Law Enforcement

LAPD detective injured when murder defendant throws chair in court
An L.A. police detective was hit in the head and upper body Tuesday when a defendant in a murder case threw a chair in court, also clipping a prosecutor. The female detective was struck during a 10:30 a.m. hearing when the defendant, identified as Jesus Mendez, grabbed a chair and tossed it about 15 feet, authorities said. The chair struck the detective and grazed a deputy district attorney prosecuting the case, police said. Los Angeles Times

Arrest made in case of man chased, stabbed to death in MacArthur Park
A Los Angeles man was arrested at MacArthur Park on suspicion of murder Tuesday at the same location where police say three months ago he stabbed a man to death. Sometime overnight Oct. 6, detectives say Jeremiah Jonathan Cockrum, 20, got into a dispute with several other people who live in and around the streets near MacArthur Park. "We're hearing all kinds of stories. Could've been over drugs, earplugs for iPhones," said Los Angeles police Det. John Motto.
Los Angeles Times

Target shoplifter in San Pedro turns petty crime into felony robbery
A man who apparently likes to smell good turned a misdemeanor shoplifting crime into a felony robbery recently when he pulled a knife on a security officer trying to stop him from leaving a San Pedro store without paying, a police report said. In the process, the man who took a $44.49 bottle of eau de toilette and two USB drives wound up on surveillance video that showed a clear view of his face.
Torrance Daily Breeze

Man preys on elderly drivers in staged-accidents scheme, police say
Police were looking for additional victims Wednesday of a 42-year-old man accused of staging multiple traffic collisions targeting elderly motorists in the San Fernando Valley and Mid-City areas. David Stevens was booked Tuesday on suspicion of grand theft, felony stalking, elder abuse and burglary in connection with the crimes, according to a news release from the Los Angeles Police Department. He was being held on $1.25 million.
KTLA

Partial sketch released in attempted abduction at NoHo school
Police released a partial sketch Wednesday of a man sought in the attempted abduction of a 10-year-old girl at Coldwater Canyon Elementary School in North Hollywood. The incident occurred on Jan. 22 as the girl, who was attending an after-school program, was walking from the playground to a bathroom at about 5:30 p.m., police said. According to the girl, the would-be abductor grabbed her from behind and covered her mouth, Sgt. Mike Kammert of the Los Angeles Police Department said.
KTLA

Suspects sought in bike theft from special needs girl
Detectives Wednesday were seeking the public's help in recovering a stolen bike that was custom made for a 12-year-old special needs girl. “It was heartbreaking, it was really sad,” said the girl's mother, Yolanda Rangel. Her daughter, Mia, has autism, is non-verbal and has been through many challenges in her young life. “Who does that?! And you can tell, you can tell it was a bike for a special needs person.” Surveillance video captured two men stealing the electric powered, tandem bicycle on Nov. 30 from the Marina City Club Condominium complex in the 4200 block of Marina City Drive, Los Angeles police said.
CBS LA

Sheriff Lee Baca's last day
Sheriff Lee Baca retires at noon on Thursday - in disgrace, some would say - but even his critics cannot deny his legacy includes impressive declines in crime. Newly released preliminary data show 167 killings within the jurisdiction of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department in 2013 - one more than the year before, but lower than any other homicide count since 1970, even though the population grew dramatically over that span of time.
Los Angeles Daily News
Los Angeles Times

Courts

State appeals panel provides clarity on three-strikes resentencings
A state appeals court panel ruled Tuesday that three-strikes inmates serving life in prison for being armed cannot ask for shorter sentences under a 2012 ballot initiative that softened the state's tough sentencing law. The published opinion provides at least a temporary measure of clarity to a thorny legal issue that has led judges around the state to hand down conflicting decisions on whether prisoners given life terms for gun possession can qualify for shorter sentences.
Los Angeles Times

Legislation

Assembly passes 2 bills to restrict paparazzi
The California Assembly approved two bills on Wednesday intended to rein in aggressive paparazzi who pursue celebrities. AB1256 and AB1356, both by Assemblyman Richard Bloom, D-Santa Monica, won approval in the Assembly and were sent to the state Senate. One of the bills makes it illegal to interfere with someone trying to enter or leave a building. Bloom said it was not about paparazzi but about protecting children and others who are affected by aggressive photographers at places such as schools and hospitals. That bill, AB1256, was approved on a 52-16 vote.
Associated Press

Auto Insurance

Consumer Watchdog clashes with Dave Jones over auto insurance
Automobile insurance companies would be banned from using motorists' occupation and education levels in establishing customer premiums under a rule change sought by consumer advocates Wednesday. Consumer Watchdog formally requested that California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones, the auto insurance industry's chief regulator, bar companies from engaging in the practice.
Sacramento Bee

City Government

City Council eyes changes to LA street memorial rules The Los Angeles City Council is considering changes to how the city allows and removes temporary street memorials in the public right-of-way. The city Bureau of Street Services and the Bureau of Sanitation was asked in December to submit a report to the Public Works and Gang Reduction Committee following a motion introduced by Councilman Mitch Englander to “establish compassionate guidelines and policies” for street memorials similar to those established in response to the 2008 Chatsworth Metrolink train crash and other disasters. CBS LA