Law Enforcement

Defense attorney argues suspect who died in LAPD custody was combative
Los Angeles police officer acted “out of frustration” and abused her authority when she kicked and shoved a handcuffed woman in the back of a patrol car, a prosecutor told jurors Monday, but a defense lawyer said the officer was doing her job in trying to restrain a combative suspect, who subsequently died while in custody. Mary O'Callaghan, 50, is charged with a felony count of assault by a public officer stemming from the July 22, 2012, arrest of 35-year-old Alesia Thomas in the 9100 block of South Broadway Avenue.
mynewsLA.com

Police Arrest 1, Search for Another After Fake U2 Tickets Sold on Craigslist
Been sold a fake U2 ticket on Craigslist? Police need your help catching the scammer. On Sunday, the Los Angeles Police Department arrested one person who was allegedly selling bogus tickets online to the rock band's Saturday concert at the Forum, police said.
NBC Los Angeles

Gang shooting leaves 1 dead in South Los Angeles
A man was shot to death in South Los Angeles, apparently by a crew of rival gang members, while he was parking his vehicle, police said today. The shooting occurred in the 1900 block of West 85th Street around 10:30 p.m. Sunday, said Officer Norma Eisenman of the Los Angeles Police Department's Media Relations unit. The victim was approached by three men in a vehicle who began shooting at him before fleeing, Eisenman said, adding that he died at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds.
Los Angeles Daily News

Hyde Park Community Calls For End To Violence After Teen With Special Needs Is Gunned Down
Loved ones of a teen gunned down at a car wash were remembering the life of Tavin Price, who would have turned 20 Monday. Price's mother, Jennifer Rivers, says around 11 a.m. Friday, she and her son were at a car wash on Florence and 11th avenues while he stepped away to the store to pick up a few items. Detective Eric Crosson of the LAPD said the incident at this point appears to be gang-motivated.
CBS Los Angeles

L.A. County Sheriff Seeking 1,300 New Deputies
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is looking for more than a few good men and women. The nation's largest sheriff's department will need about 1,300 additional sworn personnel by July 1, the Los Angeles Times reported Sunday.
Officer.com

Undercover Sting Busts DUI Offenders Caught Driving Moments After Losing Licenses
An undercover sting in Newport Beach caught drivers behind the wheel just moments after exiting court with suspended licenses. Orange County Sheriff's deputies, undercover around the Newport Beach courthouse, targeting drivers they say had been previously busted for driving under the influence, and should not be driving, due to their suspensions.
CBS Los Angeles

Stay-at-Home Mom Missing for Nearly Two Weeks
A family's worry continues to grow as a stay-at-home mother from the Antelope Valley area of Southern California has yet to be found after vanishing nearly two weeks ago. Monique Figueroa, 28, left her hometown of Littlerock on May 19 after telling friends she was going to visit some other friends in the Los Angeles area, her father Jeff Figueroa told NBC4 on Monday.
NBC Los Angeles

Police Lieutenant Who Told Teen of Parents' Fatal Crash Supports Him at Graduation
A police officer who had to tell an 18-year-old Texan last week that his parents had died in a motorcycle accident kept his promise and showed up at the teen's high school graduation over the weekend. Lt. Eric Ellison of the Orange Police Department was tasked with telling 18-year-old Kazzie Portie his parents died on May 24 when a pickup truck smashed into their motorcycle. The driver of the truck faces two manslaughter charges.
KTLA 5

State Government

State found not liable for releasing rapist who then killed teenager
State mental-health authorities are not liable for determining that a convicted rapist — who raped and killed a teenager four days after leaving prison — was suitable for release, the California Supreme Court decided unanimously Monday. Elaina Novoa sued the Department of Mental Health, charging that her sister's death was caused by the government's failure to fulfill its duties under the Sexually Violent Predators Act. That law permits dangerous sex offenders to be confined in a mental institution after their prison terms end.
Los Angeles Times