A man who spent the last 27 years in prison after being convicted of murder in 1985 out of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Pasadena Courthouse, had his conviction overturned by a Pasadena Judge yesterday. The conviction stemmed from a murder that had taken place in 1984 in South Pasadena. The man, who elected to have a bench trial as opposed to a jury trial, always maintained that he was innocent of the murder.
The Pasadena Judge overturned the conviction and ordered a new trial after a key witness to the murder recently disclosed that he actually never got a good look at the killer and felt pressured to identify the man as the murderer. Moreover, the Judge found that the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, who investigated the murder, failed to turn over evidence that pointed to another possible suspect. As a result of the Judge’s ruling, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office was given 60 days to determine whether or not they would re-try the man. However, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office decided not to try the man again and asked that the murder charges against him be dismissed.
It has been our experience that the police rarely conduct fully-adequate criminal investigations in Los Angeles County. This case highlights the importance of hiring a competent, thorough criminal defense attorney, who will orchestrate a proper investigation, so that all of the important facts that may assist in a defendant’s defense are brought to light. Los Angles County Criminal Defense Attorney Daniel V. Cota has been in the business of helping people facing very serious criminal charges in Los Angles County for over 7 years. If you or a loved one needs assistance with either of these charges, visit our website at www.danielcotalaw.com or call the Law Offices of Daniel V. Cota toll free at (800) 351-6860. We are ready to take your call 7 days a week, 24 hours a day!
