Los Angeles Magazine, Stephanie Lazarus Case: 'In Plain Sight' by Steven Mikulan

September 2012 issue of Los Angeles Magazine

UPDATED 5/13/19 Corrected old broken links to Mikulan's story. Sprocket
UPDATED 11/1/13
For those die hard fans that are still interested in Stephanie Lazarus, there is a new article out in Los Angeles Magazine's September 2012 issue, by my good friend Steven Mikulan.  The eight page article is now online.

Along with writing for Los Angeles Magazine, Steven is the editor of Frying Pan News, an online web site that describes itself as “a blog on the current economy” providing, “...original content on politics, business, labor, jobs, the environment, culture...”

I initially met Steven Mikulan back in December 2004, at the Robert Blake trial.  He was the first journalist that I got to know while attending a trial, and has always been most kind, supportive and encouraging of my trial coverage efforts.  Steven was instrumental in saving a space for me in the second row at Phil Spector’s first trial and it’s how I got to know the late writer Dominick Dunne.  The four of us, myself, Steven, Dominick and the Daily Journal's Ciaran McEvoy became a tight knit group during that long drawn-out trial. Ciaran, Steven and I have been friends ever since.

Steven wrote for the LA Weekly for 25 years, mostly covering the local theater scene.  It was later in his career there that he also covered the criminal beat and local politics for the weekly paper.  Steven has a style of putting words together like I’ve rarely seen another writer do so successfully.  For example, he labeled the Lazarus story “media crack.”  I know that Dominick loved reading Steven’s pieces that I printed out for him during the Spector trial.  I’ll never forget when one of Spector’s defense attorneys, Bradley Brunon came over and complimented Steven on the latest story he wrote and asking him about a German term he used in the piece, verfremdungseffekt. Steven’s striking wit is often insightful and at the same time, he has an ability to capture what's most important in a way that can pluck at your heart strings.

What I found refreshing about Steven’s reporting is, he attended some of the trial, did original research on the case and reveals information we haven’t heard about the LAPD’s secret preparations in the hours before Stephanie's arrest.  He also brings new information about Lazarus via interviews with her former partner, Detective Don Hrycyk in the Art Theft Detail Unit, as well as from Stephanie's younger brother, Steven Lazarus. In addition, Steven also scored key interviews with DDA Shannon Presby,  Sherri’s father Nels Rasmussen, and a friend of Lazarus’s who attended UCLA with her.

It’s my opinion that it’s difficult to tell the Lazarus story and do it justice in a magazine article, where others control how may words you get to write.  I thought the article was very good considering the limited amount of space Los Angeles Magazine gave Steven. I should note there are a few errors in the printed magazine version.  However, I believe Steven’s editor is in the process of making corrections to the online version.

I spoke to Steven about his article and he gave me this response:

“Reporting on a story this complex was difficult, because as a writer I know that what got published would become part of a public archive that will be consulted by people in the future. Such readers must always trust a writer to be accurate, they have little choice but to rely on his or her story to be historically true, and yet making sure every factual rivet of any story is secure is no easy task. Throughout this effort I knew that no matter how many times I played back an interview, read a transcript, studied a Thomas Guide, deciphered my trial notes or looked at weather reports from 26 years ago, some little thing could escape my attention." 

 (Note: To view the article online, click on the link in the bottom of the online excerpt that says "subscribe now" and from that page, click on the link to preview a digital copy of the magazine for free.  The article begins on page 152. Sprocket.)


LA Magazine - In Plain Sight

Lonnie Franklin, Jr.: Pre-trial Hearing.

 Lonnie Franklin, Jr., at an earlier court proceeding.

Photo credit and date unknown.

UPDATED 9/23/13: spelling Ms. Rizzo's first name
There was a very quick hearing in Department 109 in downtown Los Angeles today in the Lonnie Franklin, Jr., case, aka the "Grim Sleeper." The prosecutors assigned to this case are Beth Silverman and Marguerite Rizzo.  Franklin is being represented by Seymour Amster and Louisa Pensanti.

Silverman had on a stunning, form fitting suit; the jacket had a bit of flair around the hips. I kept going back and forth in my mind how to describe the color.  It was a deep plum with raspberry tones.  Rizzo was wearing a black suit, white lace top that was accented with a couple strands of large pearls.

Before Judge Kennedy takes the bench, counsel for both sides talk about scheduling then next pretrial hearing and it looks like they are already settling on a tentative date from what those of us in the gallery are overhearing.

At 9:10 AM Franklin is brought out.

Judge Kennedy quickly takes the bench and asks counsel where they are.  Discovery is proceeding now without any glitches.  The case it put over until October 24th, 2012.  Judge Kennedy asks if that is agreeable to the people.  It is.  Judge Kennedy advises the defendant who waives his right to a speedy trial.

Right after that, Ms. Rizzo speaks up and advises Judge Kennedy about another issue, working out the details of having the defense ballistics expert test/examine evidence.  Rizzo states they will ask the court to sign individual "DR numbers" for each case.  The prosecution will talk with (defense?) counsel for a time frame to keep things moving.

Judge Kennedy sounds pleased, responding. "That sounds good. (snip) Thanks very much."

And that's it. Judge Kennedy leaves the bench and Franklin is taken back into the jail area.  It's over so quickly and most in the gallery are still sitting in their seats, almost like they are dazed at how quick the hearing was.  There were at least seven or eight members of the victims families in the gallery that I recognized during the last hearing in July.  The group likes to sit beside each other in the second row, and I moved to the back row to give them room so they could all be together.

When Silverman walks out of the courtroom, I look down at her feet to see what type of shoes she wore with that dark suit.  Very classy, closed-toe snakeskin pumps.

From Wikipedia, list of Franklin's known victims in chronological order of attack:

Name, Sex, Age, and the date remains were found.

1	Debra Jackson	F	29	August 10, 1985
2	Henrietta Wright	F	34	August 12, 1986
3	Thomas Steele ‡	M	36	August 14, 1986
4	Barbara Ware	F	23	January 10, 1987
5	Bernita Sparks	F	26	April 15, 1987
6	Mary Lowe	F	26	November 1, 1987
7	Lachrica Jefferson	F	22	January 30, 1988
8	Alice Monique Alexander	F	18	September 11, 1988
9	Enietra "Margette" Washington‡‡	F	30	Survived
10	Princess Berthomieux	F	15	March 19, 2002
11	Valeria McCorvey	F	35	July 11, 2003
12	Janecia Peters	F	25	January 1, 2007

LOIS GOODMAN: Arraignment & Bail Hearing

Lois Goodman, at her arraignment August 29th, 2012

Photo credit: Al Seib, Los Angeles Times

UPDATE August 30th: removed link. Sprocket.

The LA County Sheriff's web site indicates Ms. Goodman's next court appearance is scheduled for October 3rd, 2012, at Van Nuys Courthouse, Department 122.

Goodman's family is currently trying to raise the funds for her defense.

UPDATE August 29th: for clarity, spelling, by Days Like This

I wanted to get to the Van Nuys Courthouse a bit early because I wanted to pick up a copy of the defense motion at the clerk's office before I entered Dept 100.  A big thanks to Elizabeth Martinez of the court's Public Information Office for getting me that motion so quickly.  You rock, Liz!

Lois Goodman is to be arraigned today on murder charges and her attorney will present a motion to reduce Ms. Goodman's bail.  The prosecution alleges Ms. Goodman repeatedly stabbed at her husband with the the shards from a broken coffee cup.  Although I've never heard of a judge (or commissioner) reducing bail on a murder charge, that doesn't mean it can't happen.

Up on the third floor outside Dept 100 were a mass of people who had come to court in support of Lois Goodman.   I see a friendly face in the rotunda, local ABC 7's on-air court reporter, Miriam Hernandez, and I get to chat with her a bit.  Miriam is a beautiful woman and always looks sharply dressed.  She was wearing a deep berry red top and a geometric patterned skirt.

When the courtroom is finally open, the friends of Ms. Goodman fill half of the center area of the gallery.  I take a quick head count and there appear to be at least 25 or more people here for her.  A few minutes after I take my seat, my friend Katie arrives and gets a seat right beside me.  Katie attended quite a bit of the Lazarus trial with me and it's nice to see her.

A pretty, trim blond officer wearing a form fitting light blue blouse and dark skirt walks by and enters the well of the court.  Her badge is attached to her waist in the front but behind her, attached to a belt in the center of her back are a pair of handcuffs.  A few of us in the gallery joke that the handcuffs hanging there might be attractive to some.

The prosecutor I saw at the first hearing arrives, Lisa Tanner.  She's also accompanied by a second DDA, Sharon Ransom.  Both women are dressed in dark, conservative suits.

At 9:00 AM, Lois Goodman's attorney, Alison Treissl comes out of the detainee area.  She was probably visiting with her client.  One of the reporters tells me Ms. Goodman has three daughters who are all standing by her.

Making small talk, I mentioned that I had attended a LAVA event at the Crime Lab (Hertzberg-Davis Forensic Science Center) on Sunday where author John Leake spoke about his latest self-published book, Cold A Long Time: An Alpine Mystery.  My favorite scientist, Dr. Lynne Herold also spoke at the lecture about ligature knots in relation to an Austria case, the murder trial of Jack Unterweger, that Leake also wrote about in Entering Hades: The Double Life Of A Serial Killer.  (I'm behind on stories, and I hope to put up an entry about this lecture, soon. Sprocket.)

Miriam then shared with me that one of her co-workers at the station, Kevin Warner, also wrote an e-book that he self-published called Bungalow Heaven.  Miriam says it's a combination of mystery and comedy.

9:05 AM, we're still waiting for the hearing to get underway.  Five minutes later, the center gallery is packed.  The still photographer and the video cameraman are in front of me, but I notice that the cameraman doesn't have his heavy video equipment on the tripod yet.   I mention this to Miriam and she wonders too.  She then gets up to check, I think to see what the delay in setting up might be.

9:17 AM, the court reporter takes her desk to the right of Commissioner Mitchell Block.  Katie then mentions to me that she saw Lois for just a moment through the mesh on the door to the detainee section.  There are a few reporters behind me, working away on their laptops and iPads, reading documents and E-mails.  As I watch the detainee area, I see Goodman for just a moment, briefly lean her head to look out the big plate glass windows.  Moments later she is brought out into the courtroom.  She was wearing an orange jumpsuit, with a white long-johns type shirt underneath. This is exactly like what Stephanie Lazarus wore at her pre-trial appearances.

The prosecution and defense identify themselves for the record.  Alison Triessl and Robert Sheahen.  Commissioner Block asks the prosecution if they have had time to read the defense motion.  They have.  Commissioner Block asks the defense if there is anything else, new, they want to put on the record before he rules?  He tells her he does not need to hear argument that he has already read.  Triessl states that they do, and that they will be brief. 

Unfortunately, I don't have in my notes who from the defense speaks first.  This is not a case of pretrial (contation?) (We?) do not have a case of (premeditation?).  "We simply ask the court to reduce bond.  Reduce it to a more reasonable figure." The defense goes on to say, it's beyond the reach of the defendant for this (circumstance?).  (Requesting?) an amount sufficient for her to appear in court.  (The public? standard? there is) no evidence of premeditation.  (The police believe/stated) ...she snapped.  (Then this is a) manslaughter case.

The defense requests a bond of $100,000.00, and something to the effect that this is where bond for a manslaughter case gets filed.  (It's?) already been stated it will come out as a 192 (penal code), (a manslaughter case).

Then the defense argues that if Ms. Goodman is in jail, she will lose the right to a fair trial. The defense needs to help to get to (various?) neighbors..... need her out to....

Triessl goes on the record to give her word as an officer of the court that her family does not have the collateral to meet the 1 million bond.  Her daughters are willing to put up their homes as collateral.  They will not have the collateral for 1 million.

Triessl then describes the concerns she has for Ms. Goodman's health, and her access to needed medical care.  She tells the court that Ms. Goodman has a spinal cord stimulator implanted in her body.  It's been in the constant "on" position since her arrest.  There is a remote device that needs to be in contact with her body to turn it off.  She has not been able to sleep because she can't adjust this device.

Triessl tells the court that Ms. Goodman was cooperative with the police investigators.  She met with them three different times, on April 21st, April 23rd and May 3rd.  She let them know she would be going to New York.  She was willing to cooperate.  She drove herself to the police station, as required.  "I've been assured she will be brought to each and every court hearing. (snip) She will comply to every court instruction.

Then DDA Sharon Ransom addresses the court. She speaks for the victim, Alan Goodman.  Alan Goodman was 80 years old.  He had diabetes and (heart?) condition.  He was a helpless man.  The defendant used (the shards from a coffee cup) to stab the victim at least ten times.  (This was a very violent act?) She left him lying in bed to bleed and die.  She left to officiate a tennis match and to get her nails done.

Ransom continued, "There is evidence of premeditation.  There were two areas of assault (found in the home).  (snip)  There was an assault on the (stairway?) landing and where he lay dying. (snip) Also there were multiple areas of (stabbing? injury? that) show (the defendant) was trying to kill him.(snip) The next day, she spoke to potential witnesses, trying to create an alibi.  (snip) We have evidence she spoke to witnesses the day of the event, the next day and the following week, (snip) telling them different stories as to what might have occurred. (snip) (She was) trying to manipulate potential witnesses. (snip) There are medical facilities in the jail to deal with these (her?) health issues."

DDA Ransom continues to argue that bail should not be reduced in this case.  The recommended bail of 1 million is given to anyone that commits a murder.  This (amount? of) bail given to anyone. It doesn't matter whether they live in Beverly Hills or Compton.  Ransom speaks about her age, and another factor that I miss and asks the court to leave the bail amount at 1 million.

The court asks the prosecution, "Why do you believe she is a flight risk?"

DDA Ransom responds, "She was in New York.  She has connections all over the US... (snip) (as the letters support? show?) I think she is a flight risk."

The court and the prosecutor discuss electronic monitoring and if that would change their position.  The prosecution responds that people can get around electronic monitoring. "I don't think it's an (ultimate?) deterrent (to fleeing?)."

The court then makes it's ruling.  Commissioner Block states, "I have read the moving papers and attached letters.  I disagree with the argument of the defense that because the LAPD detective opined the defendant snapped and this should be a manslaughter case.  The (LAPD) are not the charging agency.  (snip) I don't think the district attorney should be held to what charge can be filed because of what the LAPD said in the newspaper."

"I don't agree with the defense argument that it would be difficult to get witnesses to assist in the defense.  That flies in the face of all the letters she received. (snip) Whether the defendant has the resources, that's not something this court is concerned with. It's concerned with the nature of the charges and setting appropriate bail."

The court then opines on why and when the court should deviate from presumptive bail.  "The court also has to consider the circumstances surrounding each defendant.  In this case the court finds that presumptive bail is justified .... (the defendant's age?), the lack of a criminal record, and ties to the community, the court leans against presumptive bail. (snip) The court does not believe $100,000.00 is appropriate. (snip) There was additional information provided by the prosecution surrounding the incident.  The conclusion I've reached, .... I believe the presumptive ..... set bail at $500,000.00."

Commissioner Block states he took into consideration the seriousness (of the crime) and also took into consideration the lack of criminal acts and ties to the community, (that the bail) will be sufficient, subject to electronic monitoring.  The defendant will have reasonable access to medical appointments and religious services.  Those will be the only exceptions to (home confinement).  He invites counsel to list any other (needed exceptions?).

The defense asked that she be allowed to come to their offices, but then conceded that they could meet her at her home.

The court states that no bail will go into effect until electronic monitoring has been set up.

The court then asks what date to set for the preliminary hearing.  After a bit of back and forth, the date for the preliminary hearing will be October 3rd.  The court calendar is set for that date at zero of 30.

Commissioner Block asks the defendant for her plea.  She waives and pleads not guilty.  Commissioner Block is clear in asking the defendant if she gives up her right to a preliminary hearing within (10?) days and that she will have her preliminary hearing on October 3rd 2012, or 30 days there after.  Ms. Goodman answers, "Yes."  The court asks, "Counsel join?"  The defense join and the prosecution agrees.  And that's it.  (I'll be surprised if the preliminary hearing is held that quickly. Sprocket.)

Everyone files outside to see if the prosecution and the defense will speak to the media.

When I get outside, one of the supporters in the gallery for the defendant is speaking to the media.  It's Sid Kulberg, who knew Ms. Goodman through the tennis community. In his statement, Kulberg tells the press, "I don't know her that well personally... (snip) ...and she has been a friend in the tennis community."

First the prosecution team speaks to the media.  Nothing new was said that wasn't already said in court.  Although DDA Sharon Ransom remained composed in accordance with the seriousness of the charges, DDA Lisa Tanner was still nervously smiling when answering questions from the press.  Below is a photo I took of the prosecutors with my cell phone. I'm sorry the image is not that great quality.

DDA Sharon Ransom, left

DDA Lisa Tanner, right

After the prosecution spoke, Alison Triessl spoke to the press about her client's innocence. She mentioned that it was a testament to Ms. Goodman's ties to the community due to the support (snip) (number of people?) ...in the community here today.  She states her client is very confused and that she told Ms. Goodman it may take some time and to please be patient.  I believe she also spoke about her client's many health issues and that she is innocent of the charges.

I've read some news reports that said Ms. Goodman cried while seated at the defense table.  I did not see it. I overheard one of the photographers say they thought she was going to cry, but they did not see tears.

I have uploaded a complete copy of the defense bail reduction motion.  Although the defense motion states there are over forty letters attached, (and that's what many media outlets reported) when I picked up my copy of the defense motion, there were only twenty-two letters of support from Ms. Goodman's family and friends, along with a statement from Ms. Triessl. Several support letters stated they have known Ms. Goodman for up to 30 years and that she is not a violent person.  For privacy, I have deleted E-mail addresses, personal addresses and phone numbers that appeared in the letters.

It should be noted that an anonymous poster left comments on my prior entry about the defendant's first appearance at the Van Nuys court, claiming Ms. Goodman had several physical ailments.  Every single one of those statements by the anonymous poster were also detailed in the defense bail reduction motion.

DEFENSE MOTION FOR BAIL REDUCTION

ABC GMA's August 29th Story
LA Times Now
LA Times Now Earlier Story