Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department

Jun 17 2011

Stacey Marie Barker

LANCASTER, Calif.—A Quartz Hill woman was sentenced today to 25 years to life in prison for the March 2009 death of her 18-month-old daughter, whom she initially claimed was taken from her in a violent kidnapping.

Superior Court Judge Hayden Zacky imposed the term on Stacey Marie Barker, 26, who was convicted May 24 of first-degree murder, assault on a child causing death and child abuse for the March 18, 2009, slaying of her daughter, Emma.

May 23 2011

Child with no seatbelt: $445

LOS ANGELES, Calif.—Between today and June 5, if you don't "click it,'' you stand a good chance of getting a $142 ticket.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department warned that it and other departments throughout the state will look for drivers and passengers without seatbelts for the next two weeks as part of the 2011 Click It or Ticket campaign.

The fines and fees for a first-time adult seatbelt violation is a minimum $142. The minimum is $445 for children under 16 the first time.

Feb 15 2011

Suspect sought

LOS ANGELES, Calif.—A body was found buried in the back yard of a residence in the Lennox area today, and detectives sought a person of interest in connection with the case.

Homicide detectives were sent to the dilapidated property near 112th Street and Inglewood Avenue last night after a woman told them a body was buried there, said sheriff's Lt. Don Slawson.

Investigators want to talk to the woman's boyfriend, identified as Marcos Lomeli, according to broadcast reports.

Feb 1 2011

Wrongful death suit

LOS ANGELES, Calif.—Lawyers for the parents of a woman found dead in Malibu after being released by sheriff's deputies are entitled to video showing the woman's behavior inside and outside the jail and station house, a judge ruled today.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge William F. Fahey ordered lawyers for the county to make the video of Mitrice Richardson available by tomorrow afternoon.

Jan 7 2011

Bert Hicks

LOS ANGELES, Calif.—One of the men suspected of sexually assaulting disabled women depicted on a videotape anonymously sent to authorities is already behind bars on sex charges, and he was married to one of the alleged victims, the sheriff's department reported today.

Bert Hicks, 42, is serving a sentence at Tehachapi State Prison for sexual assault, and is up for parole next year, said sheriff's Detective Ron Anderson.

Across Black America

Here’s a look at African American people and issues making headlines throughout the country.
 

Alabama
Freeman A. Hrabowski, president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, will address the annual African American Business Council luncheon on June 28. Hrabowski, who is chairman of President Barack Obama’s Advisory Commission on Education Excellence for African Americans, has a national reputation for his work studying the performance of minority students in math and science. Hrabowski, named one of the 10 best college presidents in the country by Time magazine, was a child leader in the Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham in the 1960s.
 

Arkansas
The Liberty Counsel filed a motion and a brief in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas seeking to intervene on behalf of a Concepts of Life crisis pregnancy center to defend against a suit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Reproductive Rights. The groups seek to impose a permanent injunction before the Human Heartbeat Protection Act goes into effect July 18. Liberty Counsel also filed a brief opposing the ACLU’s request for an injunction. The “Heartbeat” bill states that when a woman seeks an abortion at or after the 12th week, doctors must test for a fetal heartbeat before an abortion is performed and inform the pregnant mother that the child in her womb has a heartbeat. If a heartbeat is detected, a woman cannot have an abortion, except in cases of rape, incest, and if a mother’s life is in danger. “As we promised when the legislation was introduced, Liberty Counsel will defend this law without reservation for the people of Arkansas, born and pre-born,” said Matt Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel. “No right is more foundational than the right to life. Without life, all other rights are irrelevant,” concluded Staver.