San Diego Criminal Attorneys Blog

San Diego Sex Crime Suspect Hangs Self in Cell

Published on: July 4, 2009 | by Leslie Legal Group

In San Diego, sex crime suspect, Thomas James Parker, 39, was found dead in his cell hanging by a sheet while at the San Diego County Central Detention Facility. He had been accused of seven sexual assaults on women throughout San Diego.

The sexual assault crime spree has allegedly been ongoing for over a year. Mr. Parker was captured on Wednesday, July 1st, after a failed attempt to to rape a Mission Valley woman in her garage. She fought back and then chased him until he was arrested at a shopping center in Mission Valley. Police claim that DNA has linked him to seven sexual assaults that started last year and occurred in Carmel Valley,Tierrasanta, and near UC San Diego.

Mr. Parker was the co-owner of It’s a Grind Coffee House in Little Italy. He was married with two young children.

Recent Criminal Court Case Decisions

Published on: July 3, 2009 | by Leslie Legal Group

Melendez-Diaz v. Massachusetts-US Supreme Court

NO CHEMIST REPORTS AT TRIAL, LIVE TESTIMONY IS REQUIRED

In Massachusetts, you don’t get an analyst to testify that the stuff

Poway Hate Crime Attack

Published on: July 3, 2009 | by Leslie Legal Group

in Poway, a city in San Diego County, four young latino adults or teenagers chased after two black brothers yelling racial slurs potentially committing a hate crime. The latinos chased the two brothers after they left an apartment complex and eventually smashed the black brothers’ car windows with one of them using a metal pipe.

The brothers were able to drive to another location where they called the police emergency line 911. The responding San Diego County sheriff deputies searched the location but were unable to locate the suspects. The investigation is ongoing and the police don’t believe the crime was gang related but was racially motivated.

POWAY: Attack investigated as hate crime, North County Times, July 2, 2009

San Diego Police & CHP Out in Force for July 4th Weekend

Published on: July 3, 2009 | by Leslie Legal Group

In San Diego and North County law enforcement will be out in force this weekend! This includes city police and CHP officers. The 4th of July weekend is unfortunately known for one of the most dangerous weekends to travel. Last year 41 people died on the California roadways over the July 4th weekend. Please do not drink alcohol and drive! If you do get stopped please know some dui tips on what to do! Have a safe weekend!

Vista Death Penalty Case Man Found Guilty of Toddler Murder

Published on: July 2, 2009 | by Leslie Legal Group

In Vista Superior Court, the jury convicted Jose Casteneda, an illegal immigrant from Guatemala, of first degree murder with special circumstances in the death of 2 year old Cesar Razo.

Now the sentencing phase has proceeded to determine whether Mr. Casteneda should be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole or to death. In the penalty phase the prosecutor, Keith Watanabe, will introduce evidence in aggravation to show why the jury should come back with a death verdict.

Mr. Casteneda’s attorney will introduce evidence in mitigation usually in the form of testimony of his parents, family members and other loved ones. It appears that the jury may be deadlocked on whether to impose death or life without the possibility of parole. I will keep you apprised!

EL Cajon Businessman Pleads Not Guilty to Murder & Arson Charges

Published on: July 1, 2009 | by Leslie Legal Group

Struggling Ramona businessman, James A. Kurtenbach, is being prosecuted for murder and arson charges. Mr. Kurtenbach, 48, is accused of arranging his house to be burned down by one of his employees, Joseph Nesheiwat, who died in an explosion while burning down the rental home on Mount Woodson drive. Mr. Kurtenbach has plead not guilty to all charges.

San Diego County prosecutors allege Mr. Kurtenbach’s motive for burning down this home was do to financial troubles stemming from back property and other taxes on homes he owned. The home was insured for about $900,000 had he collected the insurance proceeds. He allegedly has overdue $39,543.21 in property taxes from 2006 on this home and $16,000 on another home in Poway in addition to $3 million dollars in unpaid sales taxes generated by his gas station business.

Trial is scheduled for January 12, 2010 at the El Cajon Courthouse. Witnesses are expected to testify that Mr. Kurtenbach made occasional statements about burning down the house. He is currently out on a $2 million dollar bond.

Former San Diego Padre, Matt Bush, Arrested For DUI In Mission Valley

Published on: June 30, 2009 | by Leslie Legal Group

In San Diego, Matt Bush, former San Diego Padres number one draft pick who was traded to Toronto, was arrested in Mission Valley and booked into the Central Detention Facility on driving under the influence (dui), driving on a suspended license, vandalism and resisting arrest charges.

San Diego Police were investigating a road rage incident and when they contacted Mr. Bush he was acting erratically. Unfortunately,the dui arrest comes just weeks after Bush pleaded guilty to a drunken assault at Granite Hills High School that occurred in February.

Mr. Bush is going to need an experienced criminal defense attorney knowledgeable in DUI representation to help him out of this pending case and the violation of probation assault case.

White Collar Crime Fraud Defendant Madoff Gets 150 Year Sentence

Published on: June 30, 2009 | by Leslie Legal Group

It’s no surprise, we all knew that Mr. Bernard Madoff would get the maximum sentence of 150 years behind bars, not the 12 years his lawyer was requesting, for bilking and defrauding thousands of investors to a tune of $13.2 billion dollars. Simply, the 71 year old Madoff will die in prison.

U.S. District Judge Denny Chin described the fraud scheme as an “extraordinary evil” and the lengthy prison term was meant to symbolically fit the multi-billion dollar fraud committed on his victims. Mr. Madoff did make a statement at his sentencing hearing apologizing calmly to those in attendance. “i will turn and face you, I’m sorry. I know that doesn’t help you.”

Mr. Madoff’s wife, Ruth, also jumped in on the media frenzy and made a statement that she too was also misled by her husband. “I am embarrassed and ashamed…Like everyone else, I feel betrayed and confused.”

San Diego Sheriff Deputy Out Of Control And Pepper Sprays 60 Year Old Woman

Published on: June 29, 2009 | by Leslie Legal Group

San Diego County Sheriff Deputy in Encinitas pepper sprays and arrests a 60-year-old hostess of an event for U.S. Congressional candidate Francine Busby.The sheriff deputy claims that Shari Barman became combative with a deputy who was at the fundraising event to investigate a noise complaint. Wild and crazy 60 year old!!

Francine Busby said the gathering was not loud and described the deputy’s use of pepper spray on Ms. Barman and guests as “shocking.” Ms. Busby plans to challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Brian Bilbray for his 50th District congressional seat in 2010. Bilbray beat her out for the open seat in 2006. Politics involved?

Who was responsible for the confrontation’s escalation? I’m sure the sheriff deputy will say that Ms. Barman was responsible for the escalation but hopefully a full investigation will reveal the truth! I find it hard to believe a crowd of mostly middle-aged persons at a political fundraising gathering are going to escalate a situation with a sheriff deputy investigating a noise complaint! This investigation won’t go away!

Fallbrook Mother Arrested For Drunk Teen At House Party

Published on: June 29, 2009 | by Leslie Legal Group

If you host a party beware! In Fallbrook, a rural city in north San Diego County, a 46 year old mother of three was arrested after she dropped off an extremely drunk teenager at Fallbrook Hospital. San Diego sheriff deputies arrested Deborah Gibney for violating the county’s social host ordinance, child endangerment and obstructing an officer. Ms. Gibney denies that she provided any alcohol to the party goers.

Ms. Gibney claims that dozens of booze-toting teens had swarmed her home, turning what she described as an innocent end-of-the-year celebration into a drunken blowout. She didn’t want to call the Sheriff’s Department because she doesn’t trust Fallbrook sheriff deputies, who she believes routinely harass teenagers. She has had the party for eight years without an incident. This case and charges will not go away without a fight and Ms. Gibney is going to need an experienced criminal defense attorney.

The house party law imposes civil and criminal liability on adults who host private parties and fail to stop persons under 21 from consuming alcohol when they know or should reasonably know they are drinking alcohol. It’s a misdemeanor offense and violators can be punished with up to six months in jail and fines of up to $1,000. If you find yourself in this situation its probably best to shut down the gathering and request that the party goers leave your residence.