The Defendant, Lonnie Franklin was wearing the same blue denim shirt, black and silver tie and beige trousers as he had yesterday, I'm sure he must have slept in them.
Most of the morning was spent with the Witness David La Magna on the Stand, yet again, picking apart the tool mark analysis documentation of the Prosecution's Witnesses.
He arrogantly explained that the 2D microscope
is unreliable and he wouldn't use it to examine tool marks. He said that the 3D mapping microscope is much more reliable of a source for this kind of examination. According to him, this is the only method he chooses to use. The older microscope, the 2D version, is what the 6 real experts use and they seem to have done a great job. This is one of the many areas in which La Magna uses to discredit the Witnesses from the other side.
The Jury were released quite a few minutes before lunch, probably about 11.30am, until 1.30pm after the lunch recess returns.
Silverman and Amster started to get in to it with each other the moment the Jury left the room. I would like to say that they talk about strategies and possibly a motion for the continuance of this case. But the word, 'motion' ha! Why would I even call Amster's craziness a 'motion' anymore! It's always some kind of 'argument' or an 'attack' to put it mildly.
I found out, (through my law enforcement sources that Juror #10 had been replaced today). This was confirmed again by a reporter who was in the Courtroom today as well. He's a man I often listen to on KFI and he's exceptionally great at reporting on all kinds of high profile cases. Eric Leonard is his name. He told me that Juror #10 had been replaced with Juror# 5 who is a hispanic male.
It was a long day and highly unnecessary to have brought this man to the Stand, let alone brought him across the Country, put him up in a nice hotel and make him testify simply to try and discredit the very experts that he could only aspire to be.
Yesterday, Friday 22nd, was just another day of motions between the Defense and the Prosecution. The Defense Witness - David La Magna, who still hasn't seen the sun since he was flown out here, (he's still as white as a sheet), was sitting in the gallery and he wasn't on the Stand this time. The fact that he is still there makes me think that he might well be allowed to be called upon as a Witness for the Defense when the Jury come back next week.
Between both Counsels, they went over items that they want eliminated from questioning of Witnesses and what they will keep in. Pictures and documents were posted on the Elmo and, of course, one side Objected to it and said that it should be eliminated and the other side didn't agree and vice versa. The Judge gave her decision each time.
When Seymour Amster kept piping up with his Objections, Beth Silverman just slammed him down with the reason why it must stay in. She explained.
D.A: "Only late last night (early this morning) I received an email of certain items that Amster plans to introduce next week. Everything is always submitted, by the Defense, in the 11th hour. This whole thing (meaning how the Defense have handled this Trial) 'is just a charade".
The Judge gave Jury instructions at the end of the day and it sounded to me like we may be finishing this 'guilt phase' of the Trial as soon as the end of this next week. I doubt it, but we shall see. Amster wanted to add a Clause in the instructions stating the word 'aiding and abedding' in regards to the murders in which the Defendant has been accused. This was met with a look of shock by both the Judge and the Prosecution as the Defendant certainly never 'aided and abedded' anything. He either killed these women or he didn't! He then said that if he wasn't allowed to add these words, then he wanted the words 'special circumstances' to be put in. The Judge didn't agree and Amster then continued.
Amster: "Well I'm going to submit it anyway". Meaning he will write up a written request to the Court. The Judge was quick to respond.
Judge: "And I will deny it"!
This coming Monday 25th should be interesting as the Jury have been away for just over a week and they probably are wondering why. We all know why and I hope they find out after the Trial ends that the Defense in this case, can only be be hired as the lead in a bad sitcom and should never again be hired as a lawyer at all!
Yesterday after I left the Federal Building, the Jury went to deliberate in the Paul Tanaka Trial. I walked over to the CCB building which I have done each day. Thinking that yet again the Defense would still be focused on the DNA comparisons, as they had been all that morning (I was told this by my tipsters) and all the previous week, I was pleasantly surprised.
I walked in to the Courtroom as a Criminalist and Firearms expert was on the stand by the name of Rafael Garcia. On the Elmo was a picture of one of the guns found in Franklin's home. One picture was a view of the hallway and the West closet showing a picture of the jacket in which the gun had been found. The firearm was in the picture next to this one. It was of a semi-automatic pistol. A Raven 25 caliber Auto.
Ms. Silverman asked if these types of guns are designed for 'easy storage' to which Amster objected right away.
It was overruled and the answer was from Mr. Garcia, that: "Yes, absolutely it is designed for easy storage and concealment. One that a person might carry in their pocket".
Mr Garcia was handed an envelope, at 2 separate times in his Testimony, which he opened both slowly and pulled out a small coin envelope with a magazine inside. Also in this large envelope was a gun with a flex tie on it so it would be safe even if Mr. Amster was to 'approach the Witness', it still wouldn't go off accidentally (please see earlier Blogs for understanding of this statement)!
The second envelope Mr. Garcia opened was of a 380 automatic 'Highpoint' firearm inside, this was displayed for us to view in a larger format on the Elmo. It seemed like a larger gun than the previous gun which probably couldn't have been concealed too well. This gun was also tied with plastic flex ties for safety in the Courtroom and had 6 live rounds of ammunition inside it. They kept it the same way in which it had been found.
Before I walked in the Courtroom, my sources told me that during the search of the hallway and also the closets of Franklin's home, a machete, 19 cell phones (approximately) were found there. (I wasn't there to hear it first hand so I cannot guarantee the exact amount of phones but soon I will confirm this so I have confirmation for my book). Also pornography items including a video titled something like 'Big Booties etc'. I happen to know for a fact that Franklin loves 'big booties' especially on black females.
We ended the day on this Witness (Rafael Garcia).
Today April 6th.
Tanaka Trial.. waiting for the Verdict to be read:
I arrived at the Federal Building just before 8am knowing that the Jury would still be deliberating. They started to deliberate yesterday at 12.15pm until 1.30pm and then came back to deliberate from 8am today. I went into the Courtroom but no one was there. I decided to wander around the building and see who I could be with while I/we waited for a Verdict. I love being around people (as I'm an only child) so sitting with the cleaner would be better than if I was to be by myself with no one to talk to.
So I decided to start out by taking the elevator to the 2nd floor. Once I arrived on that floor, the first door I saw was a door that said "Attorney Conference Room". This room clearly was a room saved privately for Attorneys only. So...... I opened the door and peeked my head in.
Immediately I was faced with a man sitting at a table to the left of where the door opened, it was Jerome Haig, the Defense lawyer for Paul Tanaka. There was no turning back now so I said "I'm so sorry, I was looking for the Cafeteria"... I wish I had thought up something better than that. Anyway he beckoned for me to come in and sit at his desk. I really didn't want to be in his way knowing that he probably had thousands of calls to make and receive.
Mr. Jerome Haig and I had a long chat about everything under the sun, including the Trial, what he thought the outcome would be, who he's represented before and how he diplomatically dealt with the other side .. the Federal Government etc.
It was so very interesting because he seemed to be the stronger of the 2 Defense lawyers, yet his stature was much more on the shorter side. I would guess he's height is about 5ft 6 but he certainly makes up for his lack of height with his strength and professionalism as a lawyer.
Mr Haig actually knows Seymour Amster, the Defense in the Grim Sleeper Trial, very well, and he informed me that Amster is not a public defender as I'd thought all along. Amster is actually appointed by the County of Los Angeles and is on a panel that is chosen when a p.d. isn't available. Therefore Amster does get paid quite a bit to represent Lonnie Franklin. In fact he gets paid between $90,000 and $100.000 per Capital case (in increments). I was utterly shocked and didn't hold back in letting him know what I thought of this blundering fool by the name of Seymour Amster. The lack of professionalism and complete disrespect and disregard he has shown to everyone in the Courtroom is actually what has upset me the most. Mr Haig, his partner Dean Steward, Brandon Fox and Ed Hardy (spelling?) all showed complete professionalism and comradeship when they were working alongside each other during the Tanaka Trial. It was like night and day.
After about 50 minutes of sitting with him, he offered me his card which I gladly accepted, and then I went up to the Cafeteria on the 4th floor. Look, I"m still learning the building so I wasn't to know that the Cafeteria wasn't on the 2nd floor.
I sat with the rest of the media and we all had coffee and breakfast sitting at the same table then we moved around a bit to get signal on the phone which is virtually impossible in that building. I had been told that this Judge, Percy Anderson, sometimes receives a note when the Jury are ready to come back with a Verdict and that's all he will inform his Clerk who then informs the other lawyers. The Clerk doesn't call any media to inform them and there is only 10 minutes between the note being received and the Jury coming back to reveal their Verdict.
At 9.32am this morning, someone in the room was told there was 'a note that had just been passed to the Judge'. I then told everyone that this means for sure that the Verdict would be read. I was told that I may be wrong about that, but I kept trying to say...."No, on this I think I'm right.". I started to run down the corridor, throwing my un-sipped coffee away as I left. Steve, Judge Anderson's Clerk, was walking down the corridor and I asked him "Is it going to be read now?" Knowing that he doesn't like to talk to any media (and I"m not media), I took a chance. He just turned to me and said with a wink, "I'd go straight to the Courtroom if I were you!" I then did as he advised and then I told the media that 'the note' is definitely going to be the reading of the Verdict!
Flashing back 2 weeks ago: I think what helped was that after Jury was selected about 10 days ago, I placed a call to the Clerk of Percy Anderson's Courtroom and left a message for 'Steve' as his name was on the machine. I wanted to know what time the Trial would start the following Monday morning (April 2nd I think), I left my cell phone number and stated that I don't expect him to call me back and have a nice weekend. Within 10 minutes he called me back telling me that they aren't in session that Monday, he told me the hours of the Court day which ends daily at 1.30pm and no lunch. I said to him on the phone how much I greatly appreciated him calling me back that day and that he went way above his call of duty to do just that. So, I feel this is why today, almost 2 weeks later, he was more apt to tip me off than others who may not have shown their appreciation quite as much.
So after less than a total of 3 hours of deliberations, between today and yesterday, the Jury was about to come back with a unanimous Verdict. We all gathered on the front row/aisle, media and all, keeping our same spots as we had done throughout most of the Trial in fact. A lot of people weren't there as no one could really inform them, especially in a building with very little signal.
Within 10 - 15 minutes the Jury came in and the Clerk ~ Steve ~ read the Verdict.
"Guilty on both counts: Conspiracy to Obstruct Justice and Obstruction of Justice."
Tanaka sat stone faced and stoic with his head firmly in the same position as it was when he sat down, facing the Judge. His wife sat next to me across the aisle with her mother. She looked stoic for the most part until you could see tears welling up in her eyes and, at the same time, a look of utter shock came across her face. Yet the whole time she didn't move a muscle. His brother, who is a Judge, was also in the Courtroom along with his sister. They seem like a lovely family. They are the innocent victims in this whole mess.
Judge Anderson went down the row of all 12 Jurors and 4 alternates and each one agreed that this was their unanimous decision. I left the Courtroom and wanted to get a shot of Tanaka, as I had done yesterday which was aired on the ABC7 News.
I also wanted to hear the press Conference with the lawyers from both sides and the FBI. They all gave very good statements especially Jerome Haig, Tanaka's Defense and David Bowdich from the FBI. I recorded as much as I could and will try to attach it to this Blog.
I will close here in saying this: The Tanaka Trial was important to me on a very personal level which is why I attended every day (except one) due to my involvement in this case.
I'm glad, however, that this Trial is now over and I hope that his Conviction will help in the vindication of the wrongly convicted Sheriff's who served closely underneath him.
I have already started my book on this case.
However due to being commissioned first for my Grim Sleeper Book, by my Publisher, I am committed to attend the Grim Sleeper Trial as much as I can on a daily basis.
Over these past 10 days, I feel as though I have been torn in half as I have been running between 2 Courthouses for 2 very different reasons.
The Grim Sleeper Trial is not personal to me at all. I have been commissioned to write my 4th book on my 'exclusive interviews' and life story of the 'alleged' Grim Sleeper, therefore I am covering that Trial almost every day at the Criminal Courts Building aka CCB. This Trial will be going on for at least another month or two, so my livelihood is wrapped up in the Grim Sleeper case.
The 'Tanaka Trial', however, (which ended today) involves irreparable damage done to the entire Los Angeles County Sheriff Department and even though my 'livelihood' is not involved, on a personal level I am very much involved.
There are/were so many 'wrongly convicted/innocent' people who worked in positions beneath Tanaka, therefore my goal is to make sure that Justice prevails and these peoples' stories will be heard!
It has been a few days since I last wrote but the events of the Grim Sleeper Trial have been very much the same day after day after day. This is not only because Seymour Amster, the lead Defense, likes to play games and drag his feet. This is also because comparing the Defense's DNA results from the 11 victims (one was an attempted murder) from the Sorenson Lab to the DNA results from the State approved Lab is a very tedious and time consuming process. As I stated in my blogs before, it's not just blood and sperm that is tested at great expense, it is also hair, swabs, slides, fibres, etc, etc.. tested to the most infinitesimal details.
It seems to me that Mr Seymour Amster has called in each and every person from this Sorenson Lab in Utah to each testify on their findings. Highly unnecessary, but in his mind, it all helps to delay the process of a slam dunk Trial.
On a side note, because of the repetitive nature of the Grim Sleeper Trial, I have also been able to cover a Trial down the street at the Federal Building in which I have a personal involvement. To make it short, it is the Trial for the ex-Under Sheriff of Los Angeles County Sheriff Dept by the name of Paul Tanaka.
He is accused of many things, some of them being 'Conspiracy to Obstruct an FBI investigation.' The FBI brought the case to Trial and I have been there every day and will continue to cover it until it ends in the next few days. This Trial finishes every day at 1.30pm with no lunch break. The Grim Sleeper Trial (a few buildings up the road) comes back after lunch at 1.30pm, hence I have managed to make every afternoon at the Trial in which I am being commissioned, by my Publisher to complete my book.
The reason for my attendance in the Tanaka trial is because this is a matter I am very close to as I've been involved with the LASD, in various capacities, since I moved to America as a teenager. It's devastating that so many innocent Sheriffs, who were in positions subordinate to Paul Tanaka, have now lost their jobs, been convicted of crimes they didn't commit, by simply 'following orders from above' and/or made a plea. Hence their lives have now all been ruined.
I have heard many retired Captains testify, all were very powerful in their testimony. I've heard the sleaze-bag Gilbert Michel testify. He was the Deputy who smuggled the cell phone in to the jail to Inmate Anthony Brown, after making a cash deal with an undercover FBI Agent. Not only did he commit this disgusting crime, still wearing the LASD badge, but when he was caught he took down other Deputies with him accusing them of 'excessive force'. This very bad apple slipped through the net of one of the best Law Enforcement Agencies in the world, and I'm ashamed that he was ever given the title of Deputy Sheriff. Thank God it was only for a short time.
Today and Friday we heard Tanaka testify. On Friday his Defense ~ Dean Steward and Jerome Haig ~ put him on the Stand. He quivered, lied, had selective memory loss and basically looked like a complete phony to all and sundry in the Courtroom. He buried himself with his testimony on Friday and that was with his own Defense questioning him. Today matters became much worse when he was cross examined by AUSA Brandon Fox and Ed Hardy. AUSA Fox didn't mince his words when asking about Tanaka's association with the well known Deputy Gang that he presumably ran when working as a Sergeant in Lynwood by the name 'The Vikings'. This lasted a number of grueling hours and we heard more of Tanaka's untruths and placing blame on the one person above him ~ Lee Baca, along with his close subordinates.
I started to write my book on this a year ago, but I put this on hold pending a Trial. It's just a bit of a coincidence that both the Grim Sleeper and the Tanaka Trial came began around the same time. I can only focus on one book at at time, hence I am continuing on with The Grim Sleeper. My book on the LASD and the FBI will have to wait a few more months.
After the day ended today, I walked over to CCB (the Criminal Courts Building) and rode the elevator to the 9th floor. I hadn't even walked in the door to sit down when I heard Amster's scream come through the double doors, this time screaming at the Judge... yet again! I walked in right after lunch recess had ended and the Jury weren't back in the room yet. Here's how it went:
....."You'd be screaming bloody murder Mr Amster if they'd done that to you!" What a pun I thought, but what on earth could they have been talking about. I realized immediately that, yet again, Amster had not given the name of a Witness that he had wanted to call up next. He was screaming that he just handed the Prosecution the name of the Witness which he had written on a small Post-it note. The Court erupted as we all thought 'he just cannot be serious'! But he was and in his warped mind, he is.
As Judge Kennedy showed her disdain for Amster's lack of professionalism by scribbling the name of the Witness (who he was calling on today) on a Post-it note to show the Prosecution. He piped up 'Well I respectfully disagree your Hounour, because we have had to deal with with so many surprises from the Prosecution's side and they ....."
"Stop, stop! I'm not asking you what they. You're like the kid that deflects everything when they're in trouble by saying, 'well my brother did this and that when questioned about something.. you know what I mean'. But right now we are talking about you Mr Amster!"
She went on to say: "You are not going to ever do this again Mr Amster. You're not going to write a note in the middle of the day, of what Witness you are calling up next. You have to give 30 days notice and that's the rules. You could have even told them on Friday, or told me as I know you two don't communicate well. Now lets bring the Jury in."
I couldn't believe that I'd just come out of a highly professional Courtroom and walked up the road to the CCB right back in to the never ending Circus of the Grim Sleeper Trial. What a contrast! Amster has not improved at all. Believe it or not, today there was yet another (different) Witness on the stand from the Sorenson Lab, testifying about the DNA. Even Detective Dupree almost fell asleep, he told me, with this highly repetitive and unimportant testimonies that have gone on for well over a week.
When the Witness was allowed to continue, with the Jury present, the same questions were asked of him as they have been asked of all the Witnesses before:
"Was the DNA tested done in a competent manner to the best of your knowledge"? And the Witness answered in the same way as all the other Witnesses: "Yes it was". Along with "Yes DNA was found but there were too many contributors to determine whether we could determine a match".
