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Ex-LAPD detective found guilty of first-degree murder
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/los_angeles&id=8574177 ^

Posted on 03/08/2012 5:25:35 PM PST by dragnet2

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A jury found former LAPD detective Stephanie Lazarus guilty of first-degree murder in the death of her ex-boyfriend's wife 26 years ago.

The trial lasted more than 3 weeks, but it took the jury less than eight hours to return with a guilty verdict on Thursday. The jury also found the allegation that she personally used the firearm to be true.

The 51-year-old showed no reaction when the verdict was read. Her husband left the courtroom immediately, and her mother left in tears about a minute later.

"I am very disappointed. I think the speed of the verdict showed that we never had a chance in this case," said defense attorney Mark Overland.

Sherri Rasmussen was found dead in her Van Nuys apartment in 1986. The prosecution contended Lazarus murdered her ex-boyfriend's wife in a jealous rage.

The key piece of evidence in this case was DNA from a bite mark on the victim's arm. Investigators say that DNA came from Lazarus, who was an LAPD officer at the time. Lazarus went on to become a detective.

The case had originally gone cold, and detectives had believed at the time that the murder was the result of a burglary that had been interrupted. In 2004, detectives reopened the case after discovering the DNA evidence, but it wasn't until 2009 that the evidence brought investigators to Lazarus.

The defense argued that the DNA was improperly stored and could have been contaminated or planted, but the jury didn't buy it.

(Excerpt) Read more at abclocal.go.com ...


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To: dragnet2

Someone was protecting one of their own, simple that is the cop world.


21 posted on 03/08/2012 7:51:42 PM PST by org.whodat
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To: rabidralph

I wasn’t even aware that she had died.

It was a fascinating story-—as they say,”You couldn’t make this stuff up”.


22 posted on 03/08/2012 7:53:52 PM PST by Mears (Alcohol. Tobacco. Firearms. What's not to like?)
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To: rabidralph
"I’m hoping that Southland will use this case as a story on a future episode. I just want to see what wild-eyed actress they come up."

I'd say Janine Garofolo is a LOCK!


23 posted on 03/08/2012 8:51:46 PM PST by Baynative (Please check this out - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fFIcZkEzc8I)
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To: dragnet2; a fool in paradise

Lazarus, Overland, Rasmussen? All in one case? Sounds suspiciously politically Biblical!


24 posted on 03/08/2012 8:55:19 PM PST by Revolting cat! (Let us prey!)
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To: rabidralph

/I’m hoping that Southland will use this case as a story on a future episode. I just want to see what wild-eyed actress they come up./

Maybe the Lifetime Channel could do a movie...I do like watching SOUTHLAND though.


25 posted on 03/08/2012 10:57:47 PM PST by L.A.Justice
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To: Mark
She could end up with 20 plus years to life... LAPD Chief Beck apologized for not catching her earlier...

Her pension will help in prison.

26 posted on 03/08/2012 11:14:11 PM PST by L.A.Justice
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To: dragnet2
I’d be more interested to see if they’d reveal how LAPD totally blew it in their investigation 26 years ago.

From another article: For years, police assumed Rasmussen died during a violent robbery at her home – even though Rasmussen's parents repeatedly told police that Lazarus had threatened Rasmussen at her workplace, telling her, "If I can't have John, nobody can."

I understand that DNA technology wasn't mature at the time, but Rasmussen had a bit mark on the body. C'mon boys.

27 posted on 03/09/2012 10:56:44 AM PST by TankerKC (Welcome to the age of "I Meant to Do That" Diplomacy)
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To: TankerKC
You bet...How could they not know this was no burglary. Burglars generally don't bite their victims, and beat them viciously, like it's a personal vendetta...All after being told a cop was out for her.

They blew it.

28 posted on 03/09/2012 11:20:45 AM PST by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
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To: Mears

Yep. Weird story. But there are a ton of weird and stupid stories in Wisconsin.


29 posted on 03/09/2012 4:21:04 PM PST by rabidralph
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To: Baynative

That would be funny. She could probably write her own lines.


30 posted on 03/09/2012 4:21:56 PM PST by rabidralph
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To: L.A.Justice

I love that something happens nearly every five minutes and it’s often unbelievable. Like when that lady got run over and all they found was her purse and forearm in the street. The reaction from her husband. LOL!


31 posted on 03/09/2012 4:23:39 PM PST by rabidralph
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To: Erasmus; LomanBill
Charlie Manson liked to act and put on a show.

Loony Lazarus actually makes Charley look tame.

This is no act.


32 posted on 03/10/2012 9:21:38 AM PST by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
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