MB dentist to stand trial for threatening officer
Criminal threats, especially by drunk and armed suspects, are no laughing matter. But it was hard to not lose it this morning during a preliminary hearing for a Manhattan Beach dentist, Dr. Steve Oliveira, while his lawyer questioned the alleged victim, Manhattan Beach police Officer Andrew Enriquez.
The back story, which will be fleshed out in tomorrow's Daily Breeze, basically has Enriquez arresting Oliveira one evening in July after people reported seeing him walking down Pine Avenue with a gun in his pocket. Oliveira was, in his attorney's words, "dead drunk" at the time. In addition, he was allegedly driving a truck with two loaded guns in the front seat. Enriquez transported him to the station and attempted to perform five field sobriety tests and then some Breathalyzer tests. At some point, Oliveira grew angry with Enriquez, said he's gonna "pop" him and clenched his fists. Enriquez described struggling with Oliveira, then sending him to the drunk tank.
A couple days later, Oliveira showed up at the station, demanded his guns back and asked to see Enriquez. An apparent one-time supporter of the men and women in blue, Oliveira had a plaque from the Manhattan Beach Police Officers Association commemorating his generosity. He gave the plaque to a sergeant and told him: "Give it to Enriquez and tell him to shove it up his ass."
The legal question that Oliveira's attorney, Michael Leonard, wanted to explore was: Did Enriquez feel fear or threatened with great bodily harm from those words. What followed was a discussion on whether or not Enriquez, in fact, would choose to shove said plaque up his own ass - which would constitute injuring himself, but not an injury by Oliveira. That Leonard was serious and loud during the questioning only made it better. Officers in the courtroom waiting to testify in other cases were trying hard to hide their smirks.
It kind of reminded me of the silly and stupid questions that make their way from court reporters' transcripts to the Internet. Here are a few of my favorites:
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Q: Doctor, how many autopsies have you performed on dead people?
A: All my autopsies have been on dead people.
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Q: Were you acquainted with the deceased?
A: Yes, sir.
Q: Before or after he died?
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Q: ... and what did he do then?
A: He came home, and next morning he was dead.
Q: So when he woke up the next morning he was dead?
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About the Blogger
Larry Altman has covered crime in the South Bay since 1990. He's seen it all - the missing model who turned up dead in the desert, the wives found dead in trunks, the high-school coaches who get a little too close to their players. He drives his young colleagues nuts with his "I remember when" stories. He welcomes your tips and observations about the present, and you can mix in a little Lakers basketball talk if you like.
E-mail Larry at larry.altman@dailybreeze.com.
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I BELIEVE DR. OLIVEIRA IS BEING OVERLY CHARGED,BY THE MANHATTAN POLICE DEPT.DR. OLIVEIRA IS A OUTSTANDING CITIZEN TO THE COMMUNITY,NEVER BEEN IN TROUBLE BEFORE.HAS A OUTSTANDING JOB THAT HE BUILT ON HIS OWN,SO WHY ARE THEY TREATING HIM THIS WAY,THE POLICE HAS TO MUCH POWER WHEN THEY HAVE A BADGE ON.THEY SHOULD TREAT HIM WITH MORE RSPECT.DR. OLIVEIRA PUTS REVENUE INTO THE COMMUNITY.THE POLICE LIKE TO PUSH PEOPLE INTO A DEFENSIVE SITUATION SO THEY CAN ADD ON MORE CHARGES. THIS IS WRONG.
If anyone walks down the street drunk and threatening people with a gun they deserve some form of punishment regardless of how much money they contribute to the comminuty- end of story. This guy should have his dental liscence either suspended or revoked because it is clear he is unstable and irresponsible! guns are deadly but add an alcohol impaired loser to the mix & thats not a combo that should be out
This guy deserves everything he gets right now. He is pompous and has been for years. It was only a matter of time before his obnoxious behaviour caught up with him. Hope he gets thrown in the slammer for at least 6 months !
He should be punished to the full extent of the Law..Business owners in Manhattan Beach always get away with murder in that town.. Drunk with a weapon equals Felony in my book.
I am a former patient who thinks this guy is a complete pompous jerk. He treated me badly as a patient & I quit going to him for that reason. I recommend Dr. Baker in Manhattan Beach who is a very nice dentist & treats his patients well.
I am shocked James Futula response! We have raised our children to respect Police Officers not law breaking citizens. Driving around MB with loaded guns and intoxicated should never be tolerated, especially from a proffessional. This is something that happens in east LA from uneducated and unrespectful citizens.
Mr. Futula needs to look up Dr. Olivera's arrest record. This is at least the 3rd DUI he has been arrested for.
What the hell? I google Olivera to get his phone number because my tooth hurts, and I find out he walks around-- near my house-- drunk and with guns? See ya, Dr. Olivera. I'll call my kids' dentist and see who they can recommend, preferably without a criminal record.