge Perry had two cases in his courtroom regarding female law enforcement officers found guilty of murder within a couple of days. Sprocket, do you have any idea how cases are assigned to judges?
Answer: No, I do not know how cases are assigned to the various judges. I'll put that question to the Public Information Office.

The Dateline Episode:
Here are a few things off the top of my head. I will add more, once I view the episode a second time. The episode was edited in such a way that it appears Detective Nuttall stated that Rasmussen received one shot to her body in the kitchen. That's not the case. Of the five shots fired at the scene, Detective Nuttall is saying that at least one of those shots was fired from the dining room/kitchen area. The three shots to her body were fired while she was on the living room floor, flat on her back unconscious from being hit in the head with the vase.

I don't believe the image of the freezers that they showed on the episode were the actual Coroner's Office freezers. It's not my understanding of what those freezers are like.

All the information from Nels about his daughter being stalked was not entered into evidence. It was ruled hearsay. And as we know, the marriage certificate was not testified to at the trial.

UPDATE:
The Dateline Episode:
The Dateline episode states that lockpicking books were found in her home.

I don't believe there were lock picking books found in her home. Detective Stearns testified there was an entry in her daily planner for the week of February 18th-24th 1985 that had the title of two books on locksmithing. They were Complete Course in Professional Locksmithing and Modern Locksmithing. This is in my detail notes that I did not get around to transcribing for the blog.

UPDATED March 12th, 2012, 9:05 AM
It appears I may be wrong about the Dateline edit of Detective James Nuttall's comments on the shots fired. So a belated kudos to "Armchair Detective" for their comment. It appears I may have jumped the gun in not contemplating your supposition more thoroughly. I apologize.

Could there be another theory of the sequence of the shots fired that differs from what detectives in Robbery/Homicide concluded and the theory presented by the prosecution at trial? I don't know. All I know is, there was no blood in the kitchen area.

UPDATED March 12th, 2012, 5:35 PM
I feel I need to make a correction. I know at some point, I said that the Robbery/Homicide detectives only interviewed and arrested Lazarus; they didn't solve the case. That's not completely accurate. Once Lazarus was arrested, Robbery/Homicide performed countless man hours on the case, investigating Lazarus and putting in the research necessary for the DA's office to prosecute her. I apologize for the mis-characterization of their service.

Stephanie Lazarus Verdict Aftermath

3-7-2012 A Jealous Killer, © Thomas Broersma
thomasbroersma AT yahoo.com

NBC DATELINE EPISODE TONIGHT ON THE CASE!

Verdict Aftermath
In the wake of this tragic case that has had so many victims beyond Sherri Rasmussen, I'm reminded of the words that I heard family counsel John Taylor say after the verdict in the Phil Spector trial was reached: "There are no winners here."

That is even more true today with the conviction of Stephanie Lazarus. Although I have not spoken to anyone directly, it's my personal belief that Lazarus' family still believes strongly in her innocence. I suspect everyone in Lazarus' family who loves Stephanie are devastated by the jury's decision. Her mother Carol, who was at every single pretrial hearing that I attended. Her siblings, Steven and Judi, her in-laws and many close friends who stopped their lives to attend every day of the month long trial. And her husband Scott Young, an LAPD detective assigned to the Van Nuys Station who blew kisses to Lazarus after her former lover testified. I can't imagine how he can return to work. It must have been an awkward, stressful situation everyone was under at the Van Nuys Station since Lazarus was arrested in June 2009. And then there's Lazarus' and Young's five-year-old daughter (believed to be adopted from Russia), who hasn't seen her mother since the arrest.

Throughout the trial, I had several discussions with Matthew about what Lazarus' loved ones must be going through and how much this trial must be costing them, not just on a financial level (sources tell me it was a significant amount of money that Overland was paid) but a personal one as well. Independently, we both came to the same conclusion that the only way to report this story was to show compassion to everyone involved.

When a verdict is reached and a long trial is finally over, there is a void that quickly rushes in. For those of us in the gallery whose faces we saw every day and bonded over an emotionally charged experience, it's a bit like being lost as we struggle to return to a life we temporarily left behind. Artist Thomas Broersma who missed the verdict described the feeling well in an E-mail to me late last night:

I feel really sad about not being a part of this anymore, as if I lost a loved one. It's kind of tragic how wrapped up you can become with this kind of experience, the connections you make with all the people who go there and share the same setting, live through the same event, feel the intensity of the proceedings, and then it's over in a flash. Gone. But, I know I will be doing this for a long time.

I do hope Thomas continues to pursue work as a trial sketch artist. I think he has great promise. I know that Matthew and I will still be discussing the details of the case for months to come as he prepares himself to write the definitive book on the case. I know that many of T&T's readers have suggested that I write a book, but at this time in my life I don't believe my skills are honed enough to tackle such a Herculean task and do it justice. I will be putting all my support behind his efforts and give him as much assistance as I can. Besides Matthew already being a published author, you've already seen what he can do with his Atlantic article on this case and his extensive piece in Miller-McCune detailing the first ten years of LAPD's cold case squad.

And then there's the jury. After the verdict was read and before Judge Perry dismissed them, he read them the standard jury instruction about not being able to receive any monetary compensation for 90 days after the verdict. The court sealed the jurors names from the public and gave them the number of the Public Information Office if they were interested in speaking to the media. The were then quickly whisked out of the courtroom through an employee elevator.

I hope we do eventually hear from the jurors and learn what the experience has meant to them and what they were feeling throughout the trial listening to the testimony. What a heavy weight they carried sitting in judgement of Lazarus. If anyone of them happen upon T&T, I hope they will consider contacting me through the blog. I will honor any level of anonymity they wish to preserve.

Details from Yesterday
Here are some details from yesterday I didn't have time to write about.

After I published the morning entry with a short synopsis of DDA Presby's rebuttal argument I entered Department 104 at 9:10 am. There was an empty chair along the back wall near the door right beside DDA Presby. He was kind enough to answer a question I asked him off the record.

There was a pretrial hearing in progress on another case. There were seven defendants all handcuffed together in the well and several attorneys standing behind their clients. I was in an antsy state of mind wanting to know what time the jurors had started deliberating today. The other pretrial hearings were finally over at 9:45 AM and Lazarus enters the courtroom. As she was brought out she turned to look at her family and gave them a big smile. To me, she appeared even thinner than before.

At 9:45 AM, Judge Perry goes on the record outside the presence of the jury and informs the court they received a request from the jury for the testimony of two witnesses to be read back. In addition, the court also received a note at 9:05 AM from the jury about jury instructions.

I was able to write down some of what the note said.
"While going through the jury instructions, it is not clear.... (snip)...?

If we are to consider murder second degree, please provide an instruction... (snip).
Respectfully, Jury Foreperson #9."

At the prosecution table is DDA Presby and Detective Stearns.

Judge Perry tells counsel what he is going to tell the jurors. The court has prepared an instruction (for you?). It is a statement that was inadvertently omitted (from...?). The requirements for second degree are expressed in jury instruction 520. (snip) It was the court's oversight and that I raised the issue over (ti?) (snip) and we never really did define second degree.

MO: I don't... (snip) I had an objection the instruction (for second degree) in the first place but (I have no comment on the instruction? at this time?).

At 9:50 AM the jury is brought out and Judge Perry addresses them about the note requesting the read back.

JP: Let me suggest if in the future, (if you have any further testimony you need read back) if you can identify the portion of the read back (that would be helpful?).

Then Judge Perry reads the juror's question about second degree. After he reads the juror's question he smiles and comments, "Respectfully, I like that."

JP: (snip) We inadvertently, left out what second degree is. This statement (is) part of your jury instructions and I hope this will answer the question. (snip) The requirements for second degree murder are, direct or implied malice are included in instruction 520. The options for the jury are first degree, second degree and not guilty. (snip) We're going to turn it over to the court reporter.

Judge Perry leaves the bench and the court reporter takes the stand. In a very slow and steady tone she reads the testimony from the following witnesses:

Prosecution witness #4, Anastasia Volanaitas, (the neighbor who noticed Sherri and John's garage door was left open in the morning as well as received Sherri's discarded purse from two Latino looking men).

Defense witness #1 Evangelina Flores (the housekeeper who testified she heard noises coming from Unit 205 that morning that sounded like fighting.).

While the court reporter was reading the testimony, I tried to see if there were any jurors taking notes. During Volanaitas' testimony, the following jurors took a few notes: #5, #6 and #10. During Flores testimony, again juror's #5 and #6. It appeared to me that juror #3 was looking down at a notepad and writing but from where I was sitting I could not see if she had a pen in her hand during both read backs.

At 10:35 AM, the court reporter was finished and the court clerk Melody instructed them to go back to the jury room to continue their deliberations. During the entire proceeding, Lazarus sat very still at the defense table. When the jurors left, Mark Overland and his daughter Courtney sat with Lazarus and spoke to her for several minutes before she was taken back into the jail holding area.

At lunch, Matthew found out that the Van Nuys Homicide Unit would be coming down to hear the verdict and James Nuttall met us for lunch. Detective Nuttall (wearing a royal blue tie with his standard Homicide Detective's starched white shirt) kept thanking me for my trial coverage so everyone in the Van Nuys Unit was able to know on a daily basis how the trial was going. I had to keep telling Nuttall to please call me "Betsy" instead of "Mam," which he told me was his habbit.

At 12:45 PM, Matthew and I made it up to the 9th floor that was packed with mainstream media, DDA staff, LAPD officers and friends and family on both sides of the aisle. On the 9th floor, I got introduced to many people, including Jayne Goldberg's husband and prosecution witness David Neuman who both repeatedly thanked me for my trial coverage. Neuman told me, "I feel as if I already know you, since I know so much about your life and the car troubles." Sherri's friend Alicia who worked with her at Glendale Adventist was here. Sherri's sister was sitting on a hallway bench, her arm around Detective Nuttall. Matt and I experienced that emotionally wrought moment between Nels and Clara, Mrs. Presby.

I was one of the media with a green badge that got led inside the courtroom first because we wold be seated in the first row. Once I stepped inside, I asked Public Information Office employee Arlene if I could possibly sit on the end of the second row next to the family. With such a packed courtroom, I wanted to try to get out the door to publish the verdict first and try to beat the mainstream outlets. I'm grateful she honored my request. Arlene pointed me to stand next to the back wall and take that end spot after the second row had been seated.

Judge Ito was in the well of the court, sitting next to the bailiff's desk directly in front of the family. I was sitting next to Jayne Goldberg who was tightly holding Teresa Lane's hand. As tension mounted, Teresa and Jayne became emotional beside me. I put my notebook away, set my purse on the floor and asked Jayne to look after it while I clutched my laptop by my side, ready to bolt as soon as I heard the verdict.

On the other side of the aisle from me, sitting on the end was Lazarus' mother Carol. Right after Melody said murder in the first degree, I got up from my seat. I did not see him leave but friends told me Scott Young immediately left the courtroom. As I was getting up, Carol started to stand too. I think she was standing to try to get one last look at her daughter before being taken away but deputies came to her and escorted her out of the courtroom.

I then rushed out to publish.

I'm not positive but I believe that Steven Lazarus told the media something to the effect that their mother was pushed out of the building, and no one was there for his sister to get a glimpse of before Lazarus was led away.

Down in the first floor lobby, waiting for Nuttall outside the DA's JSID suite, I pull out my laptop, set it on a low empty table and gently place my knees on the terrazzo floor so I can write my 2:44 PM posting. Matthew dictates his notes to me of what he observed inside the courtroom after I rushed out. Thank you so much Matthew for being my eyes and ears. Before we left the building to head to LAPD Headquarters, we exchanged a few words with Detectives Stearns and Jaramillo and that's where I got to finally see Stearns smile and comment on it. Stearns also said to me, "You got it right." He was referring to this observation I made about him when he took the witness stand on Day 8 of the trial:

Detective Stearns appeared very serious when he was testifying. He never came close to a smile once. His demeanor kept reminding me how serious this trial is for everyone involved.

Now that I've updated y'all as much as I can this morning, I'm taking a day off. I'm going shopping at the Camarillo outlet mall with a different Stephanie in my life, a friend from Canada who is here visiting relatives. When I get home later tonight I will try to answer any remaining questions you might have and the stack of E-mails in my box today. After constant badgering by Matthew, I've moved the Paypal Donation link that's been on my blog for the last several weeks to a more prominent position on the right side. Don't forget, I've still got a few stories still to write that I think you will find interesting. Sprocket.

PS: Spelling errors: Witness Dave Neuman' first name is David, not Dave. Lazarus' defense investigator's name is Randal Later. I apologize for the errors.

Stephanie Lazarus Trial: VERDICT!

EDITED for accuracy 3-9-12
UPDATED 10:40 PM

A verdict has been reached in the Stephanie Lazarus Murder case.

GUILTY OF FIRST DEGREE MURDER.

Stephanie is facing 27 years to life

2:01 PM
I rushed out to publish the verdict.

2:44 PM
There were some heavy hitters in the room, especially from the DA's office. Here's a short recap. (My good friend) Matthew McGough provided notes for me. (If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't know what happened directly after I left the courtroom to publish.) I had my laptop under my arm, ready to run out of the room to publish the verdict as soon as I heard it.

AT 1:40 PM Steve Cooley enters the courtroom and sits between, DDA James Garrison, and DDA Sergio Gonzalez. DDA Pat Dixon, was also there. The well of the court was filled with two rows of detectives and DDA's who worked on the case. The first row left to right in the well was Det. James Nuttall, (Van Nuys Homicide) Det. Dan Jaramillo, Det. Greg Stearns, DDA Rosa Alarcon (Who always looked so lovely. Today she had on an elegant black dress with a short jacket and white pearls. She was stunning. Sprocket.), Det. Rob Bub, Det. Marc Martinez (also Van Nuys Detectives). Judge Lance Ito was in the room sitting directly in front of the defendant's family.

There were nine uniformed Deputy Sheriff's present in the well and in the gallery.

1:45 PM Perry takes the bench and warns the gallery he won't tolerate outbursts of any kind.

Presby and Nunez stood for the jury. As we saw throughout the trial, the defendant and her counsel did not stand for the jurors.

As soon as the guilty verdict was read, Lazarus' husband quickly left the courtroom, along with several supporters. As soon as Stephanie's mother stood up, officers escorted her out.

Teresa Lane and Sherri's former roommate, Jayne Goldberg burst into tears as the verdict sinks in.

The jury exited the courtroom at 1:52 PM. Perry orders the probation report. Perry asks Overland if he wants Lazarus to be interviewed for the probation report, and Lazarus declines.

Sentencing is then set for May 4th, 2012, and Judge Perry states, "This matter is concluded." Perry steps down from the bench DA Steve Cooley makes eye contact with DDA Nunez and gives him a salute. Cooley's first handshakes are to Presby and Nunez. A moment later, Cooley shakes Jim Nuttall's hand and they speak for a time in front of the jury box. Rob Bub and Marc Martinez of Van Nuys Homicide unit were exchanging hand shakes with the RHD Detectives Jaramillo and Stearns.

At this time, all the media has left the courtroom, but Matt stays behind. Nunez comes over and shakes the hand of Nels Rasmussen. Nels was very emotional. He can't even speak. John Taylor shakes Nunez' hand and says, "Congratulations and thank you. Great job." Shannon Presby also comes over and embraces the Rasmussen family. JSID Department Head Sergio Gonzalez comes over to pay his respects to the Rasmussen family. Detective Jaramillo also came over and gave Nels a big hug.

This was emotional journey for everyone involved, including me. I've had the wonderful opportunity to meet some amazing people. A big thank you to Matt, who took these last notes since once I left, I was not allowed back into the packed courtroom.

May 4th, the day of sentencing will be Stephanie Lazarus' 52nd birthday.

6:30 PM
I'm finally home. It's been surreal day for me. I was humbled and honored to meet three of the Van Nuys Detectives (Nuttall, Bub, Martinez) who solved the case. Even though they had just worked all through the night on another murder case and hadn't slept since Tuesday, they made it down the the Criminal Court Building to hear the verdict read. Hopefully, I'll get a chance to meet the other member of the Van Nuys team, Detective Pete Barba, who I'm guessing was getting some much needed rest.

I still have a few more stories left to tell on this case. I've interviewed a few people who've contacted me, and I want to share with you what they've had to say about Stephanie Lazarus.

There was a very emotionally charged moment in the hallway before the verdict was read that Matthew and I experienced. Matthew and I were chatting with DDA Shannon Presby's wife (who I swear could pass as Marsha Cross' double) when Nels Rasmussen came up to the three of us and took Clara's hand. He wanted to convey his gratitude to her husband, through her, in case he wasn't able to speak to Presby after the verdict. Matthew described it best. Nels had difficulty getting the words out without choking up. His eyes welled up with tears. The electricity on the entire floor was apparent with all the people there anticipating hearing the verdict. Seeing Nels in such a state, Clara became teary eyed too. I had to look away before I too, became affected by the power of the moment.

I'm going to get a bit of dinner, and I will share some more of my thoughts later tonight. Sprocket.

9:18 PM
Here are two videos by the mainstream media.

FOX NEWS and also NBC Patrick Healy

The FOX video has more of the reading of the verdict. In it you can see many of the players that I've talked about for the past month. DDA Shannon Presby is standing for the jurors on the left; DDA Nunez on the right. You can see that everyone at the defense table (Mark Overland, Lazarus, Courtney Overland, Randal "Randy" Later) did not stand for the jurors. In the very beginning of the tape for a few moments you can see those sitting right behind the prosecutors from left to right are Detectives Nuttall, Jaramillo and Stearns. Next to Stearns is DDA Rosa Alarcon. (Unfortunately, you can't see Nuttall's lovely tie in the video.)

In the NBC video, for a brief moment you can see Rasmussen's family to the far left of the video. Sherri's parents, Nels and Loretta are far left of their attorney John Taylor who is speaking to the media. Directly behind Taylor is John Ruetten. Next to Ruetten peeking over Taylor's shoulder is Teresa, Sherri's sister. On the other side of Taylor behind him, is Jayne Goldberg, Sherri's former roommate. Right next to Taylor is legendary Associated Press reporter, Linda Deutsch. Off to the far right is on air KFI reporter Eric Leonard. In the foreground with her back to you in the pink blouse, is Pat LaLama.

During the press conference by Mark Overland, you can see Steven Lazarus who has stood by his sister, in the background.

There are moments in the video where Lazarus does look over at the jurors. For those brief seconds, you can see that she is much thinner, almost gaunt. She does not have any of the wild-eyed look that was published so heavily in the press right after her arrest.

After I had heard the three buzzes signaling a verdict I rushed out to the ante chamber to publish. I was so nervous I had Matthew McGough hold my laptop for me so I could type standing. I didn't want to go out into the hallway. Once the realization settled in that a verdict had been reached, I started getting that same nervous energy that I had experienced before during the second Spector trial and the James Fayed case: a feeling of heightened awareness of my surrounings and a sense that my whole nervous system was on edge. The electricity in the air was already building.

I was on pins and needles when I sat down to lunch with Matthew when who of all people sit down with us, was none other than Detective James Nuttall. After the verdict, he gave T&T readers a quote: "Better to be lucky than good." There was no "luck" to it in my book. It was damn fine police work. The Van Nuys detectives worked tirelessly for four months, making sure they had every possible loose end tied up before they handed the case to Robbery/Homicide.

Matthew and I attended the DA's press conference, where (I was disappointed to hear) James Nuttall's name only mentioned once at the beginning. We then dropped in on John Taylor's press conference. We got to speak to Jaramillo and Stearns for a few moments after that where we heard that Chief Beck would be giving a separate press conference in front of the new LAPD building. (It was later cancelled.) While Matt was talking to them, I saw Detective Stearns break into a smile for the first time and I said, surprised, "I finally get to see you smile!" Stearns has such an expressive face. Stearns replied, "I never smile in the courtroom."

Waiting out in front of the LAPD, Matthew and I spot Dateline NBC's Josh Mankiewicz. I sit down on a bench, my feet and back finally giving out. Matthew goes over to introduce himself and Mankiewicz says he's read Matthew's article in The Atlantic. Before I can stop him, Matthew is telling Mankiewicz who I am and I get introduced. Imagine my shock when Josh says to me that he's read T&T. Who would have ever thought that the mainstream prime time network media would be reading the trial coverage of a shy, semi-retired, middle aged housewife. I still can't believe it myself.

10:40 PM
The sentence is set by law. It's written into the California Penal Code 187. From my understanding, Judge Perry does not have any leeway regarding the sentence. She will receive 25 years to life for the for the first degree murder conviction and an additional two years for the gun enhancement charge. Lazarus will be sentenced under the Penal Code that was in effect in 1986, when the murder occurred. If Lazarus had committed this crime in 2012, she would have been facing a much stiffer sentence.

I will still be sharing with you the final day of closing arguments within the next few days. Sprocket.