Times coverage: Arrests in three killings
In the past several weeks, the LAPD has made significant steps in resolving three separate homicide cases that have occurred in South L.A. in the past eight months.
On Wednesday, authorities arrested Matthew Moore, a 26-year-old black man, who is believed to have shot and killed Kevin Bautista, a 21-year-old black man, on March 27 in the 1600 block of West 84th Street in Manchester Square.
Last week, LAPD South Bureau detectives apprehended Charles Holmes Jr., a 37-year-old black man, suspected in the fatal shooting of Johnny Thomas, a 34-year-old black man, in February in the Green Meadows neighborhood.
And with the help of police in Rochester, N.Y., and the FBI, investigators captured Derrick Johnson. He was arrested in connection with the death of Larick Matheson, a 58-year-old black man, who was killed in a planned attack back in August 2009.
Times reporter Richard Winton has more on L.A. Now: Suspects in three separate homicides arrested, LAPD says
Map shows locations of the three homicides
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Posted: April 29, 2010 at 2:42 p.m.
Updated: April 29, 2010 at 5:33 p.m.
Sentencing: Life in prison without parole for barber who set homeless man on fire
A man who prosecutors said had a grudge against the homeless was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison without the possibility of parole for killing a homeless man in the Mid-Wilshire area by setting him on fire with an emergency flare.
The murder committed by Ben Martin, 31, two years ago horrified the densely populated area where John McGraham was a well-liked figure and spotlighted the vulnerability of the homeless to violent attack.
"My brother had a life — he was a human being," Susanne McGraham Paisley, the victim's sister, told the court through sobs. "Even in a state of homelessness, he managed to touch so many lives."
Martin reportedly disliked homeless people lingering near the barber shop where he worked. A co-worker later told police he had seen Martin shout at the homeless to move away from the shop, sometimes striking out at them.
A customer said that he saw Martin on a separate occasion chasing a McGraham down 3rd Street, hitting him with a bag of towels and kicking him in the back. The barber yelled, “I don’t want to see you around here again,” according to the customer.
When the manager of the barber shop learned of the attack, Martin was fired. Three months later, prosecutors said, Martin returned to the area with revenge on his mind.
Carrying a bucket of gasoline and an emergency road flare, he found McGraham standing in the driveway of a parking lot. Martin soaked the homeless man with the gasoline ...
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Posted: April 28, 2010 at 12:12 p.m.
Updated: April 28, 2010 at 12:22 p.m.
Sentencing: Toddler's killer gets 25 years to life
Earlier this month Anthony Jerome Hall Jr., a 23-year-old black man, was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for the beating death of Nathan Coleman, a 1-year-old black boy, whose body was found in a trash bin in Long Beach.
Hall was sentenced April 12, two months after jurors found him guilty of one count of second-degree murder and one count of assault on a child causing death. Nathan was the son of Hall's girlfriend.
Nathan's badly beaten, lifeless body was found Sept. 19, 2008, by a person looking in the trash bin for recyclables.
The toddler suffered at least 11 hard blows to the body, including broken ribs and a severe skull fracture, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney's office.
Authorities believe Hall beat the child in downtown Los Angeles, put his body in a trash bag and then took public transportation to Long Beach, where he dumped Nathan in the trash.
Before Nathan's body was found, his mother reported him missing. Hall told her that Nathan had been kidnapped while under his watch. Hall scratched his own arms and cut his shirt to back up his story, prosecutors said.
Authorities arrested Hall shortly after Nathan's body was found.
Although Hall was recorded by police admitting to beating Nathan, at trial he said his girlfriend killed her son.
—Sarah Ardalani
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Posted: April 26, 2010 at 7:19 p.m.
Updated: April 27, 2010 at 12:11 a.m.
Timothy Monroe, 72
Died April 25, 2010 at 7:58 a.m.
Timothy Monroe, a 72-year-old black man, died Sunday, April 25, three months after he was shot in the 2500 block of 111th Street in Watts, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.
Sheriff's homicide Det.Kevin Lloyd, who is handling the investigation, said Monroe was working on his vehicle outside a residence about 4 p.m. on Jan. 8 when he was approached by two male Latinos and shot several times.
Monroe was taken to Lynwood Hospital where he remained in critical condition until his death on April 25. Lloyd said Monroe never spoke or regained consciousness while he was in the hospital.
Lloyd said authorities believe the two assailants may have been gang members. Robbery was not a motive.
Anyone with information about Monroe's death or the identities of gunmen is asked to contact the Sheriff's Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500.
— Sarah Ardalani
More in: Watts, 72, Male, Gunshot, Sunday, LASD Homicide, Black, Walk-up, Residence
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Posted: April 26, 2010 at 4:56 p.m.
Updated: April 29, 2010 at 4:41 p.m.
Lejoy Grissom, 27
Died April 25, 2010 at 12:02 p.m.
Lejoy Grissom, a 27-year-old black male, died Sunday, April 25, after being shot in Palms, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.
Grissom was in a commercial building at the time.
More in: Palms, 27, Male, Gunshot, Sunday, LASD Homicide, Black, Officer-involved, Commercial building
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Posted: April 26, 2010 at 4:56 p.m.
Updated: April 29, 2010 at 4:40 p.m.
Curley Ross, 45
Died April 25, 2010 at 5:41 a.m.
Curley Ross, a 45-year-old black man, was shot and killed Sunday, April 25, in the 6400 block of Paramount Boulevard in Long Beach, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.
Officers responding to a call reporting gunfire about 5:14 a.m. found Ross with gunshot wounds to his upper body, according to a Long Beach Police Department news release.
He was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead at 5:41 a.m., according to coroner's records.
Ed Winter, spokesman for the coroner's office, said the incident was described as walk-up shooting.
Anyone with information about Ross' death is asked to contact Long Beach Police Department Homicide Detectives Donald Goodman or Scott Lasch at (562) 570-7244.
— Sarah Ardalani
More in: Long Beach, 45, Male, Gunshot, Sunday, Long Beach PD, Black, Walk-up
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Posted: April 26, 2010 at 4:56 p.m.
Updated: April 29, 2010 at 4:40 p.m.
Richard Chavez, 33
Died April 25, 2010 at 4:03 a.m.
Richard Chavez, a 33-year-old Latino, was shot and killed Sunday, April 25, in the 600 block of West Romulo Street in Cypress Park, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.
Ed Winter, spokesman for the coroner's office, said Chavez and another person were standing outdoors about 1 a.m. when someone fired at them from a vehicle that was driving by. Both Chavez and the other individual were wounded in the shooting.
Chavez was taken to County-USC Medical Center where he died at 4:03 a.m., according to coroner's records.
The other victim was taken to Huntington Memorial and later released from the hospital, said Det. P.J. Morris, who works in the LAPD's Northeast division.
Investigators do not have any leads on the shooter or a description of the vehicle involved, Morris said.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Northeast Homicide Dets. L. Burcher or L. Lenchuck at (213) 847-9998. Police said tipsters who wish to remain anonymous can call Crimestoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.
— Sarah Ardalani
More in: Cypress Park, 33, Male, Gunshot, Sunday, LAPD Northeast, Latino, Drive-by, Public place
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Posted: April 26, 2010 at 4:55 p.m.
Updated: April 29, 2010 at 4:44 p.m.
Drexler Boyce, 18
Died April 24, 2010 at 7:34 a.m.
Drexler Boyce, an 18-year-old black man, died Saturday, April 24, a day after he was shot on the corner of Beach Avenue and Venice Way in Inglewood, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.
Coroner's officials were unable to provide details about Boyce's death because his autopsy is still pending, said Ed Winter, spokesman for the coroner's office. Winter said preliminary information indicated police believed the shooting was gang-related, although it was unclear if they believed Boyce was involved in gangs.
The Times will provide more information when it becomes available.
—Sarah Ardalani
More in: Inglewood, 18, Male, Gunshot, Saturday, Inglewood PD, Black
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Posted: April 26, 2010 at 4:55 p.m.
Updated: April 29, 2010 at 4:43 p.m.
Ramond Allen, 36
Died April 24, 2010 at 4:50 a.m.
Ramond Allen, a 36-year-old black man, was fatally shot Saturday, April 24, in the 2000 block of East 101st Street in Watts, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.
In an LAPD press release, authorities said Allen was walking inside the Jordan Downs Housing Development about 4:20 a.m. when he was met by an unknown black male and shot several times. The assailant fled the scene in a white sedan going south on Grape Street from 102nd Street.
Allen was taken to a local hospital where he died at 4:50 a.m., according to coroner's records.
Investigators believe the shooting was gang-related.
Anyone with information about the incident or the whereabouts of the gunman is asked to contact the Criminal Gang Homicide Group, Southeast Squad Dets. Scott Smith and Mario Aguilar at (213) 485-4341. Those who'd like to remain anonymous can call Crimestoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.
—Sarah Ardalani
More in: Watts, 36, Male, Gunshot, Saturday, LAPD South Bureau Homicide, Black, Walk-up
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Posted: April 26, 2010 at 4:55 p.m.
Updated: April 29, 2010 at 4:43 p.m.
Christopher Chorpening, 51
Died April 24, 2010 at 12:10 a.m.
Christopher Chorpening, a 51-year-old white man, was shot and killed Saturday, April 24, in the 16600 block of Ogram Street in Torrance, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.
Ed Winter, spokesman for the coroner's office, said Chorpening got into an argument with his roommate and was shot several times shortly after midnight. He was pronounced dead at the scene, Winter said.
When officers arrived at the location, they found Chropening's roommate, identified as Ivan Fay, a 61-year-old white man, and took him to the Torrance Police Department Jail where he was booked on suspicion of murder, authorities said in a news release.
Anyone with additional information about the incident is asked to contact the Torrance Police Detective Division at (310) 618-5570.
— Sarah Ardalani
Photo: Ivan Fay was booked on suspicion of murder in connection with the death of Christopher Chorpening. Credit: Torrance Police Department
More in: Torrance, 51, Male, Gunshot, Saturday, Torrance PD, White, Fight, Residence
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Posted: April 26, 2010 at 4:55 p.m.
Updated: April 29, 2010 at 4:46 p.m.
Miguel Heredia, 16
Died April 22, 2010 at 3:18 p.m.
Miguel Heredia, a 16-year-old Latino, died Thursday, April 22, five days after he was shot in the 1400 block of 59th Street in Florence-Firestone, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.
Heredia was at a party on April 17 when he was shot at 11:35 p.m., said Ed Winter, spokesman for the coroner's office. He was taken to Lynwood Hospital where he died from his injuries.
Winter said the shooting was described as gang-related.
Although the coroner’s office initially listed Heredia's death as a homicide, officials have since deferred a final determination pending additional tests that will not be available for another six to eight weeks.
— Sarah Ardalani
More in: Florence-Firestone, 16, Male, Gunshot, Thursday, LASD Homicide, Latino
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Posted: April 26, 2010 at 4:55 p.m.
Updated: April 29, 2010 at 4:45 p.m.
Julio Garcia, 46
Died April 22, 2010 at 9:44 a.m.
Julio Garcia, a 46-year-old Latino, was shot and killed by a Maywood police officer Thursday, April 22, in the 8300 block of Atlantic Avenue in Cudahy, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.
The incident took place shortly before 9:30 a.m. and Garcia was pronounced dead at the scene minutes later.
No officers were injured in the incident, authorities said. The shooting is under investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
The Times will provide more information as it becomes available.
— Sarah Ardalani
More in: Cudahy, 46, Male, Gunshot, Thursday, LASD Homicide, Latino, Officer-involved
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Posted: April 26, 2010 at 4:55 p.m.
Updated: April 29, 2010 at 4:47 p.m.
Mario Tovar, 59
Died April 21, 2010 at 2:30 p.m.
Mario Tovar, a 59-year-old Latino, was killed during an attempted robbery Wednesday, April 21, in the 2700 block of East Palmdale Boulevard in Palmdale, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.
Tovar, who ran the Palmdale Jewelry Mart, was at the store when he was shot about 2:15 p.m., according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. He was pronounced dead at the scene, coroner’s officials said.
Witnesses described the suspect as a black male in his early 20s wearing dark clothing and a baseball cap, authorities said. He was last seen fleeing the scene on foot through the parking lot of the jewelry store.
Sheriff’s deputies detained one individual a short distance from the store. He was held Wednesday evening pending questioning by homicide detectives, authorities said.
It was unclear whether this individual was involved in the shooting at the store, authorities said.
There was another incident at the jewelry store April 17, Sheriff's Det. Kevin Lowe said. Two armed men had entered Tovar’s store and “during the robbery, they got the victim’s gun,” Lowe said.
Investigators said it was unclear whether the incidents that took place Saturday and Wednesday were related, but were hoping that video surveillance from both events would help resolve this.
Although further investigation was necessary, Lowe said he was doubtful the same suspects were involved in both crimes at the store. One reason is that the store has a secured entry that would have required ...
More in: Palmdale, 59, Male, Gunshot, Wednesday, LASD Homicide, Latino, Robbery, Commercial building
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Posted: April 26, 2010 at 4:55 p.m.
Updated: April 29, 2010 at 4:46 p.m.
Dion Franklin, 35
Died April 21, 2010 at 12:05 p.m.
Dion Franklin, a 35-year-old black man, was shot and killed Wednesday, April 21, at the corner of Figueroa and 228th Streets in Carson, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.
Franklin was wounded shortly after 11 a.m. and taken to a hospital, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said.
According to coroner's records, Franklin was pronounced dead at 12:05 p.m.
— Robert J. Lopez
More in: Carson, 35, Male, Gunshot, Wednesday, LASD Homicide, Black
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Posted: April 26, 2010 at 4:55 p.m.
Updated: April 29, 2010 at 8:42 a.m.
Timothy Hillis, 62
Died April 20, 2010 at 4:28 p.m.
Timothy Hillis, a 62-year-old white man, was stabbed to death Tuesday, April 20, in the 1600 block of Cabrillo Avenue in Torrance, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.
Officers responded to call of a stabbing at the Torrance Motel about 3:30 p.m. and discovered Tillis stabbed several times, according to a Torrance police department news release.
He was taken to Harbor-UCLA Medical Center where he was pronounced dead, police said.
Through several eye witness testimonies, investigators were able to locate and arrest a suspect the same day. He has been identified at Edward Martinez, a 64-year-old Latino. Martinez was arrested on suspicion of murder and is being held at the Twin Towers Jail in downtown.
Martinez's next court appearance is scheduled for May 10 at the Torrance Municipal Court.
Anyone with additional information about the stabbing is asked to contact the Torrance Police Detective Division at (310) 618-5570.
— Sarah Ardalani
Photo: Edward Martinez was booked on suspicion of murder in connection with the death of Timothy Hillis. Credit: Torrance Police Department
More in: Torrance, 62, Male, Stabbing, Tuesday, Torrance PD, White
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Posted: April 26, 2010 at 4:55 p.m.
Updated: April 29, 2010 at 4:47 p.m.
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