Murder

Published on: July 10, 2009

Former NFL Steve McNair Murdered by Girlfriend WHo Then Killed Herself

Former Tennessee quarterback, Steve McNair, who was found this past Saturday shot and killed in his girlfriend’s apartment was determined to be murdered. Also found dead was Sahel Kazemi with one gunshot wound to the head.

From the very beginning, investigators were very quiet about what happened while they were waiting for results from tests completed immediately after the bodies were discovered. This morning, those same investigators announced their conclusion that McNair’s girlfriend murdered the football player and then turned the gun on herself. Top criminal defense attorneys assisted in the investigation
At a news conference, Police Chief Ronal Serpas made the announcement that Kazemi, 20, was extremely depressed over mounting personal problems. Apparently, financial problems and a recent DUI arrest contributed to the stress. But, the final straw was learning that McNair was married.

Police stated that they believe that Kazemi approached McNair while he was asleep on the couch at a rented condominium at 1:45 AM on Saturday. She raised the gun and shot him once in the left temple, then pointed the gun to his chest and shot him two more times. The final shot was to his left temple. Then she shot herself in the head after positioning herself that she would die in his lap.

The evidence pointed to McNair being asleep because it appeared he did not raise his hands to defend himself. Recent advances in forensic testing allows law enforcement to tests for Gun Shot Residue (GRS). The residue is the burnt gun power that is discharged when the gun is fired.

Published on: April 13, 2009

Phil Spector Guilty Of Murder of Lana Clarkson in Los Angeles

by Michael Kraut

After two trials and well over a week of deliberations, music producer Phil Spector was convicted of second degree murder in the Los Angeles shooting death of actress Lana Clarkson. Spector, 69, was immediately remanded into custody by Judge Larry Paul Fidler.

The producer was quiet as usual when he arrived in court. As the verdict was read he looked straight ahead and did not show any emotion. The six-man, six-woman jury began deliberating on March 26, 2009, after a 5 month trial. This was the second trial for Spector whose first trial ended in a hung jury. Alan Jackson, the prosecutor, tried both cases. The facts presented in both cases was primarily the same. This time the jury seemed to take the evidence of Phil Spector’s quirky behavior of pointing guns at the heads of woman who he dated, but refused to sleep with him, as evidence of his implied malice.

As soon as the shooting occurred back in 2003, Spector immediately hired his pre-filing Los Angeles defense attorney. The reason to do so is that a Southern California criminal defense attorney can make the difference between the police immediately gathering all of the evidence and destroying the crime scene, and a representative of the accused being able to begin the process of preparing a strong and capable defense.

Spector was convicted of second degree murder. The crime carries the a penalty of 15 years to life in prison. In order to prove this crime the prosecution must prove that at the time he shot Ms. Clarkson, he knew the dangers of his actions and then proceeded to handle the gun in a manner that was careless as to human life. The standard of proof is very high. The prosecution must prove this crime beyond a reasonable doubt. That is the highest standard there is in any court.

Published on: January 21, 2009

New Beginning for Los Angeles and Southern California Criminal Law

by Michael Kraut

As we see the beginning of a new President and Vice President for the United States, we will most likely see a new beginning for criminal prosecutions for Los Angeles DUIs and Southern California criminal law.

Already the new administration has claimed that there will be a clamp down on crime. The local administrations have also claimed that they will vigorously prosecute even minor offenses. It will not matter if you are arrested for a Los Angeles DUI, a Long Beach crime, a San Fernando robbery, or a Pasadena DUI, the police will be trying to enforce the law to the fullest. For that reason, it is important to hire a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney who has the experience and knowledge to defend you.

The new emphasis on punishment for minor offenses is going to put regular citizens in a bad position. In the past, judges and prosecutors understood that there is a clear difference between people who are law abiding but who make a mistake, and those who a repeat offenders. Now, even minor offenses are going to punished more severely.

Published on: January 5, 2009

Violent crime down in Los Angeles and Southern California in 2008

by Michael Kraut

In a shift from a decade ago, violent crime in Los Angeles has declined for 6 straight years. Police in this Southern California city are thankful in the decrease. Others worry that the decline will reversed due to the failing economy.

Los Angeles homicides decreased about 5% from the previous year. While that number is not that impressive, the total total drop of 27% in 5 years. Law enforcement claim that the decrease is due to the severe push in gang eradication.

Violent crime has also dropped for other Southern California cities. San Diego saw a slight down turn, while San Bernardino had a 7% decrease, and Orange County also saw a drop in violent crimes

Published on: December 27, 2008

Christmas Eve shooting in Los Angeles Suburb of Covina Ends with Arson

by Michael Kraut

A man dressed as Santa Claus opened fire at his relative’s house in Los Angeles suburb of Covina killing 9 people and then shooting himself after going to the house at almost midnight. The shooter then set fire to the scene starting a Los Angeles arson and then fled the scene, traveling 40 miles to Sylmar, California and then killed himself. Had the gunman lived, he could have been charged with a Los Angeles murder. In fact, he could have faced capital murder charges, also called murder with special circumstances. In California, a person that commits murder in the commission of a Los Angeles arson crime, could be charged with the death penalty. In addition, the special circumstances of the multiple murders also could lead to the death penalty. These crimes are defended by a Los Angeles homicide crime defense attorney.

Published on: December 18, 2008

Los Angeles Celebrity Car Peppered with Bullets on Southern California Highway

by Michael Kraut

A Los Angeles driver of a Bentley Continental was shot and killed late at night this week while driving on the 101 freeway near downtown Los Angeles. While shootings and murders are not uncommon in this Southern California city, violent crime rates with the use of weapons had recently been published as falling significantly.

Now that the person who committed this violent crime needs to contact a Los Angeles violent crimes defense attorney who has extensive experience on handling both Southern California murder cases, and who practices as a Southern California weapons crime defense attorney.

Now that the victim died, the person who pulled the trigger, or the person who knowingly drove the vehicle with the shooter inside, could be charged with murder. Shooting from a motor vehicle is a capital crime if convicted the person could be charged with the death penalty, also called capital murder.

The person who either committed this crime, or who helped in any way needs to contact a Los Angeles pre-filing criminal defense attorney. There may be several defenses to this crime, but the police will be looking to pin a murder case on who ever was involved. Even though violent crime has recently fallen, there are still many murders occurring in the Los Angeles area.

In fact, almost all of the serious crimes, except Los Angeles DUI charges handled by a Los Angeles DUI defense attorney, had been falling in recent years due to increase policing activities by local law enforcement. The unnamed motorist was driving his $200,000 vehicle on the highway when he crashed into the center median. Other cars stopped to render aide, but found that the driver had not been in just a simple car wreck, but had been peppered with bullets.

The crime scene that ensued snarled traffic in excess of 8 hours. Police state that a 25-year-old man was driving the luxury car on the freeway and was found unconscious and riddled with bullets. He was in critical condition and not expected to live when he was admitted to the hospital. He later died.

Police could not find any reason for the murder, nor were there any clues as to who was the shooter(s). Police are now turning to traffic and security cameras to see if the crime was caught on video. Police are clueless if this was a random shooting or a gang murder.

Published on: December 13, 2008

Actor Mark Ruffalo’s Brother Dies From Gunshot in Los Angeles

by Michael Kraut

Mark Ruffalo’s brother was found dead in his Beverly Hills apartment after a gunshot killed the young man in this Los Angeles city. Scott Ruffalo, 39, was pronounced dead at Cedars Sinai Medical Center. A woman that was wanted for questioning was initially arrested and held with no bail. According to those in the know, her Los Angeles criminal defense attorney met with the detectives from the Beverly Hill s Police Department.

After a careful review of the facts, the woman,Shaha Mishaal Adham, known to be a Saudi princess, was released from custody. Apparently, she was scared and left the location of the shooting after she went to Ruffalo’s residence to retrieve keys to her SUV.

Police learned that Ruffalo was playing “Russian Roulette” with a hand gun when the gun went off. Facts now show that the woman was not involved, but merely was a witness to a horrible crime.

Published on: November 8, 2008

Long Beach Police Investigating 5 Murders in this Southern California City

by Michael Kraut

A homeless encampment in the City of Long Beach was rocked this past weekend when 5 bodies were found murdered. The victims all were homeless people who lived or frequented underneath a busy freeway were shot to death.

One of the major problems is that the first heavy rain of the season may have washed away important evidence from the killings of the three men and two women. The area is not one of the best neighborhoods in the city. Often the area is used for narcotics sales.

Once arrested the suspect(s) will face murder charges and most likely the special circumstances of multiple murder, making the punishment potentially the death penalty. The person or persons who might have committed this crime should hire a Los Angeles Violent Crimes defense attorney. Early retention of an attorney is a must when facing these types of charges. There may viable defenses and witnesses. The longer the delay in hiring an attorney, the greater the chance the evidence will be lost or vanish.

Published on: October 14, 2008

Man Dies in Marek Fire in San Fernando Valley

by Michael Kraut

Murder charges may now result from the Marek Fire in the San Fernando Valley. Fire officials came across the charred body of a homeless man and his dog trapped in an out building after clearing the fire away from one portion of the Valley. If this fire was purposely set, then the person who set the fire may be charged by the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office with murder with special circumstances. In plain language that means that the person who set the fire could be given the death penalty.

Law Enforcement has stated that the man apparently died as a result of smoke inhalation. His body was found in a small building along with his dog. The fire has now jumped the 118 freeway and threatening thousands of homes in the area of Porter Ranch. Over 3000 homes are threatened.

What began as a suspected arson has been elevated to a murder charge if the person who started the fire is caught. A Southern California criminal defense attorney is best suited to counsel and represent any person involved with this fire. An aggressive attorney who has previously worked as a senior trial prosecutor for the District Attorney’s Office, and has prosecuted arson and murder cases previously may be in the best position to assist someone charged with these crimes

Published on: October 8, 2008

San Fernando Valley Man Murders Entire Family and then Himself

by Michael Kraut

We all know how horrible the economy has become in the last few weeks, but for one unemployed man the fear of unemployment and his huge debt resulted in his shooting and killing his entire family in the San Fernando Valley, a suburb of Los Angeles.

Karthik Rajaram, aged 45, murdered his 70 year old mother-in-law, his wife and their three sons. The police were sent to the house in Porter Ranch in the San Fernando Valley in order to conduct a wellness check. These checks often occur when someone does not show up for work or a scheduled meeting. When the police arrived they found the entire family shot to death.