Violent Crimes

Published on: December 11, 2008

Macaulay Culkin’s Sister Dies After Being Hit By a Car in Los Angeles

Macaulay Culkin’s sister died yesterday as a result of being hit by a car in the Los Angeles area. The driver of the car complied with California law by stopping, rendering aid, and identifying himself. Unfortunately, Dakota Culkin, the 29-year-old sister of the actor died as a result of massive head trauma at UCLA.

In many cases, the driver’s in these types of accidents are so scared and confused by what happened, they often leave the scene of the accident. This along is a crime and can result in a state prison commitment. If you, or a loved on is involved in a hit and run accident, then contact Los Angeles criminal defense attorney Michael Kraut at the Kraut Criminal & DUI Lawyers. It is important to call an attorney immediately, Often times hiring a pre-filing Los Angeles defense attorney can make all of the difference between being charged with a crime, or receiving an exoneration from the police and the prosecutors.

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 30, 2008

Keanu Reeves Denies He Used His Car To Strike a Paparazzo In Los Angeles

by Michael Kraut

Keanu Reeves took the witness stand and stated that he did not drive his 1996 Porsche into the celebrity photographer in the Los Angeles area known as Rancho Palos Verdes. The photographer is suing the famous actor as a result of what he claims are his diminished earnings as a result of his injuries.

Reeves testifies that his vehicle did not touch the photographer and that he tripped as he was walking backwards. The injuries were received back on March 19, 2007 and the lawsuit was filed back in November of 2007.

Published on: October 29, 2008

Los Angeles Adds Crime Lab Positions To Process Rape Kit Evidence held by LAPD

by Michael Kraut

The Los Angeles City Council has just concluded hearings on the huge back log of untested rape kits held by the LAPD as part of sexual crimes evidence that the force has collected. These public hearings were all over the local television stations as victims of sex crimes and their advocates shamed the LAPD for the backlog of over 7,300 untested rape kits. In many cases, the statute of limitations has past on these crimes and those that sexually assaulted their victims could not be brought to trial.

After the hearing concluded, the City Council approved the hiring of 16 additional crime lab analysts immediately to process these samples. DNA and other samples taken from rape victims have not been processed. Sarah Tofte, researcher with the US Program at Human Rights Watch, says that the problem is not just with the processing of evidence, but in the investigating and prosecution of rape cases.

Yesterday, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Police Chief William Bratton, and Councilmember Jack Weiss announced that the crime lab would be increased by 30 employees in the next six months. This, they claim, will alleviate the backlog in untested kits.

Published on: October 20, 2008

Monrovia Man Arrested in Southern California after 5-day Crime Spree

by Michael Kraut

Los Angeles County Sheriffs arrested a Monrovia man at Disneyland after his 5 day violent crime spree. The man was arrested after he traveled through 3 different counties in Southern California committing carjackings, home-invasion robberies, and an attempted murder.

The man, Anthony Hislar, was arrested after law enforcement officials informed Anaheim police of the whereabouts of the suspect. He was then located at Disneyland and taken into custody. He was at Disneyland socializing with two people he met on MySpace.

This is not Hislar’s first contact with law enforcement. Three years ago Hislar was arrested in Santa Barbara after a high speed chase with police. In 2005, he drove the wrong way on roadways. He was then arrested. Mr. Hislar needs to hire a Monrovia serious crimes attorney. Because if he is convicted of these charges, he probably will never be released from custody again.

Published on: October 16, 2008

Ryan O’Neal and Son Charged with Felony Drug Possession in Los Angeles

by Michael Kraut

Oscar nominee Ryan O’Neal and his son were arrested in Los Angeles for felony drug possession today. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office charged both with the crimes after the Sheriff’s Department conducted a probation search of the 67 year old actor’s house in Malibu.

The actual search occurred back on September 17, 2008, but formal charges were delayed until recently. The police were at the home conducting a probation search of O’Neal’s son, Redman, who also lived at the malibu residence. At the time of the search the Sheriffs found methamphetamine on Redman and in his father’s bedroom. That lead to both being charged with felony possession. It is anticipated that he will hire a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney who practices in Southern California.

Redman was previously convicted in June of this year for felony drug possession and a misdemeanor of driving under the influence. At the time his car was pulled over, law enforcement found
Last year Redman, whose mother is actress Farrah Fawcett, was arrested for driving under the influence of a controlled substance. When he was search police found that he was in possession of heroin and crystal meth. He plead guilty and was not given any jail time but was placed on probation with serious terms and conditions.