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ROWLAND HEIGHTS -- A motorcyclist suffered serious injuries Wednesday morning in a crash on Harbor Boulevard, officials said.
The crash was reported at 7:20 a.m. on Harbor Boulevard, just south of Dublin Way, California Highway Patrol Officer Jennifer Connolly said.
Initial reports indicated a motorcycle had rear-ended another vehicle, and that the motorcyclist suffered injuries including a broken leg, she said.
Both northbound and southbound lanes of Harbor Boulevard were shut down for about an hour as officials investigated the crash.
POMONA -- A judge sentenced Manling Tsang Williams to death Thursday for smothering her two young children with a pillow and slashing her husband to death with a sword in the family's Rowland Heights home in 2007.
The 32-year-old woman sobbed and shook as Pomona Superior Court Judge Robert Martinez handed down the sentence for the Aug. 7, 2007 murders of her husband Neal Williams, 27, and their sons Devon, 7, and Ian, 3, at the condominium the family shared in the 18200 block of Camino Bello.
A jury convicted her three counts of first-degree murder in 2010, along with the special allegations of using weapons and lying in wait. After one jury hung regarding whether to sentence Manling Williams to death or life imprisonment, a second penalty phase jury recommended last year that she be put to death.
"It is the order of this court that you should suffer the penalty of death," Martinez told Manling Williams.
Manling Williams was dressed in an orange jail jumpsuit and glasses with her hands shackled at the waist during the proceeding. She kept her eyes fixed on the table in front of her throughout.
Jan Williams, mother of Neal Williams and grandmother to Devon and Ian Williams, said she was glad to see the trial, now in it<CF10>s fourth year, draw to a close at last.
"I'm relieved that this chapter is over," she said. "I couldn't take another trial."
Jan Williams added that, "This has had a terrible impact, not just on me and my family, on the Tsang family, but everyone involved."
The judge reflected on the crime at the sentencing hearing.
"The evidence is compelling that the defendant, for selfish reasons, murdered her own two children," Martinez said.
Her motivation, Martinez said, was a "narcissistic, selfish and adolescent," desire to start a new life with another man, free from the hindrances of family life.
Additionally, the judge pointed out, Manling Williams had numerous family members who would have taken in the children should she have decided to abandon them.
After smothering Devon and Ian in their bunk bed, "The defendant savagely, brutally and viciously attacked her husband with a katana sword," Martinez said.
Neal Williams was stabbed and slashed more than a 97 times in the attack, investigators said.
"In the final moments of life, Neal begged the defendant for help," the judge said.
The case was prosecuted by Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorneys Stacy Okun-Wiese and Pak Kouch.
Defense attorneys Tom Althaus and Haydeh Takasugi argued for their clients life to be spared.
Althaus told the court that the killings were not a calculated executions, but a "sudden mistake."
"There's no basis for the prosecution's contention that these murders were planned," Althaus said, adding that Manling Williams was in a state of "extreme mental and emotional disturbance" when she killed her husband and sons.
Mitigating factors also included a difficult upbringing and no previous history of violence, he said.
Althaus acknowledged that his client had had an extra-marital affair, but disputed the prosecution's assertion that the affair formed a motive for the crime.
"There's no good explanation why it happened," Althaus said.
Prior to the killings, Manling Williams was "a kind, generous, troubled woman who loved her husband and children," he said.
Manling Williams sister, Shun Ling Tsang, also urged the judge to spare Manling William's life and sentence her instead to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
"Both families involved in this case have asked the prosecution not to pursue a second penalty phase," Tsang said.
Following the announcement that the first jury had hung in the penalty phase of the trial, both Williams and Tsang family members said they would rather see the prosecution accept a defense plea deal for a life sentence without the possibility of parole that included waiving rights to future appeals.
The prosecution elected to re-try the penalty phase, resulting in a jury recommendation of the death penalty in August of last year.
The ongoing court proceedings entailed on a death penalty case are only serving to cause more pain for family members already devastated by tragedy, the sister said, adding that she believed the prosecution's pursuit of the death penalty was "ego-driven" and "politically motivated."
"Today will not bring about closure or healing," Tsang said.
Jan Williams said she had mixed feelings about the sentence.
"I have some reservations, because it can be hard on the families. It can take decades to resolve," she said.
She said she hoped the appeals process, which begins automatically when a convict is sentenced to death in California, will not require her to continue attending court hearings regularly.
The judge said he himself had concerns over the way the death penalty is administered in California.
The judge expressed sympathy to both the Williams and Tsang families and spoke of his own concerns of the inefficient way in which the death penalty is currently carried out in California, but ruled that that the death penalty was appropriate, considering the law and the facts of the case.
Each of the three killings, Martinez said, were "deliberate, premeditated and committed by lying in wait."
Martinez said that the evidence showed that Manling Williams had planned the killings two months in advance, and immediately began trying to conceal her guilt afterward.
She wore latex gloves as she attacked her husband, he said.
Testimony indicated it takes five to 10 minutes for a person to die by suffocation, meaning that Manling Williams had at least five minutes to contemplate or actions while killing one of her children before killing her other son in the same manner, Martinez said. "She clearly had time to reflect on what she was doing."
Following the killing, the judge said, Manling Williams typed up a note indicating that Neal Williams had killed the children and himself, disposed of bloody clothing and returned home before screaming to neighbors that someone had killed her family.
While being interviewed by detectives after the discovery of the bodies, "For hours, she feigned grief, sadness and bewilderment," he said.
It was only after confronted by investigators with a bloody cigarette box that was found in her car that Manling Williams broke down and admitted the murders, Martinez said.
"It is not for me to forgive, because the ones in the position to forgive are not with us," Martinez told Manling Williams. "I hope your families find peace."
After years of hearings in which the judge remained intentionally stoic, "It was rather chilling to have the judge pronounce his opinion so frankly," Jan Williams said.
Out of more than 700 California death row inmates, less than two-dozen of them are women, and none them have been among the 13 prisoners executed since the penalty was restored.
"This penalty is becoming precariously close to becoming a hypothetical," Martinez said.
"Mz. Williams, I will probably never see you again," the judge added. "I will be long gone when this case and judgement is finalized."
LOS ANGELES -- The sentencing for a man and two women convicted of participating in a 2004 robbery spree that left a Whittier man and a Rowland Heights man dead was delayed Tuesday, officials said.
Jose Resendez, 34, Bernadette Corvera, 30, and Mitzie Oso, 33, have all accepted plea bargains in the case and were scheduled to be sentenced Tuesday, however the hearing was postponed until April 20, court officials said.
The trio is accused in the killings of PCC culinary student and sandwich shop employee Joseph Molina, 22, of Whittier and Dianqiu Wu, 50, of Rowland Heights, during a robbery spree between August and December of 2004 officials said.
Authorities allege the group was responsible for about 14 robberies in cities including Whittier, Alhambra, South Pasadena and Monterey Park.
Resendez pleaded guilty to a count of second-degree murder for Wu's killing, Oso pleaded guilty voluntary manslaughter for the killing's of Wu and Molina and Corvera pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and robbery in connection with Molina's death.
A fourth defendant, Sara Lopez, 29, pleaded guilty on Dec. 18 to one count of being an accessory after the fact in the murder of Wu and has been sentenced to three years of probation.
The final defendant in the case, Leonardo Cisneros, 27, is awaiting trial on suspicion of murdering both Wu and Molina.
Molina was shot to death Dec. 10, 2004, when a group of people robbed a the Whittier Subway sandwich shop where he worked. Wu was fatally shot Aug. 4, 2004, in a parking lot in San Gabriel during a street holdup, police said.
ROWLAND HEIGHTS -- A bank robbery Wednesday was the work of a serial robber connected to two other crimes dating back to July of last year, authorities said.
The "Stretch Bandit" paid a visit to the Bank of the West, 19005 E. Colima Road, about 10:30 a.m., according to FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller.
It was his second robbery at the same bank, which he also robbed on July 12 of last year, officials said.
The same man is also suspected in a July 6, 2011 robbery at a U.S. Bank Branch on Hacienda Boulevard in Hacienda Heights, Eimiller said.
The FBI calls him the "Stretch Bandit" because of his physical description, FBI officials said. He stands about 6 feet 3 inches tall and is of thin build -- about 190 pounds.
The bandit is 35 to 42 years old, and a white, 4-door Honda Accord with a tinted rear window and the first two license plate numbers of "3Z" has been spotted in connection with the crimes.
Sheriff's officials further described him as having blonde hair and blue eyes.
The robbers passes tellers notes demanding cash and claiming that he has a gun, FBI officials said, though no weapons have been seen during the robberies.
Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI's 24-hour line in Los
Angeles at 310-477-6565.
PHOTOS courtesy of the FBI
ROWLAND HEIGHTS -- A man escaped with about $1,000 after using a note to rob a bank branch Wednesday, authorities said.
The crime was reported about 10:30 a.m. at the Bank of the West, 19005 Colima Road, Los Angeles County sheriff's Lt. Joe Chavez said.
The robber handed a teller a note demanding cash and was last seen fleeing north from the bank on foot, officials said.
He was described as a white man in his mid-30s, with blond hair and blue eyes, about 6 feet 3 inches tall and 185 pounds, wearing a tan jacket over a blue hooded sweat shirt, Chavez said. He was unshaven.
The Sheriff's Major Crimes Bureau, as well as the FBI, were assisting in the investigation.
ROWLAND HEIGHTS -- Two men robbed a cell phone store of four iPhones on Thursday night.
The robbers hit Speed Mobile Inc. in the 18700 block of Colima Road at 6:44 p.m.
Sheriff's Sgt. Ramon Lascano said one of the suspects grabbed the phones.
An employee tried to stop him. But the second suspect pointed what appeared to be a gun under his shirt at the employee, Lascano said.
The robbers then ran off with the phones.
They were described as Latinos, between 20 and 30 and standing between 5 feet 7 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall. One weighs 150 to 180 pounds while his accomplice was between 200 to 230 pounds.
- Ruby Gonzales
ROWLAND HEIGHTS - Firefighters putting out a two-story house fire Monday night discovered more than 500 marijuana plants being grown there.
Authorities late Monday night found more than 500 marijuana plants growing in a home in the 18000 block of Villa Clara Street in Rowland Heights, said Sgt. Tim Robarge of the Walnut/Diamond Bar Sheriff's Station.
The fire department received a call about a structure fire at 10:49 p.m., said Andre Gougis, supervising dispatcher with the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
Firefighters found the second floor on fire. About 25 firefighters knocked down the blaze at 11:19 p.m.
Fire officials notified the sheriff's Walnut/Diamond Bar station about the pot plants at the house.
Each room had plants that were being grown at different stages, Robarge said, adding that a majority of the house had been converted to be a grow house, with various lights, filters and electrical jerry rigging.
"That's probably what caused the fire," Robarge said of the electrical wiring.
Authorities believe the house was being rented, but it has not been confirmed, Robarge said.
One person was injured as a result of the fire.
The investigation is ongoing.
- From staff reports
Authorities late Monday night found more than 500 marijuana plants growing in a home in the 18000 block of Villa Clara Street in Rowland Heights, said Sgt. Tim Robarge of the Walnut/Diamond Bar Sheriff's Station.
The fire department received a call about a structure fire at 10:49 p.m., said Andre Gougis, supervising dispatcher with the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
Firefighters found the second floor on fire. About 25 firefighters knocked down the blaze at 11:19 p.m.
Fire officials notified the sheriff's Walnut/Diamond Bar station about the pot plants at the house.
Each room had plants that were being grown at different stages, Robarge said, adding that a majority of the house had been converted to be a grow house, with various lights, filters and electrical jerry rigging.
"That's probably what caused the fire," Robarge said of the electrical wiring.
Authorities believe the house was being rented, but it has not been confirmed, Robarge said.
One person was injured as a result of the fire.
The investigation is ongoing.
- From staff reports
ROWLAND HEIGHTS -- Sheriff's officials are investigating graffiti found early Saturday at a Mormon church as a hate crime, authorities said, however little other information was released.
The graffiti was discovered about 8:15 a.m. by a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 2120 Valencia Street, said Los Angeles County sheriff's Sgt. Robert Causey, who declined to give his first name.
"That's all I can disclose," the sergeant said, adding that the incident was being handled by the Sheriff's Hate Crime Task Force, which also released no information.
Sheriff's officials refused Saturday to say how extensive the graffiti was or what was written.
Church officials could not be reached Saturday afternoon for comment.
ROWLAND HEIGHTS - A 2-year-girl drowned in a pool Friday night, officials said.
It happened at 7:23 p.m. in the 2200 block of Deepgrove Avenue, investigators said. The girl's name was not released Saturday.
Los Angeles County sheriff's Sgt. Rob Blunt said a family member found the child in the pool. The girl was taken to St. Jude Medical Center in Fullerton where she was pronounced dead, he added.
Nothing criminal was initially suspected, and the death appeared to be an accident, officials said. Detectives from the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau were assigned to investigate.
There were no further details available about the incident.
It happened at 7:23 p.m. in the 2200 block of Deepgrove Avenue, investigators said. The girl's name was not released Saturday.
Los Angeles County sheriff's Sgt. Rob Blunt said a family member found the child in the pool. The girl was taken to St. Jude Medical Center in Fullerton where she was pronounced dead, he added.
Nothing criminal was initially suspected, and the death appeared to be an accident, officials said. Detectives from the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau were assigned to investigate.
There were no further details available about the incident.
ROWLAND HEIGHTS -- An elementary school was found burglarized and several computers stolen early Friday, officials said.
The break-in took place in the early-morning hours at Killian Elementary School, 19100 Killian Ave., Los Angeles County sheriff's Lt. John Saleeby said.
Officials discovered a window broken at a building on the campus, and several computers were taken, he said.
Further details were not available.
The break-in took place in the early-morning hours at Killian Elementary School, 19100 Killian Ave., Los Angeles County sheriff's Lt. John Saleeby said.
Officials discovered a window broken at a building on the campus, and several computers were taken, he said.
Further details were not available.
ROWLAND HEIGHTS -- A fire damaged a Rowland Heights home but caused no injuries early Thursday.
The blaze was first reported about 12:40 a.m. in the 300 block of Hallridge Drive, Los Angeles County Fire Department Inspector Quvondo Johnson said.
Firefighters arrived to find the garage of the home "well-involved" with fire, he said.
Firefighters extinguished the flames in under 20 minutes, officials said.
The cause was suspected to be an electrical appliance in the garage.
A family living at the home was displaced by the damage, Johnson said.
A dollar-value estimate of the damage was not available.
The blaze was first reported about 12:40 a.m. in the 300 block of Hallridge Drive, Los Angeles County Fire Department Inspector Quvondo Johnson said.
Firefighters arrived to find the garage of the home "well-involved" with fire, he said.
Firefighters extinguished the flames in under 20 minutes, officials said.
The cause was suspected to be an electrical appliance in the garage.
A family living at the home was displaced by the damage, Johnson said.
A dollar-value estimate of the damage was not available.
ROWLAND HEIGHTS -- Authorities remained tight-lipped Thursday about a break-in at a Rowland Heights bank branch earlier this month in which the contents of customers' safety deposit boxes were stolen.
Burglars broke into the EastWest Bank, 17458 Colima Road, Aug. 6, FBI spokeswoman Lourdes Arocho said.
FBI investigators declined to release any further information regarding the crime, she said.
Los Angeles County sheriff's officials declined to discuss the break-in and deferred all comments to the FBI.
DIAMOND BAR -- Officials filed charges Tuesday including possession of an assault weapon, animal cruelty, drug possession and child endangerment against a Hacienda Heights man and his wife, authorities said Thursday. an investigation into alleged extortion
Sheriff's gang investigators first began looking into Sheng Hui "Sunny" Chen, 37, and his wife Yulan Hu, 31, due to allegations of gang intimidation, Los Angeles County sheriff's officials said in a written statement.
Sheriff's gang investigators received a tip in April that Chen was involved in exporting Chinese immigrants by representing himself as a high-ranking member of the "United Bamboo" gang, the statement said.
"Unfortunately, we were not able to locate any victims who would cooperate with us on the extortion," Sgt. Steve Kim of the sheriff's Asian Gang Task Force. "They're too scared."
The probe did, however, yield evidence of the other crimes, Kim said.
Residents of a home Chen was suspected of occupying for several months found an illegal AK-47 assault rifle in the home allegedly left behind by Chen, authorities said.
Deputies from the sheriff's Asian Gang Team carried out a search warrant on Chen's home on Del Prado Drive in Hacienda Heights and arrested the couple on June 22.
Methamphetamine was found in the home's bathroom, in easy reach of Chen's young children (ages 8 and 9), Kim said.
Deputies also found 15 large dogs being held in unacceptable conditions, he added.
"Some of the dogs were kept in the garage without proper ventilation during extremely hot weather," Kim said. "They were kept in crates that were much too small for their size."
The other 10 or so dogs of various breeds were kept in a backyard kennel, officials said.
"However, the kennel did not have a cover to shield the dogs from sunlight and it was too small to house all the dogs. Several of the dogs were obviously malnourished," the sheriff's statement said.
Chen also owns owns a pet shop -- Teddy Bear Life House -- in the 1400 block of Nogales Avenue in Rowland Heights, officials said.
Chen was charged Tuesday with possession of an assault weapon, felony impersonation for falsely identifying himself to officers, felony animal cruelty, felony possession of methamphetamine and two misdemeanor counts of child endangerment, Kim said.
His wife Hu was charged with misdemeanor counts of possession of methamphetamine, animal cruelty and child endangerment.
Chen is due in Pomona Superior Court for arraignment July 14, Los Angeles County District Attorney's spokeswoman Jane Robison said. Hu's initial court date was not available.
The children were taken into protective custody and released to relatives, officials said.
Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control officials seized the dogs and are conducting an investigation, which will include looking into his pet shop, Kim said.
No one at the pet store answered the telephone Thursday.
Additionally, authorities said, investigators believe Chen had plans to open an illegal nightclub in the Rowland Heights area.
"(He) was soliciting young Asian women to work in his illegal nightclub he was preparing to open somewhere in the Rowland Heights area," Kim said.
Chen's possible gang ties remained under investigation.
According to sheriff's booking records, Chen and Hu were released from jail the day after their June 22 arrest after posting $50,000 and $30,000 bail, respectively.
Officials said both are Chinese nationals who came to the U.S. on tourist visas.
Though officials were unable to bring extortion-related charges against Chen, Kim said the investigation continues, and he encourages any potential extortion victims to report it to the sheriff's department.
"If anybody wants to come forward and tell us they've been victimized by this man, we'd love to talk to them," he said.
Sheriff's gang investigators first began looking into Sheng Hui "Sunny" Chen, 37, and his wife Yulan Hu, 31, due to allegations of gang intimidation, Los Angeles County sheriff's officials said in a written statement.
Sheriff's gang investigators received a tip in April that Chen was involved in exporting Chinese immigrants by representing himself as a high-ranking member of the "United Bamboo" gang, the statement said.
"Unfortunately, we were not able to locate any victims who would cooperate with us on the extortion," Sgt. Steve Kim of the sheriff's Asian Gang Task Force. "They're too scared."
The probe did, however, yield evidence of the other crimes, Kim said.
Residents of a home Chen was suspected of occupying for several months found an illegal AK-47 assault rifle in the home allegedly left behind by Chen, authorities said.
Deputies from the sheriff's Asian Gang Team carried out a search warrant on Chen's home on Del Prado Drive in Hacienda Heights and arrested the couple on June 22.
Methamphetamine was found in the home's bathroom, in easy reach of Chen's young children (ages 8 and 9), Kim said.
Deputies also found 15 large dogs being held in unacceptable conditions, he added.
"Some of the dogs were kept in the garage without proper ventilation during extremely hot weather," Kim said. "They were kept in crates that were much too small for their size."
The other 10 or so dogs of various breeds were kept in a backyard kennel, officials said.
"However, the kennel did not have a cover to shield the dogs from sunlight and it was too small to house all the dogs. Several of the dogs were obviously malnourished," the sheriff's statement said.
Chen also owns owns a pet shop -- Teddy Bear Life House -- in the 1400 block of Nogales Avenue in Rowland Heights, officials said.
Chen was charged Tuesday with possession of an assault weapon, felony impersonation for falsely identifying himself to officers, felony animal cruelty, felony possession of methamphetamine and two misdemeanor counts of child endangerment, Kim said.
His wife Hu was charged with misdemeanor counts of possession of methamphetamine, animal cruelty and child endangerment.
Chen is due in Pomona Superior Court for arraignment July 14, Los Angeles County District Attorney's spokeswoman Jane Robison said. Hu's initial court date was not available.
The children were taken into protective custody and released to relatives, officials said.
Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control officials seized the dogs and are conducting an investigation, which will include looking into his pet shop, Kim said.
No one at the pet store answered the telephone Thursday.
Additionally, authorities said, investigators believe Chen had plans to open an illegal nightclub in the Rowland Heights area.
"(He) was soliciting young Asian women to work in his illegal nightclub he was preparing to open somewhere in the Rowland Heights area," Kim said.
Chen's possible gang ties remained under investigation.
According to sheriff's booking records, Chen and Hu were released from jail the day after their June 22 arrest after posting $50,000 and $30,000 bail, respectively.
Officials said both are Chinese nationals who came to the U.S. on tourist visas.
Though officials were unable to bring extortion-related charges against Chen, Kim said the investigation continues, and he encourages any potential extortion victims to report it to the sheriff's department.
"If anybody wants to come forward and tell us they've been victimized by this man, we'd love to talk to them," he said.
ROWLAND HEIGHTS -- Authorities are investigating graffiti vandalism at a Jehovah's Witness church as a hate crime.
The damage was first reported shortly before 6 a.m. Saturday at the Jehovah's Witness: Rowland Heights Congregation at 19111 Killian Avenue, Los Angeles County sheriff's officials said.
"Deputies were directed to graffiti that had been spray-painted on the exterior walls of the religious facility," Sgt. Angie Wilkinson said in a written statement. "The graffiti was based on religion."
Lt. Mike Brown described the graffiti as "offensive words, phrases and symbols," though specific details of what was written were not released.
The graffiti was believed to have been done overnight, Wilkinson added, between 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday morning.
In addition to being a felony vandalism, with damage estimated at about $500, authorities are also considering the incident to be a felony hate crime.
Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff's Walnut-Diamond Bar Station.
CONTRIBUTORS
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| Frank Girardot, Metro Editor for the San Gabriel Valley Newspapers, brings you behind the yellow tape with takes on true crime, cold cases and more. This is also your forum to discuss crime, its impact on your neighborhood and how we cover it. Have any questions or tips? You can leave a comment here or e-mail Frank. |
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Brian Day is the crime reporter for the San Gabriel Valley Newspaper group. E-mail Brian. |
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