Cast of South Bay legal characters in "Capozzola's Law" pitch
Anybody who knows Tony Capozzola, the high-profile Redondo Beach lawyer who doesn't have to find interesting stories because they find him, will not be surprised to hear that his law career is the basis for a new television series currently being pitched around town.
Based on a viewing of the pilot's five-minute trailer this week,"Capozzola's Law" is a dramatic series based on the colorful and eccentric veteran attorney's real-life cases and clients, which has included celebrities like Michael Jackson and sports stars including players and coaches from the Lakers, Raiders and Rams.
The trailer, filmed a few months ago on a Saturday at the Torrance Courthouse, shows clips of the pilot. In it, an actor playing Capozzola represents Sgt. Allen Roth, who plays himself nearly 20 years after Capozzola secured his acquittal on charges that the Iwo Jima war hero had sex with a female cadet at Redondo Union High School's ROTC program.
From there, the true story of how Capozzola was hired to represent former Gardena church pastor Arleigh Eugene Cox, who was convicted the day Roth was found not guilty, continues. The trailer shows how Capozzola reluctantly took on the appeal, and worked to prove Cox's attorney mishandled the case, winning Cox a reversal of his conviction and 38-year prison sentence. (Cox, 62, died not long after of the AIDS virus, which Capozzola said he contracted when he was raped in prison).
With many actors on strike, the producer asked Capozzola to find some friends to fill in. Thus, the trailer features Judge Mark Arnold as the judge, Redondo Beach City Attorney Mike Webb as the jury foreman and Torrance attorney Bruce McGregor as the prosecutor. If you look close, there are other familiar faces, including Arnold's court clerk and a long-time bailiff. (Capozzola also appears on screen as a well-wisher to the actor Capozzola).
The trailer will get a private viewing this weekend for the cast and crew at a local restaurant. Capozzola said the show's makers have a meeting next week with HBO. Stay tuned....
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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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About the Blogger
Denise Nix knew as young as grade school, when she spent every summer working on the camp newspaper, that she wanted to be a journalist. Denise has spent most of the last 12 years of her career in the courtroom. She joined the Daily Breeze in 2001, where she tracks and reports on hundreds of cases at every level of the justice system. And she's never, ever, seen a judge use a gavel.
E-mail Denise at denise.nix@dailybreeze.com.
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Tony, I wish you get the role as you are a professional at court cases and know what you are doing!
I am hoping that HBO does accept your role! It will be well worth it to them, I know.
Tony, Aunt Sarah will certainly keep you in my prayers, O.K.
Will be watching on what's going on if I can get it on my computer, O.K.
Love you always and forever
Aunt Sarah from Parker, Colorado
P.S. Lucille wrote a nice note saying that she hopes that HBO will accept it.
Hey there, Cuz!
"Capozzola's Law" is materializing! Congratulations! I am thrilled for you! All the family is happy and anxious to view it! Your sister Lucille sent me a very "excited" email!
Continued Success to you, Anthony!
God Bless You Always.
Love from Cuz Pauline