Crime | 89.3 KPCC

Roommate of Maribel Ramos remains jailed, scheduled for Tuesday court appearance

KPCC Staff — Sat, 18 May 2013 12:24:36 -0700

Fifty-four-year old Kwang Cho "KC" Joy remains held in the Orange County jail on $1 million bail in connection with the death of Maribel Ramos, a 36-year-old Cal State Fullerton student and Iraqi war veteran.; Credit:

The death of Maribel Ramos, a Cal State Fullerton student and Iraqi war veteran, has been ruled a homicide, and her 54-year old roommate remains held in the Orange County jail on $1 million bail in connection with her death, according to authorities.

Kwang Cho "KC" Joy is scheduled to appear in Orange County court on Tuesday, according to Orange County Sheriff's Department records. Police arrested Joy on Friday afternoon after Orange Police Department investigators contacted him in connection with the discovery of Ramos' body in unincorporated Orange County, according to authorities.

Following an autopsy on Friday, Ramos' death was re-classified as a homicide, Orange Police Lieutenant David Hill said.

Hill said via email on Saturday that over the weekend no additional information would be released regarding the case, which was submitted to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

Ramos' body was found Thursday near Santiago Canyon Road and Jackson Ranch Road, near Modjeska Canyon. She was last seen at her Orange apartment complex on May 2, and was to attend a lunch hosted by KPCC to discuss student-veterans issues the week she went missing.

Ramos, 36, was set to graduate this month with a degree in criminal justice from California State University, Fullerton. She had served two tours in Iraq as an Army sergeant.

Ramos' friend and mentor, Brenda Estrada, told KPCC via e-mail that Ramos' family and friends "are all mourning the loss of an amazing human being."

Joy had been Ramos' roommate for a year and a half. He spoke with the media immediately after she went missing in early May and was questioned throughout the case leading up to Friday. Joy had described Ramos as his best friend and the only family that he had.

Cal State Fullerton President Mildred García released the following statement Friday night -- via the university's media relations office -- in regards to Ramos' death:

"The Titan family is profoundly sad upon hearing confirmation by the Orange Police Department that a body found Thursday has been identified as our student Maribel Ramos.

"Since Maribel went missing earlier this month, our community has come together to spread the word about her disappearance and keep her foremost in our hearts and prayers.

"Maribel was a beloved student and military veteran, who was actively engaged here on our campus and in the community. She was a wonderful role model for our students, faculty and staff. And we honor her for her past service to our country as an airborne paratrooper in the Army and her commitment to her education.

"We continue to offer our support to her family and friends during this exceedingly difficult time."

Police ID body of missing Orange County woman Maribel Ramos; roommate arrested

Ben Bergman with Mike Roe and Eric Zassenhaus — Sat, 18 May 2013 10:03:00 -0700

36-year-old Maribel Ramos served two tours in Iraq as an Army Sergeant and is a frequent advocate for veterans.
; Credit: Matthew Gush

Update 10:00 a.m.: Cal State Fullerton president issues statement

Cal State Fullerton President Mildred García released the following statement Friday night -- via the university's media relations office -- in regards to authorities indentifying a body found on Thursday as that of 36-year-old Maribel Ramos:

"The Titan family is profoundly sad upon hearing confirmation by the Orange Police Department that a body found Thursday has been identified as our student Maribel Ramos.

"Since Maribel went missing earlier this month, our community has come together to spread the word about her disappearance and keep her foremost in our hearts and prayers.

"We continue to offer our support to her family and friends during this exceedingly difficult time."

CSUF President Mildred García

Update 5:04 p.m.: Body ID'd as Maribel Ramos

At a press conference Friday afternoon, Orange County officials said they had identified the body discovered a day earlier as that of 36-year-old Maribel Ramos.

Ramos' roommate, K.C. Joy, has been arrested, Orange Police Lieutenant David Hill said. The inquiry into her disappearance has switched from a missing persons to a homicide investigation, Hill said.

"Joy was contacted by Orange investigators and voluntarily accompanied them to the station," Hill said.

Joy, 54, had been Ramos' roommate for a year and a half. He spoke with the media immediately after she went missing in early May and was questioned throughout the case leading up to Friday.

He described Ramos as his best friend and the only family that he had.

Ramos, 36, was due to graduate this month from Cal State Fullerton with a degree in Criminal Justice. She served two tours in Iraq as an Army Sergeant and was a frequent advocate for veterans.

She was slated to attend a lunch at KPCC to discuss student-veterans issues the week she went missing.

This story will be updated

Update 8:04 a.m.: A body was discovered Thursday afternoon in unincorporated Orange County. Orange police responded to the scene as part of the investigation into Maribel Ramos, 36, missing since May 2, according to an Orange Police Department statement.

Police say no connection has been made between the body and Ramos's disappearance, but the investigation is continuing.

The body was found in brush near Santiago Canyon Road and Jackson Ranch Road, near Modjeska Canyon.

Ramos was last seen at her Orange apartment complex on May 2. She is a student at California State University, Fullerton and served two tours in Iraq as an Army sergeant.

Ramos was set to graduate this month with a degree in criminal justice.

Correction: An earlier version of this story had the wrong spelling of K.C. Joy's first name

Compton fire official, reality star pleads not guilty to arson charges

Rina Palta and Sharon McNary — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:52:48 -0700

Compton's Interim Deputy Fire Chief -- a one-time BET reality star -- faced a judge Friday on accusations that he stole city-owned communications equipment, sold it over the internet, and then set fire to fire department headquarters to destroy the evidence.

Marcel Melanson, 37, pled not guilty to arson, grand theft, and embezzlement charges in a Los Angeles Superior Court. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years and 8 months in state prison.

During his 15 years with the fire department, Melanson became something of a media darling. He was a prominent character in a BET series called "First In," which shadowed the department. Melanson drew attention for his youth, elaborate tattoos -- and dangerous job.

In 2010, Fast Company named him one of "the top 100 most creative people in business" for his efforts in technological innovation for the fire department. He was lauded for his ability to get around a constrained budget by bringing corporations in to help -- including Motorola and Cisco.

"He was very bright young man and had a shining future, so we're still not understanding why he decided to take these actions," said Compton City Manager Harold Duffey.

The charges stem from a fire that broke out on December 11, 2011 near the racquetball courts in Compton's main fire station on Acacia Ave. According to reports from the time, the fire destroyed about $1.1 million in communications equipment.

The city had purchased the Motorola radios as a preliminary step towards reviving its police department, which shut down in 2000 to save costs amidst a budget crisis. The city has contracted policing to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department ever since. Compton's City Council launched an effort to rebuild its police department in 2010 and the radios were part of the preparations.

The City Council aborted the plan for lack of funds the following year and reportedly decided to sell the Motorolas. That was eight months before the fire.

In March 2012, the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department found for sale on the internet several radios the city had thought burned up in the fire.

Duffey, Compton's City Manager, said some radios were returned by the people who'd purchased them.

"That helped the investigation, obviously," he said. The city recouped 70 percent of the damaged equipment's value through insurance.

On Friday, Melanson's attorney, Robert Rico, said the investigation took so long because fire investigators disagreed about whether the blaze was intentionally set or an accident. It's being investigated by authorities from both Long Beach and Montebello. The Sheriff's department investigated the embezzlement allegations.

Rico said one of the Long Beach fire investigators recently changed his or her mind and decided the fire constituted arson.

"Obviously we have an issue with that," he said.

Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney Renee Rose declined to comment.

Melanson is currently in jail on $350,000 bail. Because of the embezzlement charges, a judge must review the source of his bail funds before he can be released. A bail hearing is set for May 24. Duffey said Melanson was released from service two months ago.

UPDATE: Last of LAPD consent decree officially dismissed

Rina Palta with AP — Thu, 16 May 2013 19:38:00 -0700

LAPD put on helmets, and take a stance around an immigration march.; Credit: Maya Sugarman/KPCC

UPDATE 7:30 p.m.: At a news conference Thursday, Los Angeles municipal leaders said the nearly 12 years of court oversight – which led to many reforms – was good for the department and the public it serves.

L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said when the Rampart scandal hit in the late 1990's – revealing excessive force by gang officers – the LAPD was a different department.

"Our police department was a poster child of a troubled department," Villaraigosa said. "A prime example of how not to police a big city."

Now, after instituting 187 changes as part of an agreement to avoid a civil rights lawsuit, the mayor said the LAPD is a model agency that reflects the diversity of the city. And it responds to, rather than ignore, its critics.

LAPD Chief Charlie Beck said that along with making the department more community friendly, the decree has improved public safety.

"We've become accountable, we've become transparent, and we've become more effective than we've ever been," Beck said. "Violent crime since the beginning of the consent decree has been cut by two-thirds."

Connie Rice, of the Advancement Project, agreed the LAPD has come a long, long way.

"What remains to be done is probably the hardest stuff to do," Rice said.

The civil rights leader also said she would like to see officers rewarded for spending time with community groups and leaders. Rice said she and other watchdogs in L.A. will be monitoring the department closely.

PREVIOUSLY: A federal judge has formally dismissed the final remnants of the Los Angeles Police Department's decade-long consent decree with the U.S. Department of Justice.

In two short sentences, U.S. district Judge Gary Allen Feess released the department Wednesday from a transition agreement put in place in 2009 to ensure reforms made following a corruption scandal were kept in place.

The city was forced into the consent decree under the threat of a federal lawsuit.

The U.S. government alleged a pattern of civil rights violations committed by police officers that officials said went back decades.

The abuses came to light after the so-called Rampart scandal in which officers in an elite anti-gang unit were found to have beaten and framed suspected gang members.

The decree was entered into in 2001.

Culver City suspect pleads not guilty to pipe bomb charges

AP — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:23:48 -0700

The Culver City bomb squad investigates potential explosives Wednesday, May 15, 2013.; Credit: NBC Los Angeles

Los Angeles County prosecutors say a 29-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to having bomb-making materials and other crimes after police found suspicious materials in his car and apartment.

Spokeswoman Jane Robison says Robert Colt Wilson of Culver City was arraigned Thursday on seven felony counts, including possession of methamphetamine.

Wilson was arrested Tuesday after police discovered a loaded weapon and an explosive in his car during a routine traffic stop.

Early Wednesday, a bomb squad inspected his apartment and found bomb-making materials and an explosive device there. Four blocks were evacuated as a result.

Los Angeles police said Wednesday that Wilson has no terrorist connections, and he appears to be a man who is just very curious about explosives.

If convicted, he faces more than nine years in prison.

UPDATE: Student in custody in Santa Monica College, East LA College threats

KPCC staff with KPCC wire services — Thu, 16 May 2013 11:04:00 -0700

Janet Mar reunited with her son Maddox Kiyohara outside the Brightwood School on May 16th, 2013.; Credit: Mae Ryan/KPCC

The Los Angeles Police Department is now the lead agency in the investigation of the threatening phone calls that led to the lockdown of two local community college campuses and 15 public schools.

Police located the suspect after a search that sent parents and the news media into a panic Thursday morning.

Threats to 'shoot up' school

Monterey Park police said the caller threatened to "shoot up" an unknown school.

The caller said a man with a gun was going to a college campus in the Monterey Park area, Los Angeles County Sheriff's spokeswoman Nicole Nishida said. The anonymous caller claimed to be a student at Santa Monica College and said the shooting would happen at 8 a.m.

Police traced both cell phone calls to locations near the campuses.

Suspect found in campus Psych Services center

After an intense search, police said they located the suspect in Santa Monica College's psychiatric services department.

"He was unarmed," Santa Monica police officer Richard Lewis said. "He was taken into the custody without incident. And our investigation continues."

The 19-year-old Santa Monica College student was unarmed when officers found him. He said he was suicidal and intended to shoot other students and himself, according to the Santa Monica Police Department.

Thursday evening, police Sgt. Candice Cobarrubias said the student was being questioned but hadn't been arrested.

Lockdowns and evacuations frustrate students, frighten parents

Campuses in East Los Angeles and Santa Monica were shut down because of the threat.

East Los Angeles College in Monterey Park was evacuated and classes were canceled for the day. At Santa Monica College, students received notice of the lockdown through automated phone calls and emails. Twenty year-old journalism student Simon Luca-Manili was on of them.

"I was on the bus, and everybody's phone starts ringing," said Luca-Manili. "I pick up and there's this voice telling us the school is on lockdown. They didn't tell us why, they just said the school was on lockdown, please don't go to campus."

Luca-Manili works for the campus newspaper. He went on campus anyway and wound up recording a video of police taking the suspect from Psychology Services office to a squad car. Luca-Manili said he didn't know the suspect personally but that he "looked familiar."

Luca-Manili said the lockdown frustrated some students.

"Wherever they were at, they had to stay in there until the threat was over," he said.

A Santa Monica middle school, elementary school and preschool were also shut down.

Among them was Brightwood Elementary School in Monterey Park. Celeste Cruz said she ran to get her daughter, a student at the school, when she found out.

"My heart started racing. I got scared," Cruz said. "Luckily, two of my children were at home with my grandma, and one was here at school. So I came right away from work to pick her up."

Gersom Flores said he was on his way to work when he heard the news that his children's school was being evacuated due to a threat. He said he quickly raced back from Encino to Monterey Park.

"Things have been really crazy these days," he said. "And thinking that it's at your kids' school is terrifying that something bad could happen. So it was a long ride back to school, hoping everything was all right."

No weapons were recovered.

This story has been updated. Correction: An earlier version of this story misidentified Santa Monica College as "Santa Monica City College."

Family: Downey agrees to settle fatal police shooting lawsuit for $4.5 million

Erika Aguilar — Thu, 16 May 2013 06:01:15 -0700

The family of Michael Nida announces they've reached a settlement with the city of Downey for $4.5 million over the fatal shooting of the unarmed man. ; Credit: Erika Aguilar/KPCC

The city of Downey has agreed to settle a lawsuit filed by the family of an unarmed man fatally shot by one of its police officers with an automatic rifle nearly two years ago.

Downey will pay $4.5 million to the family of Michael Nida, who was killed October 22, 2011. The civil case was set to go to trial Tuesday, but a settlement was reached the day before. A federal judge must give final approval to the settlement, according to a statement from the city of Downey.

Nida’s family announced the agreement at a news conference Wednesday in front of the federal courthouse in downtown Los Angeles.

“No amount of money will bring my brother back,” said Terri Teramura, Nida’s sister. “Money is not justice, but Downey will pay to support Michael’s family since they took away their provider.”

Downey police were searching for an ATM robbery suspect when they came across Nida at a gas station. He tried running from police but was detained. Nida ended up breaking free from police custody twice, resulting in a foot chase, according to a report, which can be read below.

Nida made an aggressive move toward officers right before officer Steven Gilley fired at him, according to Downey police. No weapon was found on Nida, who didn’t commit the suspected ATM robbery, an investigation later concluded.

The shooting triggered protests in Downey and at city council meetings, where Nida’s family continues to protest every week.

“We are still very active in support other families that have been thrust into this nightmare because of rogue killer cops,” Terramura said.

Last October, the L.A. County District Attorney’s Office declined to file criminal charges against officer Gilley, who is still with Downey police. The DA's review stated Nida resisted arrest, ran away and repeatedly ignored warnings from police, including threats of "blowing his head off."

Despite the review, Terramura called on the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate the shooting.

The Downey Police Department issued a written statement addressing the settlement:

"The City of Downey and the family of Michael Nida, through their respective attorneys, are working to bring an end to a legal case arising from the officer-involved shooting on Oct. 22, 2011, that claimed Mr. Nida's life. Any proposed settlement must be reviewed and approved by a federal judge. Until that time, the insurance risk pool's decisions for this matter are beyond the City's control."

"With regard to the actual facts of this case, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office report is available and provides an unbiased assessment of the shooting. The City invites anyone who is interested in the real facts to review that report."

Nida’s four children, who are all under the age of 16, will receive the settlement money when they turn 18-years old.

The family says they’d like to build a skate park named after the father, since that was one of his favorite activities to do with his son.

Los Angeles County District Attorney Review of Fatal Shooting by Downey police

Police ID suspect in Westside pipe bomb arrest

Tami Abdollah | AP — Wed, 15 May 2013 18:23:00 -0700

The Culver City bomb squad investigates potential explosives Wednesday, May 15, 2013.; Credit: NBC Los Angeles

Update 6:22 p.m.: Police ID suspect in Westside pipe bomb arrest

Authorities say a police bomb squad has detonated 17 homemade explosive devices found in a Los Angeles apartment after a routine traffic stop revealed a potentially dangerous liquid in a man's car.

Police say 29-year-old Robert Wilson was taken into custody and booked on felony possession of a destructive device.

Authorities believe the man was acting alone, and said there were no apparent links to terrorism.

A police spokesman says Wilson "appears to be an individual who was just very curious with explosive devices and then manufactured them."

Police say officers stopped Wilson for improper vehicle registration on Tuesday night and spotted a clear liquid that was worrisome.

Officers also found a gun and narcotics. That discovery prompted the search of the man's apartment. The complex and three surrounding buildings were evacuated Wednesday, and several blocks were sealed off.

Update 3:37 p.m.: LAPD arrests Westside LA man after possible explosives found in his car, apartment

A police bomb squad was detonating homemade explosive devices found in an apartment on Wednesday after a traffic stop revealed a potentially dangerous liquid in a man's car, authorities said.

The man remained in custody as police evacuated several buildings and destroyed at least four devices. Authorities believe the man was acting alone, and said there were no apparent links to terrorism.

"This appears to be an individual who was just very curious with explosive devices and then manufactured them," police spokesman Sgt. Frank Preciado said.

The bomb squad went to an apartment complex in the Palms neighborhood of west Los Angeles after officers stopped the man for improper vehicle registration on Tuesday night and spotted a clear liquid that was concerning, police Sgt. Rudy Lopez said.

Officers also found a gun and narcotics, and the man was arrested. His name was not immediately released.

That discovery prompted the search of the man's apartment. The complex and three surrounding buildings were evacuated, and several blocks were sealed off.

Officers were taking the explosive devices to a closed off street and disarming them, fire Capt. Jaime Moore said.

"They've created a bunker in order to shelter any shrapnel or debris that may fly with the detonation," Moore said.

The man had not yet been booked because investigators were still determining the extent of any possible crimes, Lopez said.

Residents were directed to a nearby shelter during the evacuation.

Marion Firnhaber said she grabbed a book and a banana and was out the door of her apartment.

"I came outside and there were so many policemen, I thought, 'Nobody's going to get away with anything,'" she said.

___

Associated Press writer Raquel Dillon contributed from Los Angeles.

OJ Simpson testifies in bid for new Vegas trial

Ken Ritter and Linda Deutsch | AP — Wed, 15 May 2013 11:11:51 -0700

Judge Linda Marie Bell listens as O.J. Simpson testifies during an evidentiary hearing in Clark County District Court May 15, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada.; Credit: Pool/Getty Images

More than four years after the world last heard from O.J. Simpson in court, one of the nation's most famous prisoners spoke again Wednesday in a bid to win freedom from a sentence that could keep him behind bars until he dies.

Simpson took the stand to testify about his legal representation by attorney Yale Galanter in the case involving a strange hotel room confrontation with sports memorabilia dealers that led to a conviction for armed robbery and kidnapping.

Under questioning by his co-counsel, Patricia Palm, Simpson discussed his background with Galanter and the hotel incident.

"Yale had a good relationship with the media," Simpson said.

"I was in the media a lot. He was able to refute many of the tabloid stories," Simpson said with a laugh. "He sort of liked doing it; he told me he did."

The 65-year-old former football star and actor, now with short graying hair, receding hairline and dressed in drab prison uniform, spoke clearly and confidently as he recounted events leading up to the confrontation in a hotel room where the dealers had Simpson footballs and family photos.

During the trial, two co-defendants who took plea deals and testified for the prosecution, said they had guns. Simpson, however, was adamant Wednesday that he never asked anyone to bring weapons.

"There was no talk of guns at all," he told Palm.

Simpson's voice cracked a bit as he recounted recognizing items on the hotel room bed, including framed photos that used to hang on the wall of his Los Angeles home.

"Look at this stuff. Some of the stuff I didn't really realize was gone. These were things I hadn't seen in 10 years," he said. "You know, you get a little emotional about it."

Simpson told his attorney he believed he was allowed to take the items.

In 2008, Simpson was near tears as he told a judge: "I didn't mean to steal anything from anybody. ... I'm sorry. I'm sorry for all of it."

There is no jury in the hearing and his fate will be determined by Clark County District Judge Linda Marie Bell.

Unlike previous days of the hearing, the courtroom was full, with Tracy Baker, daughter of Simpson sister Shirley Baker, Charles Durio, husband of Simpson's deceased sister, Carmelita, in the second row. Also on hand was Tom Scotto, a Simpson friend from Miami whose wedding brought Simpson to Las Vegas.

A marshal turned people away, sending more than 15 people to an overflow room where video was streamed live.

When he went to trial in 2008, Simpson did not testify — a decision that one of his lawyers said was pushed upon him by Galanter.

With 19 points raised to support reversal in the writ of habeas corpus, Simpson was expected to answer many questions from his lawyers and then undergo cross-examination by an attorney for the state who wants to keep him in prison.

Simpson is serving nine to 33 years in prison for his conviction on armed robbery, kidnapping and other charges.

Earlier, attorney Gabriel Grasso was Simpson's star witness, the Las Vegas lawyer who joined the case when his old friend, Galanter, called and said, "Hey, Gabe, want to be famous?"

He said he soon realized he would be doing most of the behind-the-scenes work while Galanter made the decisions.

"I could advise O.J. all day long, and he was very respectful of me," Grasso told the court. "But if I advised him of something different from what Yale said, he would do what Yale said."

It was Galanter's decision not to have Simpson testify, Grasso said.

Under questioning from H. Leon Simon, attorney for the state, Grasso acknowledged the trial judge, Jackie Glass, specifically asked Simpson if he wanted to testify and he said no.

"Mr. Galanter told him, 'This is the way it's going to be,'" Grasso said, adding he would have put him on the stand.

He said Simpson's confidence in Galanter was born of the acquittal he gained for Simpson in a road rage case in Florida five years after his 1995 acquittal on murder charges in the stabbing deaths of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman.

Galanter is now the focus of Simpson's motion claiming ineffective assistance of counsel and conflict of interest. He has declined to comment until he takes the stand Friday.

There are questions of money, too. Grasso accused Galanter of lining his own pockets while telling him they were "operating on a shoestring" and couldn't afford to hire expert witnesses. Simpson's business attorney, Leroy "Skip" Taft, testified by phone Tuesday that he kept getting big bills from Galanter but no explanation of what costs were eating up hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Witness after witness spoke of a proposed plea bargain that Galanter turned down on Simpson's behalf but no one was sure the defendant knew about it.

There were rumors that Galanter gave his blessings to Simpson's plan to show up at the hotel room and reclaim his memorabilia, which two dealers were trying to peddle.

Retired Clark County District Attorney David Roger, who prosecuted Simpson, was asked whether investigators determined if Galanter helped Simpson plan the hotel room confrontation.

"He said he did not advise Mr. Simpson to commit armed robbery," Roger said.

"And he said he wasn't there?" asked Simpson attorney Ozzie Fumo.

"Yes," Roger replied.

Others have testified that Galanter was in Las Vegas and had dinner with Simpson the night before.

The other prosecutor, Chris Owens, testified about discovering phone calls between the two but hiding that fact from the judge. He identified at least 10 calls in the days preceding and on Sept. 13, 2007.

Both prosecutors described an agreement with the Simpson defense that was read to the jury saying there were no calls.

"So you stipulated to events that weren't true?" Fumo asked Owens.

"It was in the form of a legal construct," Owens replied and said the judge encouraged it because she didn't want to confuse the jury with another issue.

This is Simpson's last chance under state law to prove that he was wrongly convicted. A federal court appeal is still possible.

UPDATE: Witnesses say authorities erased video of Kern County beating

AP staff with KPCC staff | AP with KPCC — Wed, 15 May 2013 10:55:00 -0700

A Kern County Sheriff's Office patrol vehicle.; Credit: Courtesy Kern County Sheriff's Office

The FBI has agreed to investigate the death of a man beaten by Kern County sheriff's deputies while witnesses shot video with cellphones. Witnesses Melissa Quair and Laura Vasquez tell the L.A. Times that authorities allegedly erased a video of the beating.

Sheriff Donny Youngblood said Tuesday that he asked the FBI to conduct a parallel probe into the death of 33-year-old David Sal Silva.

Youngblood says his department took two cellphones seized from witnesses to the FBI's Sacramento office.

The department has come under scrutiny for seizing the phones, but Youngblood defends the move, saying they were taken with warrants as part of the investigation.

Deputies said Silva fought them May 8 after they approached him about complaints of drunken people in the area. Six deputies, a sergeant and two California Highway Patrol officers were at the scene. Silva was beaten, stopped breathing and died at a hospital.

This story has been updated.

Kern County sheriff asks FBI to review cellphone videos

AP — Tue, 14 May 2013 18:05:00 -0700

; Credit: Picture Perfect Pose/Flickr.com

Update 5:50 p.m.: Kern Co. sheriff asks FBI to review cell phone videos

The L.A. Times reports that the Kern County Sheriff has asked the F.B.I. to open their own investigation adn review cell phone footage that his deputies confiscated from witnesses of the incident.

According to the Times, Sheriff Donny Youngblood said he took the 'unprecedented' action in order to restore the credibility of his department and their investigation into the death of 33 year-old David Silva, who died shortly after he was struck by police batons:

"I took the unprecedented step of asking the FBI to conduct a parallel investigation," Youngblood told The Times. "Our credibility is at stake here."

Youngblood said he has also placed the officers on paid administrative leave, a decision made in the last 48 hours, based on information they had received. He said he wanted to ensure the safety of the officers on the street.

Attorneys representing David Silva's family say they fear the footage could be altered or lost.

8:20 a.m.: Kern County’s sheriff is defending the seizure of cellphone video of a man’s deadly encounter with deputies.

David Silva was beaten with batons last week in Bakersfield. The father of four died at a hospital. The cause of death is under investigation.

Hours after the confrontation, detectives confronted two witnesses who’d videotaped the incident and seized their mobile phones.

On Monday, Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood told the Los Angeles Times that the phones were seized through a search warrant as part of the investigation.

He tells the Bakersfield Californian that the videos will be made public later.

However, an attorney for Silva’s family, David Cohn, says he’s worried that the videos might be altered.

Santa Ana police shoot, wound 2 car-theft suspects

AP — Tue, 14 May 2013 17:50:04 -0700

; Credit: Photo by Harvey K via Flickr Creative Commons

Police say they've shot and injured two people accused of stealing a woman's car outside an Anaheim hotel.

The Los Angeles Times reports the suspects approached a guest at Akua Motel in Santa Ana on Tuesday and forced her to hand over her car keys at gunpoint.

The robbery victim was uninjured. The car was then tracked down through the anti-theft tracking device installed in the car.

Police found the car and chased it for several blocks until the suspects lost control and crashed.

Santa Ana police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna says it's unclear if the suspects were shot while they were still inside the car or if they tried to flee.

Driving Dead — man pleads guilty to stealing big-rig to flee zombies

Mike Roe — Tue, 14 May 2013 12:20:38 -0700

A general view of atmosphere at New York Comic Con - "The Walking Dead" at Javits Center on Oct. 15, 2011 in New York City.; Credit: Paul Zimmerman/Getty Images for AMC

It’s a story right out of AMC's “The Walking Dead,” or at least “Zombieland.” In a scheme probably slightly less clever than one from the Governor, a man hid in the back of a big-rig in Tennessee, then stole it after the driver crossed the country and stepped out near Temecula.

The reason? He told investigators he was fleeing zombies.

The man who fled zombies, Tennessee 19-year-old Jerimiah Hartline, pleaded guilty Monday to assault with a deadly weapon, hit-and-run causing death or injury and vehicle theft.

The California Highway Patrol says that Hartline was under the influence of a substance that led him to believe he was being chased by zombies (or “walkers,” for you TV fans).

In fact, he thought there were zombies clinging to the truck, forcing him to quickly swerve back and forth to shake them off. No video is available of the dramatic events that happened inside Hartline’s mind.

During the imagination zombie chase, Hartline hit several cars and caused a pile up, as well as injuring seven people and ultimately flipping the big rig on its side. I guess that’s why the roads on “The Walking Dead” are all covered with abandoned cars.

Hartline’s looking at up to five years in prison. No word on how thankful he is to not be facing the prison of being a reanimated human corpse.

Camp ranger sues over $1 million Christopher Dorner reward

AP — Tue, 14 May 2013 08:00:33 -0700

Rick Heltebrake relates the tale of how Christopher Dorner hijacked his truck on Highway 38 to reporters while his dog Suni hangs around.; Credit: Grant Slater/KPCC

A camp ranger carjacked by Christopher Dorner has sued after failing to get a $1 million reward offered for information that tracked down the killer.

The Orange County Register says Richard Heltebrake has sued Irvine and several public agencies that contributed reward money. He also sued the four people who were awarded the money.

Irvine officials declined to comment.

Dorner, a fired Los Angeles policeman, killed four people in a revenge rampage before he was cornered in February. He shot himself in a Big Bear cabin.

Heltebrake called 911 after he was hijacked by Dorner that day. However, authorities say they’d already spotted Dorner. A panel of retired judges awarded the $1 million reward to other people.

A judge last week refused Heltebrake’s request to stall the payout.

Man arrested at LAX with alleged smoke grenade admits making false statements on customs forms

Erika Aguilar — Tue, 14 May 2013 06:00:26 -0700

Items found in Yongda Huang Harris luggage at LAX; Credit: NBCLA

The man arrested at Los Angeles International Airport last year for allegedly checking luggage with a smoke grenade in it was released from federal prison Monday on lesser charges, but the conditions of his probation are still in dispute.

Yongda Huang Harris, 27, was arrested in October for allegedly having a smoke grenade in his checked luggage, along with various other weapons, when he arrived at LAX on a layover while traveling from Japan to Boston.

Federal prosecutors in November dropped the charge linked to the alleged smoke grenade, which was transporting hazardous material, and instead charged Harris with making false statements on customs declaration forms.

Harris has accepted a plea bargain that places him on federal probation for five years, but he’s fighting some of the terms of his probation.

Federal prosecutor Melissa Mills told the court the government doesn’t want Harris to use certain computer tools without getting permission from his probation officer first. The list includes digital storage devices, encryption or concealing software, and compatible computer devices.

Harris’s defense attorney Matthew Lombard, called them burdensome in court Monday. But he fought more vigorously against the prosecutor’s request for Harris to stay away from children and minors.

Lombard said in court that prosecutors have spent a lot of time and money investigating his client, “looking for any potential issue they could find.”

While searching Harris’ laptop, authorities found several Japanese anime movies depicting sexual violence against females. Mills argued the images were supposed to be children. Lombard countered they could be adults.

“There’s no evidence that looking at anime will make you a violent sexual predator,” Lombard told the judge. He also argued his client has never been charged or convicted of a sexual offense and that the restrictions prosecutors seek would treat him as such.

Mills defended the terms of the probation.

“He has moved from thoughts to action,” Mills said about Harris obtaining the videos.

Judge Christina Snyder said she was disinclined to order the restriction on Harris, but said maybe there was a more reasonable way to tailor the condition so he can work.

“I think I’m being persuaded that the no contact with children is not necessary here,” she said. Snyder added that some of the prosecutor's request is justified, calling Harris' behavior "deeply concerning."

Lombard introduced a complicated question in court: Is anime child porn? Can it be considered child erotica?

“I’m not sure I can say whether anime is child porn or not,” Snyder said.

The judge asked for Boston federal probation officials to submit a written report weighing in on the probation restrictions the prosecutors are asking for.

In the meantime, Harris, will be released after spending six months in prison. He has been ordered to report to Boston probation officers by Thursday afternoon. That is where his family lives.

Harris will not be allowed to use computers of any kind for any reason until his next June court date when prosecutors, his defense attorney and Boston federal probation officers will meet to see if they can come up with “tailored” restrictions.

Three of Harris’ family members attended the hearing, including his mother, who declined to comment.