CIVIL CASES

Case:  Simpson v. Cameric International Developments, et al.

Type of case:  Commercial landlord-tenant

Verdict:  $1,344,184 award for Dr. Simpson.

Facts of the case: Dr. Simpson rented medical offices from defendants Fombe and Cassandra Ndiforchu, a husband and wife team of medical doctors doing business as Cameric International Developments. At the conclusion of the first written lease, the defendants insisted that Dr. Simpson sign a new lease increasing the rent to an amount far in excess of the amount authorized by the controlling lease. Dr. Simpson refused to sign the new lease so Dr. Cassandra Ndiforchu shut off the electrical power to Dr. Simpson's medical offices for a period of 28 days. After a trial of nearly three weeks, all 12 jurors found that the defendants were liable to Dr. Simpson for his past lost earnings and rendered a verdict in Dr. Simpson's favor in the amount of $1,344,184.

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Case:  Greer & Jackson v. MTA

Type of case:  Personal injury - Bus v. auto

Verdict:  $156,825 award for the plaintiffs

Facts of the case:  While stopped at a traffic light in an older VW bug, Mr. Greer and Ms. Jackson were rear ended by an MTA bus.  Both plaintiffs suffered moderate soft tissue injuries.  The jury awarded Mr. Greer $96,415.25 and Ms. Jackson $60,413.75.

CRIMINAL CASES

Case:  People v. Nunnery

Type of case:  Attempted murder (2 counts) and felon in possesion of a firearm.

Verdict:  NOT GUILTY on all counts!

Facts of the case:  In the early morning hours outside of the Flying Fox Restaurant two former employees were shot by a Rolling 20s gang member - one in the head and one in the chest.  The Defendant was arrested based on an identification by one of the victims from an LAPD Rolling 20s gang book.  The other victim and a witness also identified the Defendant as the shooter.  This was an "Identification" case.  At trial the defense challenged the victim and witness ID of the Defendant.

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Case:  People v. Green

Type of case: Assault with a deadly weapon (gun)

Verdict: NOT GUILTY on all counts!

Facts of the case: Four local gang members were driving up the street when they saw a lone rival gang member standing on the corner.  One of the gang members in the car called out to the rival gang member on the corner and words were exchanged.  The car pulled immediately into a parking lot where a fight ensued.  A number of other rival gang members rushed into the parking lot when suddenly shots rang out.  Two of the gang members from the car were shot; one was shot twice in the chest and one was shot once in the back.  All four gang members were alleged to have told the police that the shooter was Mr. Green.  At trial the gang members denied making the identification but the police testified that all four gang members positively identified Mr. Green as the shooter - all four saying they knew him from the neighborhood.  The defense challenged the credibility of the police officer who took the original report and the Detective who used that report as the basis of his investigation and ultimate arrest of Mr. Green.

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Case:  People v. McGarrah

Type of case: Attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon (gun)

Verdict: NOT GUILTY on all counts!

Facts of the case: Mr. McGarrah was with a friend when he recognized a couple of friends from school across the street.  Mr. McGarrah called out to his friends, who happened to be gang members from a different neighborhood, and went across the street to talk to them.  A fight broke out and the young man who had also crossed the street after Mr. McGarrah shot one of the other young men.  This was considered a gang bang gone bad case by the District Attorney.

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Case:  People v. Sanders

Type of case: Attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon (gun)

Verdict: Hung jury

Facts of the case: Mr. Sander's adult daughter befriended an older gentleman who fancied himself a "preacher" and who liked to do favors for her.  On one occasion, according to the daughter, the "preacher man" took her to buy marijuana.  When they got back to his house she lit up a joint, smoked it, and then he made unwanted sexual advances towards her.  She fled his house immediately.  A few days later a truck with three passengers came to the "preacher man's" house, called the "preacher" out and after a brief argument between the driver of the truck and the "preacher" shots rang out striking the "preacher" several times.  The District Attorney filed charges against Mr. Sanders on the "vengeful father" theory.  After two trials, both of which ended in a hung jury, and on the first day of the third trial, medical evidence was discovered that showed that the "preacher man" had lied about where and how he had been shot.  After discussions with the District Attorney regarding this new evidence, instead of risking a third hung jury, or worse, an aquittal, the District Attorney decided to drop the attempted murder charges and Mr. Sanders pled to the assault with a firearm charges. Mr. Sanders was released later that day for time served.

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Case:  People v. Thompson

Type of case:  Battery (Against Norwalk City Councilman JESSE LUERA)

Verdict:  NOT GUILTY!

Facts of the case:  Mr. Thompson went to Luera's Cleaners shortly after they opened to get a jacket cleaned for a wedding. He asked Mrs. Luera for same day service, even offering to pay extra money when she said they could not accomodate him. Mr. Thompson continued to insist they help him when Mr. Luera, City Councilman for the CIty of Norwalk, told Mr. Thompson they could not help him and ordered him to leave the store; an argument ensued. Mr. Luera claimed that Mr. Thompson spat in his face before leaving the store. As Mr. Thompson exited the cleaners Councilman Luera threw a telephone at Mr. Thompson striking him in the shoulder. Mr. Luera called the local Sheriff's Department and reported the crime. Mr. Luera was not charged with battery.