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Woman Previously Charged in Fatal Rancho Mirage DUI Crash Arrested Again

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A 66-year-old Palm Desert woman already facing second-degree murder and DUI charges for a 2016 crash that fatally injured her passenger was arrested over the weekend on suspicion of misdemeanor DUI following a non-injury wreck in Indian Wells.

Shelley Ann Bunn was at the wheel of a black Nissan SUV that crashed into a parked vehicle at 12:42 a.m. Saturday inside a private parking lot in the 75000 block of Highway 111, according to sheriff’s Sgt. Marcus Abbe. She was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor DUI and released the same day on $3,500 bail, according to county jail records.

In the earlier case, Bunn is facing charges stemming from an Oct. 13, 2016, crash at the Sunrise Country Club in Rancho Mirage. Bunn is accused of crashing into the back of a parked trailer, causing ultimately fatal injuries to John Boyd, who was riding in the front passenger seat. He died 10 days later at Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs from “multiple blunt impact injuries,” according to a declaration in support of an arrest warrant.

Bunn, who suffered broken bones, told sheriff’s deputies after the crash that she had consumed about eight beers throughout the day, according to court documents, which state that her blood-alcohol content was measured at .11 — the legal limit is .08.

Bunn was charged with murder because of a previous DUI case on her record. She pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor drunken driving charge in 2007 in a Palm Springs case, and received three years probation, court records show.

Bunn posted $250,000 bail last year and was released from custody. Her next court hearing involving the fatal crash case is Jan. 15, when she’s due in an Indio courtroom for a preliminary hearing, which will determine whether there is enough evidence to bound her over for trial.

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December Retrial Set for Pomona Officers Charged in County Fair Arrest

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Federal prosecutors Monday announced plans to retry two Pomona police officers whose trial on charges stemming from the violent arrest of a teenage boy at the Los Angeles County Fair ended with jurors deadlocked 11-1 in favor of guilt on all counts.

The new trial for Officers Chad Jensen and Prince Hutchinson is scheduled to begin Dec. 11 in Los Angeles federal court.

“We’re ready to go,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Frances Lewis told U.S. District Judge Philip Gutierrez.

Like the first trial that ended last month, the retrial is expected to last about a week.

Jensen, 51, is charged with deprivation of rights under color of law for allegedly beating then-16-year-old Christian Aguilar in September 2015. Both Jensen and Hutchinson, 32, are charged with preparing false reports that attempted to justify the use of force. The officers are also charged with obstruction of justice for allegedly giving false testimony during state court proceedings regarding criminal charges against Aguilar.

Prosecutors allege the officers gave false testimony similar to that in their written reports and created the false impression that the teen posed a physical threat to other officers before Jensen assaulted him.

If found guilty of all charges, Jensen and Hutchinson face the possibility of several years behind bars.

Two years ago, the city of Pomona paid Aguilar $500,000 to settle a civil lawsuit over the encounter at the Pomona Fairplex.

A third Pomona officer, Michael Neaderbaomer, is charged separately for attempting to dissuade Aguilar’s family from pursuing an internal investigation into the arrest. He faces trial in January.

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Woman Charged With Murder for Bicyclist’s Death

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A 61-year-old woman accused of using her station wagon to intentionally strike a bicyclist in Claremont last weekend was charged Tuesday with murder.

Sandra Marie Wicksted of Claremont was due to be arraigned at the Pomona courthouse Tuesday afternoon in connection with the death of Leslie Pray, 54, of Claremont.

Wicksted is also charged with four counts of attempted murder involving four other people who escaped injury, along with an allegation that she personally used a deadly and dangerous weapon — a vehicle.

Other cyclists had called police to report that a driver was trying to run them down before Pray was struck, according to broadcast reports.

Police said Pray died at the scene of the collision with Wicksted’s 1996 Mercury Tracer, which was reported at 11:37 a.m. Saturday in the 1900 block of Mills Avenue.

“Based on the investigation, it was determined that the driver intended to strike the bicyclist,” Claremont police Lt. Eric Huizar said.

Wicksted, who was treated at a hospital for unspecified injuries, was arrested just after 12:05 p.m. and has remained in custody since then in lieu of $2 million bail, according to jail records.

Prosecutors were expected to ask that her bail be increased to $6.1 million.

More than 100 people attended a candlelight vigil Monday night at the scene of the crash, where a so-called “ghost bike” painted white was left at the location as a memorial to Pray. Ghost bikes have become common markers of sites where bicyclists died in vehicle collisions.

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Two Charged In Killing Of 69-Year-Old Long Beach Man

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Two young men were charged Tuesday with murder and other counts in connection with a drive-by shooting last month in Long Beach that left a 69-year-old great-grandfather dead.

Rhyan Burrell, 20, of Lynwood, and Terrel Warren, 23, of Long Beach, are scheduled to be arraigned Nov. 19 in a Long Beach courtroom in connection with the Oct. 9 killing of Jose Corrales, who was slain as he watered his lawn in the 1900 block of Canal Avenue, near Pacific Coast Highway.

The murder charge includes the special circumstance allegations of murder while lying in wait, murder to further the activities of a criminal street gang and murder by discharging a firearm from a motor vehicle, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

Prosecutors will decide later whether to seek the death penalty against the two.

Burrell and Warren are also facing one count each of shooting at an occupied motor vehicle and unlawful firearm activity and six counts each of attempted murder.

The two are also facing gang allegations, and Warren is facing allegations that he personally and intentionally discharged a handgun.

Corrales — who was shot at least once in the upper body — was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

“Based on the preliminary investigation, detectives learned the victim was outside a residence with a group of male subjects when (someone in) a light-colored sedan containing three to four subjects opened fire,” according to a police statement.

Detectives subsequently learned another man in a nearby vehicle was also struck by gunfire and took himself to a hospital.

Burrell and Warren were arrested last Friday by Long Beach police.

“Detectives have determined this murder is gang-motivated and believe the murder may be correlated to an altercation which occurred earlier that afternoon at Cabrillo High School,” according to a police statement.

Three firearms and ammunition were recovered during the warrant search and were submitted to the Long Beach Police Department’s crime lab for forensic analysis. A vehicle believed to have been involved in the case was impounded, police said.

According to news reports, Corrales was a family patriarch with 17 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Rebecca Rodriguez, one of Corrales’ five daughters, told NBC4 her father had been with several of his grandchildren who were visiting him and that the kids ran when they heard the gunfire.

“When they turned around, he was on the ground,” Rodriguez said, adding that her father was a devoted husband who would drive his wife Maria to daily kidney dialysis treatments.

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Murder Charge for Driver in Death of Bicycle-Riding Costa Mesa Fire Captain

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A 25-year-old Mission Viejo man was charged Tuesday with murder for allegedly driving under the influence of drugs and colliding with an off-duty Costa Mesa fire captain who was bicycling in Mission Viejo on Saturday.

Stephen Taylor Scarpa is accused of killing Capt. Mike Kreza, who died of his injuries on Monday morning.

Typically, a deadly collision for a defendant without a prior DUI conviction would lead to a gross vehicular manslaughter charge, but prosecutors can upgrade the charge if the motorist has been given a specific admonition on the dangers of drinking and driving that leads to a death.

Scarpa faces up to 15 years to life in prison if convicted of second-degree murder. A gross vehicular manslaughter conviction does not carry a life sentence.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Dan Feldman declined to comment on why prosecutors elected for the murder charge at this time.

Scarpa was driving a van east on Alicia Parkway near Via Burgos when he allegedly struck the 18-year veteran fire captain about 8 a.m. Saturday, according to Carrie Braun of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

Kreza, who was rushed to an area hospital in critical condition, was pronounced dead Monday morning.

Sheriff’s investigators found several prescription medications in the van, Braun said.

“Our brother, Mike Kreza, passed away early this morning. Words alone cannot describe the immeasurable heartache felt by his friends & family, including his fire family,” according to a Twitter post from the Costa Mesa Fire Department. “RIP brother Mike, we love you!”

The twitter feed later added that the department “is overwhelmed with the love & support from our collective communities.”

Kreza’s body was escorted in a solemn procession Monday morning from Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo to the Orange County coroner’s office.

Kreza, a married father of three daughters, was training for a triathlon when he was struck by the van.

A GoFundMe page set up to raise money for the family had raised about $108,000 as of midday Monday, well over the $25,000 goal. The money is designated for the Costa Mesa Firefighters Association’s Widows and Orphans Fund.

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Deadly Driver Targeted Bike Riders in Claremont? She’s Charged With Murder

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A 61-year-old woman accused of using her station wagon to intentionally strike a bicyclist in Claremont last weekend was charged Tuesday with murder.

Sandra Marie Wicksted of Claremont is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday at the Pomona courthouse in connection with the death of Leslie Pray, 54, of Claremont.

Wicksted is also charged with four counts of attempted murder involving four other people who escaped injury, along with an allegation that she personally used a deadly and dangerous weapon — a vehicle.

Other cyclists had called police to report that a driver was trying to run them down before Pray was struck, according to broadcast reports.

Police said Pray died at the scene of the collision with Wicksted’s 1996 Mercury Tracer, which was reported at 11:37 a.m. Saturday in the 1900 block of Mills Avenue.

“Based on the investigation, it was determined that the driver intended to strike the bicyclist,” Claremont Police Lt. Eric Huizar said.

Wicksted, who was treated at a hospital for unspecified injuries, was arrested just after 12:05 p.m. and has remained in custody since then in lieu of $2 million bail, according to jail records.

Prosecutors were expected to ask that her bail be increased to $6.1 million.

More than 100 people attended a candlelight vigil Monday night at the scene of the crash, where a so-called “ghost bike” painted white was left at the location as a memorial to Pray. Ghost bikes have become common markers of sites where bicyclists have died in vehicle collisions.

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Woman Charged With Murder In Bicyclist’s Death

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A 61-year-old woman accused of using her station wagon to intentionally strike a bicyclist in Claremont last weekend was charged Tuesday with murder.

Sandra Marie Wicksted of Claremont is scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday at the Pomona courthouse in connection with the death of Leslie Pray, 54, of Claremont.

Wicksted is also charged with four counts of attempted murder for allegedly trying to run over four people before the crash that killed Pray, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

The charges include allegations that she personally used a deadly and dangerous weapon — a vehicle — and that she committed the crimes willfully, deliberately and with premeditation.

Other cyclists had called police to report that a driver was trying to run them down before Pray was struck, according to broadcast reports.

Police said Pray died at the scene of the collision with Wicksted’s 1996 Mercury Tracer, which was reported at 11:37 a.m. Saturday in the 1900 block of Mills Avenue.

“Based on the investigation, it was determined that the driver intended to strike the bicyclist,” Claremont Police Lt. Eric Huizar said.

Wicksted, who was treated at a hospital for unspecified injuries, was arrested just after 12:05 p.m. and has remained in custody since then in lieu of $2 million bail, according to jail records.

Prosecutors were expected to ask that her bail be increased to $6.1 million.

If convicted as charged, Wicksted could face a maximum of life in state prison, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

More than 100 people attended a candlelight vigil Monday night at the scene of the crash, where a so-called “ghost bike” painted white was left at the location as a memorial to Pray. Ghost bikes have become common markers of sites where bicyclists have died in vehicle collisions.

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Hearing Set for Man Charged in Trader Joe’s Fatal Hostage Incident

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A man who is charged with murder for a gunbattle that resulted in a Trader Joe’s assistant manager being shot to death by Los Angeles police, along with a subsequent standoff inside the Silver Lake store where he allegedly took more than a dozen people hostage is due in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom Wednesday.

Gene Evin Atkins, 28, is set to be arraigned in connection with the July 21 killing of Melyda Maricela Corado, 27, who was shot to death by Los Angeles police.

He is also facing 50 other counts, including attempted murder of a police officer, attempted murder, assault on a peace officer with a semi-automatic firearm, false imprisonment by violence and kidnapping, second-degree robbery, attempted carjacking, assault with a firearm, mayhem and fleeing a pursuing police officer’s vehicle while driving recklessly.

Atkins was arrested the same day upon surrendering to SWAT officers after about three hours of negotiations, authorities said. He has remained behind bars since then.

Los Angeles police Chief Michel Moore confirmed July 24 that the bullet that killed Corado was fired by a police officer, not Atkins.

“This is a heartbreaking reminder of the split-second decisions that officers must make every day,” an emotional Moore said during a news conference. “And it is also a sobering reminder of the destruction a lone individual with a handgun can create.”

Even though he did not shoot Corado, Atkins was charged with her killing under the theory that he allegedly set off the chain of events that led to her death.

Atkins was suspected of shooting his 76-year-old grandmother and his 17-year-old girlfriend in South Los Angeles, kidnapping the teen and crashing a car into a light pole in front of the Trader Joe’s market in the 2700 block of Hyperion Avenue at the end of a police chase and fleeing inside, allegedly while exchanging gunfire with pursuing officers.

“As Atkins exited his vehicle, witnesses reported they observed Atkins shoot at the officers. The officers exited their vehicle and returned fire as Atkins ran towards the entrance of Trader Joe’s,” Moore told reporters.

The police chief said the two officers — one a six-year veteran, the other a two-year veteran — fired a total of eight shots in return. One of them struck Atkins in the left arm, but he continued running inside. Another struck Corado, traveling through her arm and into her body, Moore said. The woman managed to stumble back inside the store after being shot, collapsing behind the manager’s station.

She was carried out of the business by others in the store, but paramedics were unable to save her.

Moore — who described the officers as being “devastated” and extended his condolences to the victim’s family — said he believes the officers did “what they needed to do in order to defend the people of Los Angeles and defend the people in that store and defend themselves.”

The police chief said Atkins fired additional rounds at police from inside the store, but officers did not return fire.

Several store employees and customers were able to escape from the store, while others were released by Atkins at various times before he surrendered, according to the police chief.

Atkins could face a potential life prison sentence if convicted as charged, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

Relatives of Corado’s family filed claims for damages last month against the Los Angeles Police Department. The claims — precursors to a lawsuit — allege civil rights violations, battery, excessive force, negligence, infliction of emotional distress, failure to adequately train officers and conspiracy to cover up wrongful misconduct.

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Woman Charged With Murder In Bicyclist’s Death Due in Court

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Arraignment on murder and other charges is scheduled Wednesday for a 61-year-old woman accused of using her station wagon to intentionally strike a bicyclist in Claremont and trying to run down several others.

Sandra Marie Wicksted of Claremont is due at the Pomona courthouse to enter a plea to a murder charge stemming from the death last Saturday of Leslie Pray, 54, of Claremont.

Wicksted is also charged with four counts of attempted murder for allegedly trying to run down four other cyclists, who escaped injury, before the collision that killed Pray.

The charges include allegations that she personally used a deadly and dangerous weapon — a vehicle — and that she committed the crimes willfully, deliberately and with premeditation. If convicted as charged, Wicksted could face a maximum of life in state prison, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

Pray died at the scene of the collision with Wicksted’s 1996 Mercury Tracer, which was reported at 11:37 a.m. Saturday in the 1900 block of Mills Avenue.

“Based on the investigation, it was determined that the driver intended to strike the bicyclist,” Claremont Police Lt. Eric Huizar said.

Wicksted, who was treated at a hospital for unspecified injuries, was arrested just after 12:05 p.m. and has remained in custody since then in lieu of $2 million bail, according to jail records. Prosecutors are expected to ask that her bail be increased to $6.1 million.

More than 100 people attended a candlelight vigil Monday night at the scene of the crash, where a so-called “ghost bike” painted white was left at the location as a memorial to Pray. Ghost bikes have become common markers of sites where bicyclists have died in vehicle collisions.

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Man Charged With Killing Parents At Diamond Bar Home

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A 33-year-old man was charged Wednesday with murdering his parents, who were found dead along with their dog after a fire last week at their Diamond Bar home.

Ryan Michael Venti, 33, is scheduled to be arraigned later Wednesday in a Pomona courtroom on two counts of murder stemming from the deaths of his mother, Linda, 68, and his father, John, 74, last Friday, along with one count each of arson of an inhabited structure or property and cruelty to an animal.

The murder charges include the special circumstance allegation of multiple murders.

Prosecutors will decide later whether to seek the death penalty against Venti, who was arrested about 8 p.m. Monday by Los Angeles County sheriff’s investigators.

The badly burned bodies of Venti’s parents were found in a bedroom, along with the charred remains of their dog, after the blaze, which was reported about 5 a.m. Nov. 2 in the 3600 block of Crooked Creek Drive, authorities said.

It took firefighters about 40 minutes to knock down the flames.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Lt. John Corina said earlier this week that investigators were working to determine if the victims were killed before the fire.

Los Angeles County Fire Department Capt. Tony Imbrenda said there were no working smoke detectors inside the home.

On Monday night, residents in the neighborhood “called 911 and reported seeing suspect Ryan Venti at the home of his parents on Crooked Creek Drive,” according to a statement from the Sheriff’s Department.

“Deputies responded and were able to take the suspect into custody,” the statement said. “From the condition of the suspect it appears that he (had) been hiding in the surrounding hills and brush in an attempt to avoid capture.”

A motive for the crime was not known, according to the sheriff’s department.

Anyone with information about the case was urged to contact the sheriff’s department’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers by dialing (800) 222-8477.

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Arraignment Delayed for Woman Charged With Bicyclist’s Killing

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Arraignment was postponed Wednesday until Friday for a 61-year-old woman accused of using her station wagon to intentionally strike a bicyclist in Claremont and trying to run down several others.

Sandra Marie Wicksted of Claremont is charged with murder in connection with last Saturday’s death of Leslie Pray, 54, of Claremont.

Wicksted is also charged with four counts of attempted murder for allegedly trying to run down four other cyclists, who escaped injury, before the collision that killed Pray.

The charges include allegations that she personally used a deadly and dangerous weapon — a vehicle — and that she committed the crimes willfully, deliberately and with premeditation. If convicted as charged, Wicksted could face a maximum of life in state prison, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

Pray died at the scene of the collision with Wicksted’s 1996 Mercury Tracer, which was reported at 11:37 a.m. Saturday in the 1900 block of Mills Avenue.

“Based on the investigation, it was determined that the driver intended to strike the bicyclist,” Claremont Police Lt. Eric Huizar said.

Wicksted, who was treated at a hospital for unspecified injuries, was arrested just after 12:05 p.m. and has remained in custody since then, according to jail records.

More than 100 people attended a candlelight vigil Monday night at the scene of the crash, where a so-called “ghost bike” painted white was left at the location as a memorial to Pray. Ghost bikes have become common markers of sites where bicyclists have died in vehicle collisions.

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Man Charged With Killing Parents At Diamond Bar Home

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A 33-year-old man was charged Wednesday with murdering his parents, who were found dead along with their dog after a fire last week at their Diamond Bar home.

Ryan Michael Venti was ordered held without bail while awaiting arraignment Dec. 6 in a Pomona courtroom on two counts of murder stemming from the deaths of his mother, Linda, 68, and his father, John, 74, last Friday, along with one count each of arson of an inhabited structure or property and cruelty to an animal.

The murder charges include the special circumstance allegation of multiple murders.

Prosecutors will decide later whether to seek the death penalty against Venti, who was arrested about 8 p.m. Monday by Los Angeles County sheriff’s investigators.

The badly burned bodies of Venti’s parents were found in a bedroom, along with the charred remains of their dog, after the blaze, which was reported about 5 a.m. Nov. 2 in the 3600 block of Crooked Creek Drive, authorities said.

It took firefighters about 40 minutes to knock down the flames.

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Lt. John Corina said earlier this week that investigators were working to determine if the victims were killed before the fire. Los Angeles County Fire Department Capt. Tony Imbrenda said there were no working smoke detectors inside the home.

On Monday night, residents in the neighborhood “called 911 and reported seeing suspect Ryan Venti at the home of his parents on Crooked Creek Drive,” according to a statement from the Sheriff’s Department.

“Deputies responded and were able to take the suspect into custody,” the statement said. “From the condition of the suspect it appears that he (had) been hiding in the surrounding hills and brush in an attempt to avoid capture.”

A motive for the crime was not known, according to the sheriff’s department.

Anyone with information about the case was urged to contact the sheriff’s department’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers by dialing (800) 222-8477.

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Coachella Man Charged In Valley Commercial Burglary Spree

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A Coachella man accused in a series of commercial burglaries throughout the desert was charged with seven felonies Wednesday, including burglary, assault and vandalism.

Christopher Nava, 21, is accused in burglaries out of La Quinta, Palm Desert and Bermuda Dunes, which occurred between July and November, according to a criminal complaint filed Wednesday.

After obtaining a suspect and vehicle description, investigators arrested Nava on Saturday in Coachella, while sheriff’s deputies say a second unidentified suspect remains at large.

A declaration in support of increased bail alleges that Nava admitted to “committing about 20 smash and grab commercial burglaries within a two-week period,” though he was only charged in three burglaries Wednesday. He is also charged with assault with a semi-automatic firearm for allegedly pistol-whipping a man, and three counts of felony vandalism.

Sheriff’s deputies also “recovered property stolen during the burglaries” following a search warrant service at Nava’s home.

Nava, who’s being held in lieu of $200,000 bail, pleaded not guilty to all charges Wednesday afternoon and is slated to return to court Nov. 16 for a felony settlement conference.

The outstanding suspect was described as “an unknown race male,” about 5-feet-6, with a medium build.

Anyone with information regarding the outstanding suspect or the burglaries was asked to call Investigator Ortega at the Thermal sheriff’s station at (760) 863-8990 or call Crime Stoppers at (760) 341-7867.

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Man Charged in Shooting Death of Trader Joe’s Employee to Act as Own Attorney

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A man accused of triggering a gunbattle that resulted in a Trader Joe’s assistant manager being shot to death by Los Angeles police, and a subsequent standoff inside the Silver Lake store where he allegedly took more than a dozen people hostage, will be allowed to act as his own attorney, a judge ruled Wednesday.

During a late-afternoon court session, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Gustavo Sztraicher granted Gene Evin Atkins’ request to represent himself on murder and other charges after warning the 28-year-old defendant that it was, in his opinion, “almost always an unwise decision to represent yourself” and that the case against him was being handled by an experienced criminal prosecutor, Deputy District Attorney Tannaz Mokayef.

Atkins — who could face life in prison if convicted as charged — told the judge that he understood and wanted to go forward defending himself.

He remains jailed in lieu of $15.1 million bail while awaiting arraignment Dec. 17.

The ruling came hours after the defendant — who’s also accused of shooting his grandmother and his 17-year-old girlfriend — told the judge, “I would like to fire my attorney.”

In addition to the murder count stemming from the July 21 killing of Melyda Maricela Corado, Atkins is facing 50 other counts, including attempted murder of a police officer, attempted murder, assault on a peace officer with a semi-automatic firearm, false imprisonment by violence and kidnapping, second-degree robbery, attempted carjacking, assault with a firearm, mayhem, and fleeing a pursuing police officer’s vehicle while driving recklessly.

Los Angeles police Chief Michel Moore confirmed July 24 that the bullet that killed Corado was fired by a police officer, not Atkins, who surrendered to SWAT officers after about three hours of negotiations.

“This is a heartbreaking reminder of the split-second decisions that officers must make every day,” an emotional Moore said then. “And it is also a sobering reminder of the destruction a lone individual with a handgun can create.”

Even though he did not shoot Corado, Atkins was charged with her killing under the theory that he set off the chain of events that led to the 27-year-old woman’s death.

In the hours leading up to the standoff, Atkins allegedly shot his 76-year-old grandmother and his 17-year-old girlfriend in South Los Angeles. He’s accused of kidnapping the teen and forcing her into his grandmother’s car, which he crashed into a light pole in front of the Trader Joe’s market in the 2700 block of Hyperion Avenue at the end of a police chase and fled inside, while exchanging gunfire with pursuing officers.

“As Atkins exited his vehicle, witnesses reported they observed Atkins shoot at the officers. The officers exited their vehicle and returned fire as Atkins ran towards the entrance of Trader Joe’s,” Moore told reporters.

The police chief said the two officers — one a six-year veteran, the other a two-year veteran — fired a total of eight shots in return. One of them struck Atkins in the left arm, but he continued running inside. Another struck Corado, traveling through her arm and into her body, Moore said. The woman managed to stumble back inside the store after being shot, collapsing behind the manager’s station.

She was carried out of the business by others in the store, but paramedics were unable to save her.

Moore — who described the officers as being “devastated” — said he believes they did “what they needed to do in order to defend the people of Los Angeles and defend the people in that store and defend themselves.”

The police chief said Atkins fired additional rounds at police from inside the store, but officers did not return fire.

Several store employees and customers were able to escape from the store, while others were released by Atkins at various times before he surrendered, according to the police chief.

Relatives of Corado’s family filed claims for damages last month against the Los Angeles Police Department. Those claims — precursors to a lawsuit — allege civil rights violations, battery, excessive force, negligence, infliction of emotional distress, failure to adequately train officers and conspiracy to cover up wrongful misconduct.

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Felon Charged with Stealing Air-Conditioner Parts from Norco School

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Grand theft charges were filed Thursday against a convicted felon accused of damaging air-conditioning units from which he allegedly stole copper fittings at Norco High School.

Timothy Wayne Arnett, 45, of Corona was arrested and booked Tuesday into the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning, where he’s being held in lieu of $15,000 bail.

Arnett was slated to make his initial court appearance Thursday afternoon at the Riverside Hall of Justice.

The defendant allegedly accessed the Norco High campus the night of Oct. 20 and tore out copper drainage lines attached to two industrial air-conditioners, rendering the units inoperable.

Sheriff’s deputies were alerted, and an investigation was initiated. Four nights later, Arnett allegedly returned and did the same thing again to other A/C units on campus, according to sheriff’s investigators, who said security cameras captured the suspect coming and going on both occasions.

While conducting an unrelated narcotics investigation, sheriff’s officials identified Arnett as the alleged perpetrator of the thefts, and he was arrested without incident in Norco.

The defendant allegedly wanted the copper lines for their metal content, for which he could receive cash if they were sold to junk dealers willing to take them.

State law requires dealers to record all transactions and question where items originated. The law imposes civil and criminal penalties on dealers who knowingly accept and pay for stolen property.

According to court records, Arnett has prior convictions for receiving a stolen vehicle, possession of controlled substances and grand theft.

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Four Charged in Alleged Real Estate Fraud Scheme

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A woman previously convicted of a real estate fraud scheme is now charged, along with her husband and two others, in a similar scam that resulted in the theft of more than $1.4 million over a two-year period, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced Thursday.

Angela Grace Cotton, 46, her husband, Lawrence Edward Cotton, 52, Denaysha Coleman, 26, and Latrese Gevon Breaux, 46, pleaded not guilty this week to 28 felony counts, including identity theft, forgery, mortgage fraud, grand theft of personal property, attempted grand theft of personal property, money laundering and use of a counterfeit seal.

Angela Cotton is also facing a felony count of possession of a firearm by a felon with four prior convictions, while her husband is charged with an additional count of receiving stolen property exceeding $950 in value.

The charges include sentence-enhancing allegations of fraud and embezzlement resulting in the loss of more than $500,000, taking property exceeding $1.3 million in value and theft of more than $100,000.

Angela Cotton, with help from her co-defendants, used fictitious escrow and title companies she had created to deceive a lending company into believing it was funding two legitimate real estate transactions, Deputy District Attorney Daniel Kinney alleged.

The group is accused of stealing the identities of nine people to facilitate the fictitious real estate sales and creating fraudulent websites, emails and phone networks, along with fake employment documentation and bank account statements from a non-existent financial institution for the buyer, according to Kinney.

The properties for which the group received loans were located in Los Angeles and La Canada Flintridge and had not been listed for sale, the prosecutor said.

Angela Cotton was convicted in March 2010 in federal court for a similar real estate fraud scheme, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

She and her husband — who are due back in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom Dec. 6 — could face up to 22 years and eight months in state prison if convicted as charged, while Coleman and Breaux could face a maximum of 22 years behind bars.

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Man Charged With Fourth Killing

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A man charged in a series of attacks in Los Angeles and Santa Monica that left four men dead and eight other people injured — some of whom were homeless — pleaded not guilty Thursday to capital murder and other charges, but indicated that he may want to settle his case without going to trial.

Ramon Escobar, 47, is charged with four counts of murder, eight counts of attempted murder and six counts of second-degree robbery stemming from the alleged crime spree between Sept. 8 and Sept. 24.

Shortly after one of Escobar’s attorneys, Deputy Alternate Public Defender Rick Sternfeld, entered the not guilty plea on his behalf, the defendant addressed Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Gustavo Sztraicher.

“Your honor, can I take a plea right now?” he said in a barely audible voice.

“No, not at this time,” the judge responded.

When asked if he waived his right to a speedy hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to require him to stand trial, Escobar told the judge, “Well, I’m not pleading not guilty. That’s not the route that I’m taking right now.”

After the judge gave Escobar time to consult with his attorneys, the defendant eventually agreed that his next court date could be set for Jan. 16.

Following the hearing, Sternfeld declined to comment on his client’s remarks.

The murder charges include the special circumstance allegations of multiple murders and murder during a robbery, but prosecutors have yet to decide whether to seek the death penalty against Escobar, who remains jailed without bail.

Escobar was initially charged with a dozen felony counts, but prosecutors filed a half-dozen new charges, including a new murder count, in an amended complaint lodged just before his arraignment.

The newest murder charge stems from a Sept. 24 attack in Santa Monica on Jorge Martinez, 63. Escobar was initially charged with attempted murder in connection with that crime, but the charge was amended after Martinez died less than a week later.

He is also charged with the murders of two homeless men — Kelvin Williams, 59, and Branden Ridout, 24 — in downtown Los Angeles on Sept. 16, along with the Sept. 20 beating death of Steven Cruze Jr., 39, of San Gabriel, under the Santa Monica Pier.

The attempted murder charges stem from attacks on eight other people, including two women, between Sept. 9 and Sept. 22.

The criminal complaint alleges that Escobar, who was arrested by Los Angeles police in Santa Monica on Sept. 24, used a baseball bat or blunt object during all but two of the crimes.

Detectives subsequently searched Escobar’s SUV and seized a wooden baseball bat believed to have been used in the Sept. 16 attacks in downtown Los Angeles, and Santa Monica police found a pair of bolt cutters believed to have been in one of the attacks.

Los Angeles Police Department Capt. Billy Hayes said the attacks did not appear to be based on any hatred toward homeless people.

“I think it was a crime of opportunity,” he said. “… It appears the motive in most of these cases was robbery.”

The police captain said Escobar was homeless himself, having recently arrived in the area from Texas in a 2004 black Honda CRV. He said Escobar arrived in the Southland on Sept. 5, less than a week before the attacks began.

Authorities said in September that Escobar was a person of interest in the disappearances in Houston of his aunt and uncle, Rogelio and Dina Escobar. Both went missing in late August, and police suspect foul play. Hayes said Escobar was questioned by police in Texas on Aug. 30, “and shortly after that it appears he fled the state of Texas.”

Escobar served five years in prison from 1995 to 2000 in Texas for some type of burglary, and has subsequent arrests in 2017 and earlier this year on suspicion of assault and criminal trespassing, Hayes said.

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Man Charged With Fourth Killing; Signals He Wants to Avoid a Trial

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A man charged in a series of attacks in Los Angeles and Santa Monica that left four men dead and eight other people injured — some of whom were homeless — pleaded not guilty Thursday to capital murder and other charges, and indicated that he may want to settle his case without going to trial.

Ramon Escobar, 47, is charged with four counts of murder, eight counts of attempted murder and six counts of second-degree robbery stemming from the alleged crime spree between Sept. 8 and Sept. 24.

Shortly after one of Escobar’s attorneys, Deputy Alternate Public Defender Rick Sternfeld, entered the not guilty plea on his behalf, the defendant addressed Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Gustavo Sztraicher.

“Your honor, can I take a plea right now?” he said in a barely audible voice.

“No, not at this time,” the judge responded.

When asked if he waived his right to a speedy hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to require him to stand trial, Escobar told the judge, “Well, I’m not pleading not guilty. That’s not the route that I’m taking right now.”

After the judge gave Escobar time to consult with his attorneys, the defendant eventually agreed that his next court date could be set for Jan. 16.

Following the hearing, Sternfeld declined to comment on his client’s remarks.

The murder charges include the special circumstance allegations of multiple murders and murder during a robbery, but prosecutors have yet to decide whether to seek the death penalty against Escobar, who remains jailed without bail.

Escobar was initially charged with a dozen felony counts, but prosecutors filed a half-dozen new charges, including a new murder count, in an amended complaint lodged just before his arraignment.

The newest murder charge stems from a Sept. 24 attack in Santa Monica on Jorge Martinez, 63. Escobar was initially charged with attempted murder in connection with that crime, but the charge was amended after Martinez died less than a week later.

He is also charged with the murders of two homeless men — Kelvin Williams, 59, and Branden Ridout, 24 — in downtown Los Angeles on Sept. 16, along with the Sept. 20 beating death of Steven Cruze Jr., 39, of San Gabriel, under the Santa Monica Pier.

The attempted murder charges stem from attacks on eight other people, including two women, between Sept. 9 and Sept. 22.

The criminal complaint alleges that Escobar, who was arrested by Los Angeles police in Santa Monica on Sept. 24, used a baseball bat or blunt object during all but two of the crimes.

Detectives subsequently searched Escobar’s SUV and seized a wooden baseball bat believed to have been used in the Sept. 16 attacks in downtown Los Angeles, and Santa Monica police found a pair of bolt cutters believed to have been in one of the attacks.

Los Angeles Police Department Capt. Billy Hayes said the attacks did not appear to be based on any hatred toward homeless people.

“I think it was a crime of opportunity,” he said. “… It appears the motive in most of these cases was robbery.”

The police captain said Escobar was homeless himself, having recently arrived in the area from Texas in a 2004 black Honda CRV. He said Escobar arrived in the Southland on Sept. 5, less than a week before the attacks began.

Authorities said in September that Escobar was a person of interest in the disappearances in Houston of his aunt and uncle, Rogelio and Dina Escobar. Both went missing in late August, and police suspect foul play. Hayes said Escobar was questioned by police in Texas on Aug. 30, “and shortly after that it appears he fled the state of Texas.”

Escobar served five years in prison from 1995 to 2000 in Texas for some type of burglary, and has subsequent arrests in 2017 and earlier this year on suspicion of assault and criminal trespassing, Hayes said.

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Claremont Woman Accused of Intentionally Killing Bicyclist Due in Court

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Arraignment is scheduled Friday for a 61-year-old woman accused of using her station wagon to intentionally strike a bicyclist in Claremont, killing her, and trying to run down several others.

Sandra Marie Wicksted of Claremont, who’s jailed in lieu of $2 million bail, is charged with murder in connection with last Saturday’s death of Leslie Pray, 54, of Claremont. Wicksted is also charged with four counts of attempted murder for allegedly trying to run down four other cyclists, who escaped injury, before the collision that killed Pray.

The charges include allegations that she personally used a deadly and dangerous weapon — a vehicle — and that she committed the crimes willfully, deliberately and with premeditation. If convicted as charged, Wicksted could face a maximum of life in state prison, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

Pray died at the scene of the collision with Wicksted’s 1996 Mercury Tracer, which was reported at 11:37 a.m. Saturday in the 1900 block of Mills Avenue.

“Based on the investigation, it was determined that the driver intended to strike the bicyclist,” Claremont Police Lt. Eric Huizar said.

Wicksted, who was treated at a hospital for unspecified injuries, was arrested just after 12:05 p.m. and has remained in custody since then, according to jail records.

More than 100 people attended a candlelight vigil Monday night at the scene of the crash, where a so-called “ghost bike” painted white was left at the location as a memorial to Pray. Ghost bikes have become common markers of sites where cyclists have died in vehicle collisions.

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Arraignment Delayed for Woman Charged With Bicyclist’s Killing

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A woman accused of using her station wagon to intentionally strike a bicyclist in Claremont, killing her, and trying to run down several others remains in custody while arraignment, which was rescheduled Friday for Nov. 19.

Sandra Marie Wicksted of Claremont, who’s jailed in lieu of $2 million bail, is charged with murder in connection with the death of Leslie Pray, 54, of Claremont, last weekend.

The 61-year-old defendant is also charged with four counts of attempted murder for allegedly trying to run down four other cyclists, who escaped injury, before the collision that killed Pray.

The charges include allegations that she personally used a deadly and dangerous weapon — a vehicle — and that she committed the crimes willfully, deliberately and with premeditation.

Pray died at the scene of the collision with Wicksted’s 1996 Mercury Tracer, which was reported at 11:37 a.m. last Saturday in the 1900 block of Mills Avenue.

“Based on the investigation, it was determined that the driver intended to strike the bicyclist,” Claremont police Lt. Eric Huizar said.

Wicksted, who was treated at a hospital for unspecified injuries, was arrested just after 12:05 p.m. and has remained in custody since then. If convicted as charged, she could face a maximum of life in state prison, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

More than 100 people attended a candlelight vigil Monday night at the scene of the crash, where a so-called “ghost bike” painted white was left at the location as a memorial to Pray. Ghost bikes have become common markers of sites where cyclists have died in vehicle collisions.

>> Want to read more stories like this? Get our Free Daily Newsletters Here!

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