The Los Angeles Times reports that a man suspected in participating in the 2009 slaying of a 19-year-old after an offensive text message was captured recently.
It is a tragic story, but one that may have legal problems for the state. In every Los Angeles murder case, the defendant is required to have an aggressive and diligent defense, just like any other case. But murder is different. It can lead to decades in prison, a life sentence or even the death penalty. For those reasons, murder requires an even more diligent defense to the charges and a Los Angeles Criminal Defense Lawyer with plenty of experience should be hired.
In this case, frustration with his girlfriend led a 19-year-old to send an insulting text message about the girl she was with. The girl took offense and allegedly called her brother, telling him to beat up the teen.
The two met to fight, but when the fight started, a gun was used by one of the two men who showed up, killing the 19-year-old after he took a bullet to the head. After a year, the suspect was captured in Puerto Rico only to be released by a judge there on $50,000 bond, despite a no-bail arrest warrant issued in Los Angeles.
Recently, he was arrested in Van Nuys as he was attempting to turn himself in, authorities said. The Times reports that it's possible the suspect's brother, who was arrested with him on unrelated charges in Puerto Rico, may have assumed his identity to fly him into the mainland and back to Los Angeles.
During a recent court hearing, a judge dismissed a murder charge against the girl who made the phone call, but is allowing prosecutors to go forward on a charge of conspiracy to commit assault. The alleged driver of the car is believed to have fled the country and the girl's brother, who set up the fight, hasn't been charged because of a lack of evidence.
What's unclear is how police connected this most recent suspect with the homicide. With charges being dropped and suspects in other countries, it may be a tough case for the prosecution.
What some people may forget is that the state has a huge burden in a criminal case. They must prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt. That requires them to show a jury there is no doubt another person committed the crime. And while people may be outraged when a person is found not guilty of a high-profile crime, it may very well not be that the person is innocent, but that they are not guilty. A person can commit a crime, but if the state doesn't have the evidence to prove it, the jury's job is to acquit.
This is why our criminal justice system is the best in the world. It provides a checks and balances system for the state and the police. Without it, people would be subject to prison without proof.
If you need to speak with a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney, contact the Law Offices of Stephen G. Rodriguez and Associates at 213-223-2173 for a free consultation.
Additional Resources:
It was the text of their lives, by Robert Faturechi, Los Angeles Times
Suspect in bizarre text-message slaying arrested after fleeing Puerto Rico, by Robert Faturechi, Los Angeles Times
More Blog Entries:
Teen Charged in Gang-Related Venice Park Murder: July 5, 2011
