EE FR
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2003
Volume 2, Issue 96
Santa Monica Daily Press A newspaper with issues
L O T T O FANTASY 5 01, 22, 26, 29, 39 DAILY 3 Afternoon picks: 8, 1, 0 Evening picks: 8, 7, 5 DAILY DERBY 1st Place: 06, Whirl Win 2nd Place: 03, Hot Shot 3rd Place: 11, Money Bags Race time: 1:44.73
NEWS OF THE WEIRD by Chuck Shepard
■ In January, the engineers and hobbyists of Utah's Salt Lake Astronomical Society told reporters they were planning to air-drop bowling balls, at very high altitude, to check out their impact when they land on the salt flats, to simulate the impact of meteorites. The society said it had been frustrated that it could not find any meteorites so far and had been wondering whether they had disintegrated or been pulverized on impact. Two days later, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, citing the many people engaged in work projects on the salt flats, said it was a bad idea to be dropping bowling balls around them.
THOUGHT OF THE DAY
Cops: Suspect used ruse on other women BY CAROLYN SACKARIASON Daily Press Staff Writer
The man suspected of killing a Santa Monica woman was previously convicted on felony charges for luring young women into his clutches by claiming to be a photographer in the entertainment industry.
attractive females, purports to be a photographer in the entertainment business, whether it’s music or film,” said Santa Monica Police Chief James T. Butts Jr. “This person is a very convincing and very smooth predatory type person.” Johnson’s bound and partially clothed body was discovered by
“This person is a very convincing and very smooth predatory type person.” — JAMES T. BUTTS JR. Santa Monica Police Chief
In fact, in one instance that led to a conviction, the purported photographer used the exact same film title to lure his victim as he did with 22-year-old Kristine Johnson and another woman who escaped from him more than a month ago in West Hollywood. “This person approaches
Carolyn Sackariason/Daily Press hikers at the bottom of a steep Santa Monica Police Chief James T. Butts Jr. and police personnel hillside in the Hollywood Hills on give the latest information in the murder investigation of Kristine Monday afternoon. She disap- Johnson’s murder during a press conference on Tuesday. peared Feb. 15 after telling her incident to wear to their purported by the suspect. roommates she was going to audiJohnson was found wearing a photo shoots. Johnson was last tion for the film production at the specific article of clothing that the seen in a light blue corduroy outCentury City Mall. Police refused to release the suspect asked both her and the fit, blue jeans and a matching See JOHNSON, page 6 name of the film production used female from the West Hollywood
City building inspector arrested for bribery Man’s work under suspicion BY JOHN WOOD Daily Press Staff Writer
It is easier to get forgiveness than permission.
INDEX Horoscopes Hang out tonight, Aquarius . . .2
Local Doctor, guitarist dies . . . . .3
Opinion Take that, PETA! . . . . . . . . . . .4
A Santa Monica building inspector was arrested last month on suspicion of soliciting bribes, police announced Tuesday. The suspect allegedly asked for cash in return for covering up building code violations during the past three months, according to
Jerry Rubin to take ‘Peace Activist’ case to Supreme Court BY JOHN WOOD
State Loggers targeted . . . . . . . . . .8
International Explosion in Philippines . . . .10
Sports Rice, Brown to stay . . . . . . . .11
Classifieds The classiest gig in town . . .13
Calendar
Daily Press Staff Writer
Former City Council candidate Jerry Rubin is taking his battle to be recognized on local election ballots as a “Peace Activist” to the nation’s highest court. James Fosbinder, a First Amendment attorney who is working pro bono on behalf of Rubin, said Tuesday he plans to file a petition asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case. Rubin suffered a setback last week when the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals refused
Keep your date straight . . . .15
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police and city officials. Police are not releasing any information on the suspect while the investigation is on-going, but city officials confirmed he is male and not a native of Santa Monica. The worker, a temporary employee contracted by the city to inspect buildings and make sure they meet code, was arrested in the middle of February, according to city officials. His work during December, January and the beginning of February is under investigation.
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to rehear his case, solidifying a three-judge panel’s ruling last October that upheld a previous dismissal of Rubin’s lawsuit by a U.S. District judge. A 9th Circuit judge last year requested the three-judge panel’s unanimous decision be reviewed by the full court, but that request was denied when it failed to garner the support of the majority of 9th Circuit judges. Fosbinder, whose practice is based in Hawaii, said Tuesday he was encouraged by the earlier request for a review, even though it failed. The request was a “one in a 1,000” See RUBIN, page 7
While the extent of the suspected crimes is still unknown, Suzanne Frick, who heads the city’s planning department, said the charges are serious. “We are very disturbed,” Frick said Tuesday. “If the allegations are correct, his behavior was reprehensible and we hope he is prosecuted to the full extent of the law.” Building Officer Tim McCormick said the alleged wrongdoing may reach well beyond the individual suspect’s actions. “We’re concerned that there may be other parties involved, and we’d like them to come forward,” McCormick said. “We’re doing everything we can to investigate (the alleged solicitations).” McCormick — who oversees the city’s building department — said he doesn’t know how the suspect got away with the alleged crimes, but credited the city’s employee probation period and evaluation processes for nabbing the temporary worker. Assistant City Manager Judy Rambeau said the city will not rest until every lead is exhausted. “We’re going to be following up with all the job sites this person may have touched,” Rambeau said. “And we’re going to make sure systems are instituted so nothing like this can ever happen again.” Any person with information regarding this investigation should call SMPD Detective David Hunscke at (310) 458-8949.