Recent Posts in Violent Crimes Category

This past Friday, a Los Angeles man that sexually assaulted his girlfriend's 11 year old daughter and then killed her was sentenced to death for the second time.  The man, 58 year old James Heard, allegedly killed the girl because she bit off part of his tongue.

In 2003, the California Supreme Court upheld Heard's conviction, but then overturned his first death sentence.  The Court found that the trial judge improperly excused a man during the jury selection process.

Heard was sentenced again in Los Angeles County Superior Court for the death of Katrina Brown, which occurred in December 1990.  At the time of the crimes, the girl's mother was at work.  Prosecutors say that the girl bit off part of Heard's tongue during the attack.  Heard then poured a bottle of alcohol down the girl's throat in hopes that she would regurgitate his tongue before he strangled her.

Contact Okabe & Haushalter to discuss your case with a Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer!

Recently, a shopkeeper in Winnipeg was charged with the criminal offense of manslaughter.  The charges were filed months after the shop keeper was involved in a confrontation with a shoplifter.

According to reports, the shop owner killed 29 year old Geraldine Beardy, who has shoplifted from his store.  Beardy was died five days later from her injuries.

The 62 year old shop owner, Kwang Soo Kim, told police that he was innocent and felt terrible for causing the death of Beardy.  Kim owns Okay Groceries, which is located on Sherbrook Street.  The incident took place on September 13, 2009.

Kim says that he confronted Beardy when he saw her stealing from her store, but did not lay his hands on her. Instead, he said that during the confrontation, Beardy fell to the floor and was injured.

If you have been wrongfully accused of manslaughter or murder, now is the time to speak with a Los Angeles criminal defense attorney at Okabe & Haushalter.  Contact our team oflitigators to learn how we can help you fight your serious criminal charges.

In Edgewood, Washington, four robbery suspects are still at large after responding to a Craigslist ad for the sale of some jewelry.

Three men and a woman arrived at the home saying they were there to purchase an expensive ring. They showed some cash then pulled out a gun. A man was shot and killed. His fourteen-year-old son attempted to fight off one of the attackers was consequently hit in the head with a gun. A woman, believed to be the man's wife, was tied up and a younger son managed to escape the house to safety. The suspects ransacked the house before leaving stealing more items.
 
Police think this crime may be related to another Craigslist robbery that occurred earlier that same day involving the sale of jewelry, where a man was tied up and his car was stolen.

Both theft and murder carry heavy penalties. If you have been accused of a crime in the Los Angeles area, it’s imperative that you contact a  Los Angeles criminal defense attorney to avoid the serious repercussions associated with a conviction. Contact Okabe & Haushalter today to learn more about the ways we can defend your case and help you fight your charges!  

Back in February we reported that a woman was convicted of setting a bikini dancer on fire during a feud. Last week that woman, 28-year-old Rianne Theriault-Odom, was sentenced to life in prison in Van Nuys Superior Court.

In attendance at the hearing was the victim, Roberta Santo-Busby, who tearfully asked the judge to issue the maximum sentence. Busby suffered severe burn injuries over 40% of her body, spent five months in the hospital, and had to undergo 30 painful skin grafts.

Theriault-Odom asked for a psychiatrist, claiming she wasn’t emotionally stable enough for prison, but the judge, Superior Court Judge Susan Speer, turned down her request to postpone the sentencing.

Speer said the crime involved “great violence, great bodily injury, disclosing an exceptionally high degree of cruelty, viciousness and callousness.”

The attack took place on February 5, 2009. Theriault-Odom and Busby got into an argument outside the Babes & Beer bar in Tarzana. As the argument escalated, Theriault-Odom doused Busby, a dancer at the club, with gasoline and then set her on fire. According ABC 7 news, Theriault-Odom had been denied a job as a dancer at the club.

Violent attacks like this warrant serious charges and even stricter penalties. If you have been accused of a violent crime, such as mayhem, torture, or aggravated assault, it’s crucial to speak with a criminal defense lawyer right away. You can trust your case will be aggressively prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law by the district attorney’s office, so it’s important to equip yourself with an equally tough defense. At Okabe & Haushalter, we can ensure your case is given the attention and dedication it deserves, and that you are aggressively defended from the beginning stages of your case until the very end.

If you are interested in arranging a consultation with a Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer at our office to discuss your charges, please contact Okabe & Haushalter today at (310) 543-7708!

A foot chase through Compton has led to the arrest of a man wanted for carjacking, evading police, and assault with a deadly weapon, among other crimes.

The incident occurred about two weeks ago after police were called to Central Avenue and Rosecrans Avenue to deal with an alleged carjacking.

When deputies arrived at the scene they were able to identify the suspect, who tried to hide behind a car. The suspect soon started firing his gun at the officers and took off running. As he was running he shot at the officers a second time.

The suspect hid inside a home, but police were able to locate him, arrest him, and bring him into custody.

Carjacking, as with almost all crimes involving the use of a weapon, is considered a felony offense in the state of California. Anyone arrested or charged with carjacking stands to face serious penalties upon conviction, including probation, large fines, prison, and the loss of the right to own a handgun in the future. When faced with charges for carjacking or any other violent crime, it’s in your best interest to consult an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense attorney at Okabe & Haushalter right away. An attorney at our office can immediately begin preparing a defense strategy and work toward securing a favorable resolution to your case.

For more information about the defense services offered at the firm, please contact Okabe & Haushalter today!

A teenager has been arrested on murder charges for allegedly killing a gang intervention worker.

According to police, 40-year-old Ronald Barron confronted the teen as he was tagging a wall on Pico Boulevard. The teen then pulled out a gun and shot Barron.

Barron, who worked as a gang intervention worker with the Amer-I-can program, was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

According to witnesses, the teenager calmly walked away from the scene after shooting Barron, disappearing into a residential area. He was later apprehended by gang and homicide detectives. The suspect is not believed to be associated with any gangs, but is a known tagger. His name is not being released due to his age, which is 16.

Nothing is more serious than being charged with murder, especially murder in the first degree. If you or a family member has been arrested for murder, hiring a highly skilled criminal defense attorney is absolutely essential. At Okabe & Haushalter, we are committed to helping clients throughout Los Angeles and South Bay fight their criminal charges. Whether you are facing a simple misdemeanor or a life-changing felony, such as murder, you can trust a Los Angeles criminal defense lawyer at Okabe & Haushalter to work diligently in pursuing the best possible end result for you!

Contact Okabe & Haushalter today at (310) 543-7708 to learn more about our criminal defense services.

Following accusations that she doused a bikini dancer in gasoline and then lit her on fire, a Los Angeles woman has been convicted of aggravated mayhem and torture.

Rianne Theriault-Odom faces life in prison after a Los Angeles jury found her guilty of the charges. She was also charged with attempted murder but was acquitted.

According to prosecutors Theriault-Odom and the victim, Roberta Dos Santos Busby, were feuding at a Tarzana club when Theriault-Odom set Busby on fire.

During the trial, Busby testified that she suffered burns over 40 percent of her body, had to spend five months in the hospital, and had to undergo 30 skin grafts.

Theriault-Odom claims someone else set Busby on fire.

Six sorority sisters are in deep trouble with the law after several girls claimed they were tortured during the sorority’s pledge period.  

The suspects, members of Sigma Gamma Rho sorority at Rutgers University in New Jersey, were arrested after seven “pledges” claimed they were beaten and starved for eight days. One of the victims claims she was struck 201 times between January 18 and January 25. 

The girl was in so much pain she felt the need to call her family and ask to be taken to the hospital. Police were then alerted to the situation and the six sororities sisters were arrested and taken to the Middlesex County Adult Correctional Facility. Each girl’s bail was set at $1,500.

Rutgers University officials are still investigating the incident, but so far have suspended the chapter from the school. The university’s policy “strictly prohibits all forms of hazing. Under the Code of Student Conduct, a student found to have engaged in hazing may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion."

The national headquarters for Sigma Gamma Rho revoked the chapter, which means the sorority will no longer be recognized and cannot accept any new members while the investigation is on-going.

Hazing is considered more than just a silly college ritual. Hazing is a serious crime that can result in a number of criminal penalties. If you or a loved one has been charged with hazing or a violent crime in connection with hazing, it is important to consult a lawyer right away. To speak with an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense attorney at Okabe & Haushalter who will ensure you are aggressively defended at all stages of you case, please contact the office by calling (310) 543-7708!