BREAKING NEWS: No dismissals for Cameron Brown
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Pastor refused Cameron Brown's motion to dismiss the first-degree murder charge, and all the lesser offenses included in it. "I believe there should be a third trial in this case, and there will be," Pastor said.
His ruling came after Brown's attorney, Pat Harris, argued that the jury's deadlock of six in favor of second-degree murder and six for involuntary manslaughter meant Brown was acquitted of first-degree murder. Harris, who indicated his firm Geragos & Geragos will likely not remain for the third trial, also argued that "basic fairness" dictates the dismissal for his client who has remained jailed for about six years.
But Deputy District Attorney Craig Hum countered that there was no verdict, and even submitted declarations from six panelists that indicated such, and that one of them actually favored first-degree murder. Hum argued that, as far as fairness goes, it wasn't fair that he murdered 4-year-old Lauren Sarene Key, his daughter, over child support.
Lauren died after going over a Rancho Palos Verdes cliff on Nov. 8, 2000. Prosecutors believe Brown threw or pushed her while the defense claims she slipped by accident. Two juries have deadlocked between first-degree murder, second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter.
Pastor also refused to grant any kind of bail for Brown. Harris said today's rulings will be appealed.
I'll have the complete write-up later at dailybreeze.com
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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