Violent Crimes

Santa Monica Man Charged With Murder

The surfsantamonica.com reported in a story on March 9, 2009 that Adel Chapel, 24 is the suspect in the death of Denise Figueroa, 22. Chapel is from Santa Monica and was already in custody for suspicion of carjacking. Police investigators also believe that he is behind several violent crimes in the San Fernando Valley. According to police, Figueroa was in a relationship with Chapel.

KTLA-TV Fox affiliate in Los Angeles received an anonymous fax that led investigators to the woman’s body. It was addressed “To whom it may concern” and signed by “someone trying to help.” Investigators say that the letter said a murder had occurred on February 28 and gave a description of the area where the car could be located. Police found Figueroa’s body in the truck of her vehicle that had been parked in the 11700 block of Hortense Street. Figueroa had been reported missing by her mother on the same day she left her North Hills home and never returned. Investigators said an autopsy was to be performed for this terrible violent crime in Los Angeles.

Homicide is a situation in which one person kills another person. If you have been arrested for, or charged with homicide in California, you may be facing very serious consequences and should hire an aggressive and skilled Los Angeles homicide defense lawyer right away.

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USC Student Murder Trial Defendant Pleads Not Guilty

The dailytrojan.com reported in a story on March 11, 2009 that Travion Ford, suspect in the September 2008 murder of USC student Bryan Frost, pleaded not guilty to one count ofmurder in Los Angeles. Ford sat in Los Angeles Superior court for his arraignment. Ford’s defense team led by Diane Butko suggested that they will need more time than 60 days to prepare for trial.

Allegations of personal use of a deadly and dangerous weapon charges in Californiaduring his arraignment were denied by Ford.

Kennes Ma, Deputy District Attorney, said, “After the preliminary hearing the case goes to trial court. This court now has jurisdiction. It’s a brand new process.”

Judith Champagne, Judge, set the pretrial hearing date for April 9. During this hearing, the prosecution and defense will swap information and motions. The law mandates that Ford has the right to be tried in court within 60 days. The prosecution and defense will continue to trade information until then.

Ma, said, “During that time we will be exchanging different types of motions and discoveries.”

Los Angeles Violent Crime Has Man Facing Death Penalty

The cbs2.com website reported in an article that a judge will be deciding the fate of Ruben Becerrada, 45 on whether to send him to death row or life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of his girlfriend. According to court reports Superior Court Judge William R. Pounders will first decide whether Becerrada should receive a new trial as his defense attorney motioned.

Becerrada was tried last September for manslaughter of his girlfriend Maria Arevalo, 22 back in the year 2000. She had accused him of raping her in the year 1999 and was also found guilty by the jury for this crime. After she went to the authorities Becerrada threatened her and told her not to go to the authorities. Arevalo’s body was found in the trunk of her car. Becerrada was also found guilty of special circumstances relating to him killing a witness to a crime and murder during a kidnapping.

Beth Silverman, Deputy District Attorney, said Becerrada had knifed and choked his ex-girlfriend to “get rid of her because she was the sole witness against him and here is nothing, nothing that is more abhorrent … than the murder of a witness … it goes to the heart of our system of justice.”

Los Angeles Shooting Suspects Arrested In Connection with Attack of USC Track Star

The dailytrojan.com reported in an account on February 11, 2009 that two suspects have been arrested in connection with the October shooting of USC star track runner Bryshon Nellum. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office named Travon Reed of Los Angeles, and Horasio Kimbrough of Inglewood, each 21 years of age, as the shooters in thisLos Angeles assault with a deadly weapon. John Flores, LAPD detective, said the suspects are believed to be in the Fruit Town Brims gang that is a wing of the Bloods.

As Nellum left Leonardo’s Night Club, he was shot several times in his hamstring and thigh in this Los Angeles violent crime.

Both suspects have been additionally charged with gun and gang enhancements that would increase their jail terms so they may possibly face 50 years to life.

Orange County Mobile Home Homicide Involving Sales Workers

The latimes.com website reported in a story on February 11, 2009 that police announced that the two workers from Stanton mobile home sales were indeed shot to death at work last week. Matthew Frances Scott, 42 a salesman for the company from Costa Mesa, and Elizabeth Palmer, 49 secretary for the company from Fountain Valley were shot in the upper torso behind a desk at work in this violent crime in California.

Jim Amormino, Orange County Sheriff’s Department spokesperson said, “We believe this is not a random act.”

Palmer’s husband, Richard Palmer, who spoke and texted with his wife just before the murder said, “It must have been just before. It was just a normal, boring day at work.”

North Hollywood Homicide, Police Looking For Suspect

The examiner.com website reported in an account on February 11, 2009 that the LAPD announced that a Gilberto Solano, 21 was shot and killed. About a quarter after 9 pm Solano was shot in the 6600 block of Laurel Canyon Boulevard. Upon arriving on the scene police officers found Solano with a gunshot to his chest. He was taken to a local hospital were he was pronounced dead shortly after. Crime scene investigators believe Solano got into a verbal argument with a rival gang member. When Solano walked away the suspect went to his car and got a gun then confronted Solano and shot him in this homicide in Los Angeles. Witnesses say the gunmen then ran to his car and fled the scene with an accomplice.

Police have no leads on either the car or suspect. They urge the public to contact them with any information on this case. Detective Richar Wheeler of the Homicide office can be reached at 818-623-4075.

Homicide is a situation in which one person kills another person. If you have been arrested for, or charged with homicide in Los Angeles you may be facing very serious consequences and should hire an aggressive and top Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer from the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf right away. There is a lot at stake, and depending upon your situation, you may be facing a life sentence, which is why you are in desperate need of accomplished and skilled legal representation. Please call [number type=”1″] for a free consultation.

White Collar Crime of Glendale Man Gets Prison Time

The dailynews.com reported in a story on February 10, 2009 that Carlos Serrano, 64 of Glendale has been sentenced by the U.S. Justice Department to 18 months prison time and ordered to repay nearly $1,000,000 in restitution. He was convicted last September of bank fraud and conspiring to commit bank fraud against First International Bank of Connecticut and Export-Import Bank of the United States. Serrano is one of 8 people who were being investigated for conspiring to commit bank fraud worth more than $80 million.

White collar crime is used a lot these days, you hear it in the news and media, yet few know what it really means. White collar crime in Los Angeles is an act of theft or other criminal conduct which violates a corporate or government officer’s fiduciary duties. Thus, if a person is acting in a position of financial trust or management for a client, a business, or a government agency, and they do something illegal, stealing the company’s funds, for example, then that person has committed a white collar crime. Thus the key element in the definition of white collar crime is that a person has been placed in a position of trust and that they have used that position to unjustly enrich themselves at the expense of the organization or client for whom they work.

The Los Angeles white collar crime defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Lawrence Wolf have a long history of successfully handling the defense of clients charged with ALL white collar crime matters in California. Please call [number type=”1″] for a free consultation.

Oxnard Assault Suspect Restrained

The Ventura County Star website reported in a story on January 20, 2009 that the heads-up action of bystanders thwarted an assault on Leonel Madrigal, 26 of Oxnard. According to witnesses, Filiberto Mata, 19 of Oxnard was intoxicated and got into a fight with Madrigal at about 9:30pm in the 1300 block of Commercial Avenue. It is said that the two men have a long standing feud, which resulted in this Ventura violent crime.

Oxnard police officer Edward reported that Mata pulled out a small gun from his waist and aimed it at Madrigal. It is not clear if the gun failed to work or if Mata was too intoxicated to handle the weapon properly. Nevertheless, he was unable to shoot it and only ejected several bullet rounds from the weapon that landed on the ground.

Madrigal was able to grapple the gun away, at which point Mata pulled out a knife. Madrigal suffered a minor cut to his hand but was able to wrestle the knife away. Once unarmed, bystanders rushed to restrain Mata until police arrived.

LA Public Asked For Help To Find Killer Of 4 Year Old

The Daily News website reported on January 15, that yet another innocent child, just 4 years old, died on the streets of Los Angeles as a result of gang violence. Roberto Lopez, Jr., 4 was walking with his sister on his way to a community center two houses down from their home when he was struck in the violent crime.

Serafin Gonzalez, the boy’s grandfather, who was inside the house said they were about to call in the kids for dinner when they heard gunshots. Gonzalez said his granddaughter came in crying “They hit Robert! They hit Robert!” Thinking it was a street fight he was not too alarmed. She then cried, “There’s blood in his mouth.” Gonzalez then ran to the boy.

Inglewood Off-duty Police Officer Shot

The Daily News website reported on January 20, 2009 that a 33 year old Inglewood police officer was shot while standing next to his car on the 500 block of West Hyde Park Boulevard sometime around midnight. According to the authorities, the gunshots came from a vehicle described as a white Toyota Camry. The unidentified officer returned fire, but it was not known if anyone in the vehicle was struck.

Police Lt. Mike McBride stated that the police officer was in “stable but guarded condition.” It is not entirely clear why the police officer was at that location, but early reports indicate that the officer was there on personal business when the vehicle pulled up and shot him. Police have no motive for the shooting and they are investigating the Los Angeles violent crime. Police urged that anyone with information please call [number type=”1″].