LAPD Detective Accused of Murder Faces Hearing

Monday, 07 December 2009 04:06 AM EST ET

LOS ANGELES -- A veteran Los Angeles police detective is due in court to hear whether there is enough evidence against her in connection with the decades-old murder of her ex-boyfriend's wife.

A preliminary hearing for 49-year-old Stephanie Lazarus is scheduled to start Monday.

Lazarus was charged with murder in the February 1986 shooting death of Sherri Rasmussen, a hospital nursing director, at the victim's condo in Van Nuys.

Authorities say the detective was tied to the crime through a DNA match of saliva taken from bite marks on the 29-year-old victim.

The murder charge includes the special circumstance allegation of murder during the commission of a burglary. Lazarus also faces a separate allegation of personal use of a handgun.

Prosecutors have yet to decide whether to seek the death penalty.

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LOS ANGELES -- A veteran Los Angeles police detective is due in court to hear whether there is enough evidence against her in connection with the decades-old murder of her ex-boyfriend's wife.A preliminary hearing for 49-year-old Stephanie Lazarus is scheduled to start...
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2009-06-07
Monday, 07 December 2009 04:06 AM
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