Pasadena: April 2008 Archives

Interim City Manager Barney Melekian will return to his post as Pasadena police chief, we've learned.

Here's some of what we will be reporting tomorrow:

Soon, Pasadena police Chief/Interim City Bernard Melekian will just be plain old Chief Melekian, after announcing Tuesday he’s taking himself out of the running for the permanent city manager post. So what does that mean for the selection process going forward, and what about Melekian’s plan to become head of the Calif. Police Chiefs Association.

Fred Ortega is all over this story at Under The Dome. So too is Aaron Proctor. Miss Havisham's recent interview with Melekian is also rather interesting.

In my opinion, this is probably a good thing for open government advocates. Melekian is no fan of a free press and likely his moving into a CM's post would create some friction between the fourth estate and city government.

Chris Vicino, Melekian's interim replacement at the PD will probably return to his job as commander.  

Author Joseph Wambaugh will be signing books at Vroman's in Pasadena tonight as part of his tour promoting "Hollywood Crows," The latest novel in a planned trilogy about the LAPD's Hollywood Station.

Wambaugh has written some of my favorite books including "New Centurions" "Choirboys" "Onion Field" and "Fire Lover"

The signing starts at 7 p.m. get there early.

Arraignment for Isaac Campbell, 32, accused of killing his girlfriend Liya "Jessie" Lu, ,31,  then stuffing her body in a trash can filled with kitty litter was postponed again Tuesday, officials said.

Apparently the Los Angeles Department of Coroner is having a difficult time determining the cause of Lu's death, and therefore Campbell cannot be arraigned, according to officials who spoke to Pasadena Star-News reporter Fred Ortega at the Alhambra courthouse. The arraignment was continued until the end of next month, officials said.

Students at PCC, where Lu was a nursing student have been folowing the case via the PCC Courier, which carried this report by Franco Sui Yuan:

One time PCC student Isaac Campbell, suspected in slaying former PCC student Liya Jessie Lu, will make a new appearance on court, after his arraignment was postponed today at the Alhambra Courthouse.

Superior Court Judge Carlos Uranga postponed the arraignment to May 6 due to the tardiness in receiving the Coroner’s report.

The report contains the information of Lu’s cause of death.

“We still don’t have a copy of the [Coroner’s] report,” said Deputy District Attorney and Prosecutor Steve Ipson. “Hopefully it will be available soon.”

Campbell spent several weeks on the lam in connection with the Aug. 11 disappearance and death of Lu before he was captured in Minneapolis in September.

Lu had been reported missing on Aug. 11 after she was dropped off at Campbell's apartment in San Gabriel, authorities said. Her car, a Mazda Miata, was also reported missing.

The car was recovered in the same Arcadia back yard where Lu's body was found, according to a friend of the homeowner who asked to remain anonymous.

Just prior to Campbell's capture, detectives held a news conference asking for assistance locating him. Among the information released at the news conference were details that indicated Lu's body was covered with kitty litter after being stuffed in a 90-gallon plastic trash can.

That information combined with several Internet posts on this blog and Usenet newsgroups helped lead investigators to Campbell, Sheriff's homicide Lt. Gil Carrillo said.