assault - Law Offices of William W. Bruzzo

Santa Ana City Council Member Charged with Sexual Assault and Other Charges

Law Offices of William W. Bruzzo — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 00:50:00 GMT

Carlos Bustamante of the Santa Ana City Council pled not guilty to several felony and misdemeanor charges. The allegations are that he sexually assaulted seven women at the Orange County Public Works Department. This happened over a period of eight years and the alleged victims were subordinates in the same department.

Bustamante has denied these allegations since leaving his position last year. Allegations were made in March of 2011 and information gathered by the county’s internal investigation was given to the District Attorney’s Office in March of this year. The scandal resulted in the firing of the county’s director of public works. A deputy chief executive officer has gone on medical leave and the county Board of Supervisors could evaluate whether to keep the county’s CEO. Bustamante faces six felony counts of false imprisonment, three felony counts of assault with intent to commit a sexual offense. Other charges are one count of stalking, attempted sexual battery by restraint and one grand theft for misuse of public funds. Misdemeanor charges of sexual battery, assault and battery have also been filed against Bustamante.

Here is an Orange County Register video covering Mr. Bustamante plea.

If you are having trouble viewing the video, you can see it here.

Criminal Law Updates by the Law Offices of Orange County Defense Attorney William W. Bruzzo (714) 547-4636.

Carlos Bustamante arrest, charges to be addressed by Orange County DA (abclocal.go.com)
Santa Ana City Councilman Arrested On Sexual Battery Charges (losangeles.cbslocal.com)
Councilman Bustamante, accused of sex assault, due in court (ocregister.com)
Orange County CEO Resigns Amid Sex Scandal (losangeles.cbslocal.com)

Police Suspect Same Person of Stabbing Three Homeless Persons in Los Angeles

Law Offices of William W. Bruzzo — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 03:47:00 GMT

The Los Angeles Police Department’s robbery and homicide division are investigating three stabbing incidents. One incident occurred in Santa Monica the other two in Los Angeles. Three homeless people were stabbed by one suspect. According to the Los Angeles Times, police said they were searching for David Ben Keyes who has been missing from Santa Barbara. Now police state that the suspect’s real name is Courtney Anthony Robinson. The three victims survived the attacks. Two weapons have been recovered each from a different crime scene. One a black kitchen knife used in the Hollywood incident where a homeless woman was stabbed while she slept. The other was a hunting knife from the first attack on July 4th, the victim had been struck between the shoulder blades. The knife was still inserted in his back when he was helped. Notes have been left at all three sites. A note with the words “death warrants” and the suspect’s signature have been confirmed at two of the crime scenes.

Here is an NBC Los Angeles news report covering Mr. Robinson turning himself into LAPD.

If you are having trouble viewing this video, you can see it here.

Criminal Law Updates by the Law Offices of Orange County Defense Lawyer William W. Bruzzo (714) 547-4636

LA Homeless Stabbings Suspect Faces Mental Evaluation Hearing (losangeles.cbs.local.com)
3 LA-area homeless people found stabbed with notes (news.yahoo.com)
‘Death warrant’ stabbing suspect may be using public transit (latimesblogs.latimes.com)
‘Death warrants’ left at scene of 3 homeless stabbings, LAPD says (latimesblogs.latimes.com)
Homeless Stabbings (kfiam640.com)
Police Seek Person Of Interest In 3 Stabbings Of Homeless People (losangeles.cbslocal.com)

Orange County Dad Attacks Two Sons, Evades Police and is Arrested

Law Offices of William W. Bruzzo — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 20:57:00 GMT

A family dispute in Costa Mesa resulted in an arrest of the father of two sons. The mother of the two, who was not present at the scene, called police stating that her husband had hit the younger son. Police arrived and after speaking with the brothers, one a 28-year old and the other 17-years old, took them into the police car. The eldest had a gash on his forehead after his dad allegedly hit him with a ceramic floor tile. The Costa Mesa PD was told that the father had left in his pick-up truck. Investigations suggest that the father had gotten into an argument with his sons. There were no details as to why the father got so upset. Then he hit his teenage son and also used the tile to hit the eldest. The father, Donald Greene, then wielded a gun in front of the sons and fired a round in the garage. As the younger Greenes were sitting in the marked police car Mr. Greene was being chased by police and crashed into the parked police vehicle containing his sons. Mr. Greene sustained major injuries. Police add that the suspect has also made a statement that he wanted to hurt himself as he crashed into his sons. Penal Code Sections 273a(a), 273a(b), [child abuse], 245(a)(1) [Assault with a deadly weapon], 246.3 [Negligent Discharge of a Weapon], Vehicle Code Section 2800.1 [Evading a Police Officer]

High Stakes Attempted Murder Trial in Orange County

Law Offices of William W. Bruzzo — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 21:12:00 GMT

A fight at an Irvine home sent one man to the hospital with a stab wound to the chest back in April of 2009. The victim was Andre Murillo, and on February 8, 2011, a trauma surgeon, Dr. Nastanski, testified at the preliminary hearing of Defendant Abdullah Wahadi. The defendant is charged with attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon. Dr. Nastanski explained that the cut had severed the outer layer of Mr. Murrillo’s heart and further explained that such a cut could cause bleeding into the chest which could have been fatal. Mr. Wahadi’s defense attorney asked the doctor about traces of marijuana and amphetamines in the victim’s blood. According to the Orange County Register the defense attorney asked Mr. Murillo about a previous incident involving him and his father. Specifically, whether or not Murillo pushed or head butted his father, which Murillo said “I don’t believe that happened”. An Irvine police officer testified as well, giving accounts from two of Mr. Murillo’s friends. Officer Flores described how one witness described seeing Wahadi punching Murillo several times, and on one occasion saw a knife. Also one witness said that the physical altercation occurred outside of the house, after an argument between the two inside the house. The article did not explain why the men had been arguing.

Generally questions about whether a victim was under the influence of drugs is only admissible where if the Defendant intends to claim self defense toward a drug crazed assailant-victim. Otherwise, such questions are usually irrelevant, not admissible and may not be asked. It is unclear what relevance asking the victim about an incident with his father since that would not appear to be relevant unless the Defendant was trying to show he was acting in self defense and the victim had a propensity for violence.

Mr. Wahadi’s only possible defenses to this case are that it simply did not happen or that he was acting in self defense or defense of others. Notably, self defense usually only permits like force with like force to be applied. So if Mr. Murillo was using his fist and Mr. Wahadi used a knife that may not qualify as self defense.

Irvine is generally considered one of the safest places in America and is consistently on top 10 lists for American cities with little crime. For such a serious crime to have been committed there has been a shock to the locals. If convicted Mr. Wahadi could face life in prison. See Penal Code Sections 664-187, 245(a) (1).

More Than Football

Law Offices of William W. Bruzzo — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 21:55:00 GMT

Tailgating at the USC-UCLA football game on Saturday provided something more then a loss for the Bruins. Police responded to a fight that broke out in the parking lot. Witnesses explained that the fight started because someone had thrown a football that unintentionally hit another group’s vehicle. The L.A. Times described that it took police officers 15 minutes to disperse the brawling crowd of less then 70 people. A man who was arrested on Saturday on suspicion of attempted murder was released yesterday. His three children however were arrested on Monday, while two men arrested on Saturday are still being held. One victim was stabbed seven times in the back and was sent to intensive care according to a witness. Another man was stabbed in the jaw, his brother explains that the tip of the knife is still in the wound. The only justification for hitting someone or using a knife on them is if you are acting in defense of yourself or others. The means you use to defend yourself must be reasonable. Generally, you cannot defend against someone using their fists with a gun. Police continue to investigate the incident. See, Penal Code Sections 664-187, 245(a)(1), 242, 240.

Assault on a Peace Officer Charge Dismissed

Law Offices of William W. Bruzzo — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 15:52:00 GMT

A Battery occurs whenever one person touches another without consent. A Battery can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony. The amount of injury to the victim will usually decide whether the case is charged as a felony or a misdemeanor. Here is one client’s experience facing a battery charge in Orange County:

“I was charged with Assault on a Peace Officer (Penal Code Section 241(b)); Battery on an Officer(Penal Code Section 243(b))and Resisting Arrest (Penal Code Section 148(a) (1)). These charges occurred as a result of an altercation I got into with a Police Officer in Orange County. I was looking at up to one year in jail for these offenses. I hired William W. Bruzzo to represent me because of his reputation and his familiarity with the courts in Orange County. I told Mr. Bruzzo that not only did I not assault the officer in question but that he assaulted me without reason or provocation. I realized that for the most part it would be my word against the officer’s. Mr. Bruzzo took my case and began investigating the officer by filing motions which requested the personnel records of the officer in question. The County of Orange fought to keep the records from being revealed but Mr. Bruzzo won in the end. The personnel records of the officer in question revealed that he had had problems with violence in the past. Mr. Bruzzo used this information in his negotiations with the District Attorney. In the end, the District Attorney agreed to DISMISS all the charges against me! I am very grateful to Mr. Bruzzo for his work and I would enthusiastically recommend him for any criminal matter.” ~ WR, 01/15/2010

Two and a Half Criminal Charges

Law Offices of William W. Bruzzo — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 22:59:00 GMT

After a 911 call police showed up on Christmas day and arrested actor Charlie Sheen while he was on vacation in the ski resort town of Aspen, Colorado. According to the Associated Press the wife of the Two and a Half Men actor called regarding an incident with a knife and threats. An affidavit states that the wife was held down on a bed while Sheen threatened to kill her. An argument had developed after Brooke Mueller Sheen told him that she wanted a divorce and custody of their children. The possible charges are criminal mischief, menacing, second-degree assault and domestic violence. The AP article explains that the menacing charge can lead to two to eight years in prison and a fine of $2,000 to $500,000. Sheen was out on $8,500 bond. If this case had occurred in California the actor could have been charged with assault with a deadly weapon(Penal Code Section 245(a) (1)) for use of a knife and felony domestic violence(Penal Code sections 273.5 or 243(e) (1)). His exposure to prison time would have been similar to Colorado. Such an allegation could also effect child custody and visitation issues.

Criminal Law Updates by the Law Offices of William W. Bruzzo (714) 547-4636

Here is the AP Video regarding the arrest:

Orange County Criminal Attorney Defends Aggravated Assault Cases

Law Offices of William W. Bruzzo — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:42:00 GMT

In California a common charge involving assault is Assault with a Deadly Weapon (Penal Code Section 245); if a person points a gun (or other dangerous weapon) at another person then he can be charged with assault with a deadly weapon. Even if the gun was not loaded and even if the person holding the gun had no intention of using the gun he can still be charged if the victim was in reasonable fear as a result of the person pointing the gun at him. Below you will read a recent testimonial received by William Bruzzo, an Orange County Criminal Attorney who defends aggravated assault cases.

“I was charged with Aggravated Assault/ Assault with a deadly weapon (Penal Code Section 245(a) (1)) with an enhancement for inflicting great bodily injury (Penal Code Section 12022.7(a); I was also charged with Battery with serious bodily injury (Penal Code Section 243(d)) also as a felony. I could have gone to prison for 5 years on this case and had a strike on my record. I hired William W. Bruzzo to defend me in this matter because I know he is an experienced attorney familiar with the courts, the judges and the district attorneys in Orange County. I believed I was innocent of the crime and that any action I took against the victim was in self defense. Mr. Bruzzo negotiated with the District Attorney and eventually set the matter for trial. On the day of trial the felony charges against me were DISMISSED. I pled guilty to a misdemeanor. That misdemeanor was also dismissed after one year and completion of Cal Trans. I never received any jail time. Mr. Bruzzo managed to get the most serious charges against me dismissed without risking a trial and without the additional expense. I would enthusiastically recommend Mr. Bruzzo for any criminal matter.” ~ T.O. 10/23/09