Drugs and Alcohol: April 2008 Archives

We've had a story up on dailybreeze.com updating last night's murder-suicide in Torrance, but some technical difficulties may be keeping people from seeing the whole thing. You'll find the whole story after the jump.

Please also note that some neighbors have set up a fund to help the survivors. Donations will be accepted for the Pick Family Assistance Fund, c/o Bank of America, 1880 W. Carson St. #F282, Torrance, CA 90501.

Michael McDermott, a former financial adviser who was arrested after police allegedly found drugs at his beachfront home and in his car, was in court today for a preliminary hearing, but it was postponed. McDermott's attorney, Michael Norris, said he was working with prosecutors to "informally resolve" the case - meaning their negotiating a plea deal. McDermott, 32, comes back to court May 19. Either a plea will be made or another preliminary hearing will be scheduled.

I explained a couple weeks ago why we run the sobriety checkpoint notices in advance. (The cops ask us to.)

Here's a Carson sheriff's station press release about one tonight, so you can see for yourself: (And don't drink and drive.)

  

Five years ago, I met Hank and Cecilia Alvarez when their son, Steven, was killed by a drunken driver in Gardena. I sat at the large table in the dining room of their Torrance home and spoke with them and other family members.

The 20-year-old West High School assistant wrestling coach had stepped into the Torrance school’s top job when the coach was called to duty in Iraq. He planned to marry and become a firefighter.

A drunken driver, Ricardo Pena, then 22, of Gardena ran a red light at Marine and Western avenue. Pena received 10 years in prison for Steven's death. (It must be about time for his release on parole.)

“It is still very hard because we miss (Steven) a lot,” his father said.

Sadly, six months after Steven's death, I found myself sitting at the Alvarez's table again. Their 25-year-old son, Michael, was found slain on a sidewalk in Lawndale. The case remains unsolved.

I will try to revisit that soon.

In the meantime, the Alvarez family has created a Web page on the MADD site in memory of Steven. They are inviting people to join them Sept. 27 at the Queen Mary in Long Beach for the organization’s annual "Walk Like MADD" to bring attention to the fight against drunken driving.

My original story from April 29, 2003 follows:

Los Angeles police officers will conduct a sobriety checkpoint beginning at 6 p.m. tonight on Pacific Coast Highway between Eubank and Broad avenues.

The checkpoint will run until 1 a.m. Sunday.

Here's what the LAPD said in it's release:

"Despite the tireless efforts of thousands of advocates and law enforcement officers alike, drunk driving continues to be one of America’s deadliest crimes. This operation will be conducted in an effort to reduce the incidents of injuries, death, and property damage associated with intoxicated drivers.

Harbor Division has experienced an increase in driving under the influence-related traffic collisions year-to-date compared to 2007.  The checkpoint will serve as a reminder to the Wilmington community to use designated drivers and not drink and drive. Our message is simple, if you drive drunk, you will be arrested.

Approximately 10 traffic enforcement officers (motorcycle officers), 10 collision investigation officers and one collision investigation sergeant will be involved in the checkpoint."

Unless something wacky happens tonight or Wednesday, it looks like the Lakers will get the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the NBA playoffs this weekend.

That’ll mean a face off with Carmelo Anthony, who had a run in with the law in Denver on Monday.

That's Melo’s booking mug.

A police officer pulled him over on the freeway for weaving and failing to dim his lights.

Then he failed a series of field sobriety tests and got arrested on suspicion of DUI.

Melo apologized today in a news conference.

Here's Denver's FOX TV coverage from yesterday.

Let's hope Melo has this same look on his face in two weeks after meeting up with Kobe and Pau.

It's never really been clear what happened inside a Gardena home June 22. All we know was three Gardena police officers found the house on fire and had a really difficult time getting to the family inside because of a bunch of junk in their way and the mom and dad - Nicole and William Spitzer - running around acting incoherent. They were able to get little Billy out after finding the pajama-clad 4-year-old screaming and rooted in fear in the burning kitchen.

Police and prosecutors always suspected Nicole, 34, and William, 55, were on drugs at the time. Nicole told police the fire broke out while she was cooking her son a hot dog ... at 1 a.m. In the end, they each received probation for child abuse and drug charges against them were dropped.

Billy was placed in the care of his aunt and uncle. They figured out pretty quick he needed some extra-special care. He was diagnosed with autism and began participating in various programs. His aunt, Casey Preston, sent this in an e-mail today:

Hello,

Just wanted to let everyone know, that family court (Department of Children and Family Services) has decided to send Billy home to his parents. He was returned to them on this past Tuesday, April 8th.

Hopefully, his parents will comply with court orders and continue getting him all the services he needs.

Keep praying for Billy!!! He is going to need all the help he can get.

Thanks,

Casey and Matt

 My last article on the case is after the jump.

 

 

The U.S. Forest Service just announced they are buying two pilotless drones to track down marijuana growers operating in California's remote wilderness. The two SkySeer aircrafts will operate by remote and carry camera equipment to help law enforcement locate marijuana fields. The Associated Press reports that officials believe more and more growers are being financed by Mexican drug cartels, leading to more pot crops in our forests.

 

 

We here at the Crime & Courts Blog - and at the Daily Breeze in general - are all for an end to the senseless killing that's plagued our streets, especially in recent weeks. Every murder is a tragedy, and its painful to watch the homicide rate tick, tick, tick its way up to frightening levels.

But, we can't help but wonder if the Los Angeles City Council's plea to residents to stop killing during a 40-hour period beginning Friday at 6:01 p.m. will be effective. Will gang members pace around Saturday, wringing their hands as they quash their thirst for blood until Sunday? Will the armed drug addict wait one day before hitting the 7-Eleven for cash to fuel his habit? Will the abusive spouse put off until Sunday what could just as easily be done Saturday night during the climax of a 12-pack fueled fight?

It would be a nice tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. on the 40th anniversary of his assasination if everyone put down their guns, linked arms and sang Kum Ba Yah. But we're pretty sure the hoodlums and thugs are too busy being hoodlums and thugs to keep themselves up-to-date on the doings of local leaders. However, if they do adhere to the murder moratorium and take the message literally, Sunday's gonna be a bloodbath.