Jesse James Hollywood
Encyclopedia
Jesse James Hollywood is a former drug dealer who kidnapped and ordered the murder of Nicholas Markowitz
and is serving life without parole for the murder in the California prison system
.
. As a child he was involved in junior baseball league. His father moved the family to Colorado
in attempt to run a restaurant in the mid-1990s, but returned to West Hills in 1995.
Hollywood attended El Camino Real High School
where he played baseball
. During his adolescent years he started power lifting and ingesting muscle supplements to help build up his muscle mass. His coach would later describe him as an "emotional kid" who was later expelled for erupting into a violent fit of rage at one of his teachers near the end of his sophomore
year. He transferred to Calabasas High School
where he played on the varsity baseball team until he injured his back and leg, forcing him to give up the sport. Investigators believe that he started selling marijuana a year before he committed the murder of Nicholas Markowitz. He recruited his former high school friends William Skidmore, Brian Affronti, Benjamin Markowitz and Jesse Rugge
to dispense narcotics for him and build up a profitable illicit drug operation. He had been a close friend of Benjamin Markowitz, playing on the same junior baseball league and would visit the same Malibu, California gymnasium to exercise together.
. He supplied drugs to Ryan Hoyt
, the man who would later be convicted for the murder of Nicholas Markowitz and co-conspirators Jesse Rugge
, William Skidmore and Graham Pressley.
The feud between Benjamin Markowitz, Nicholas Markowitz's half-brother, and Jesse James Hollywood, began over the alleged debt to Hollywood incurred by Markowitz of $1,200. On August 6, 2000, Hollywood and several of his gang members decided to confront Benjamin. On their way to see him, however, they saw Nicholas Markowitz walking on the side of the road, having run away from home. Hollywood and his gang decided to abduct Nicholas in broad daylight in order to hold him for ransom in lieu of Benjamin Markowitz' debt. They chased, assaulted, and abducted Nicholas, escaping in a van. He then returned the van to the owner--his dad's friend John Roberts.
Nicholas, Hollywood, and his gang then traveled to a motel in Santa Barbara, California, called the Lemon Tree Inn, where they held a party. After the party, members of Jesse's gang allowed Nicholas to believe that he was heading home soon. Hollywood called Ryan Hoyt
, a crew-member of Jesse's gang who was also $1,200 in debt to him, to "take care of" Nicholas, giving him a Tec-9
. Two members of the crew decided to commit the murder in the Goleta
Hills north of Santa Barbara, California
. The two dug a shallow grave and returned to the hotel to pick up Nicholas and drive him to the mountains. Before Hoyt headed up to Lemon Tree Inn, Hollywood borrowed a vehicle that belonged to the mother of a friend, claiming he needed it to help him move; he really used it, however, as transportation to the murder scene. Hollywood let Hoyt drive the borrowed car and Hollywood drove his girlfriend's car to celebrate her birthday at the Outback Steakhouse while Hoyt and the crew killed Nick Markowitz.
Within a few days, police began arresting the crew members based on tips.
and later on, of Saquarema
. In an attempt to blend in with the countryside he took up the Portuguese language
. He worked in Brazil by putting up posters advertising a nightclub and later landed a job teaching private English language
classes and being a dog walker. Yet, the bulk of the money Hollywood lived off came from a $1,200 monthly stipend
funneled by his father. While in Brazil, he met Marcia Reis who became pregnant by Hollywood. Jesse James believed the pregnancy would protect him from extradition to the United States as Brazilian law stated "If you're the father of a native Brazilian, you cannot be extradited" (See the case of Ronald Biggs); however, Jesse James was wrong about the Brazilian laws, which had been changed since the international controversy with Biggs. Additionally, he was in Brazil as an illegal immigrant because he had arrived in the country with a false passport, a fact that already would have allowed his deportation, regardless of his fathering a child with a native Brazilian.
United States authorities worked with Brazilian agents and found out that Hollywood was supposed to meet a cousin in a mall. He was arrested by Brazilian authorities in Saquarema in March 2005. In July 2005 Reis gave birth to Hollywood's son, named John Paul Hollywood-Reis.
He was profiled on America's Most Wanted
from September 2000- June 2004 and twice in 2005 after being captured. NBC
's Dateline
and Fox Network's America's Most Wanted
have covered this story extensively.
While Hollywood was in Brazil, all participants in the murder were convicted or made pleas. Hoyt is currently on death row
at San Quentin State Prison
in California, Graham Pressley was released from the California Youth Authority Facility in 2007, and Jesse Rugge is currently serving a life sentence in Pleasant Valley State Prison
. William Skidmore was released in April 2009 after serving 9 years behind bars for the kidnapping.
In 2005, on the same day Jesse James was arrested in Brazil
, his father was arrested for manufacturing the illicit narcotic GHB
, but the charge was later thrown out in court. Jack remained in custody on an outstanding 2002 warrant for a marijuana-related charge, and later received 18 months in an Arizona
prison.
, based on Jesse Hollywood and the kidnap and murder of Nicholas Markowitz, premiered. During filming, Santa Barbara County Deputy District Attorney
Ronald J. Zonen provided copies of many documents on the case and served as an unpaid consultant to the film, citing his desire to have Hollywood captured. Zonen prosecuted Hollywood’s co-defendants and was poised to prosecute Hollywood. James Blatt, Hollywood's defense attorney, claimed there was a conflict of interest, and the California Court of Appeal
for the Second District ruled on October 5, 2006 that, based on Zonen's disclosure of the files and consultant service—he should be recused
from further involvement in prosecuting Hollywood. On December 20, 2006, the California Supreme Court granted review on the case effectively staying the order to recuse Zonen.
On May 12, 2008, the California Supreme Court ruled that Zonen should not be recused. Nonetheless, Zonen was replaced with Joshua Lynn
, who is serving as lead prosecution attorney. While in jail Hollywood began signing his mail as "Alpha Dog" and had mentioned an "Alpha Dog World Tour."
After the Court review, in June 2008 his trial date was set to begin February 19, 2009, but it was delayed. Three months later the murder trial officially started Friday May 15th with the defense's opening statements saying Hollywood was not involved with the murder. In his opening statement, Santa Barbara County Deputy Dist. Atty. Joshua Lynn described Hollywood as "a ruthless coward." On Monday May 18th witnesses called to the stand were Jeff Markowitz (the victim's father), Pauline Mahoney (who was driving with her sons when she saw a group of men attacking Markowitz), and Brian Affonti (a one time friend of Hollywood's who was picked up after the kidnapping). Affonti told the jury that he knew about Hollywood's gun, a TEC-9, which is the alleged murder weapon. Chas Salsbury, Hollywood's getaway driver, testified at trial that following the murder "Hollywood seemed remorseful, depressed, and at some points even suicidal."
Saulsbury continued on the fifth day with Kelly Carpenter discussing the actions of Rugge and Pressley’s mother. The following day had testimony from Rugge childhood friend, Richard Hoeflinger, who spoke about what he witnessed. Subsequently, several Santa Barbarans told the jury about events leading to Nick Markowitz’s murder.
At the start of the second week Michelle Lasher, Hollywood's former girlfriend, testified that she still loved Hollywood while being emotional and was hostile to prosecution. Lasher also admitted on the witness stand to lying to police because she didn't want him to be caught. The Hollywood family friend, attorney Stephen Hogg, told the jury about "a tense conversation in the attorney's Simi Valley backyard" where he told Jesse James "that kidnapping can carry a life sentence." Graham Pressley's testimony about the events followed Hogg's appearance. Pressley testified Rugge "told me that Jesse Hollywood offered him $2,000 to kill Nick, but [Rugge said] that that was crazy, [Hollywood] was crazy." Pressley's testimony, important for the prosecution, continued Friday and early into the third week. Then Ben Markowitz was on the stand. Then Casey Sheehan quoted Hollywood as saying that as he and his longtime friend, Hollywood, dined at an Outback Steakhouse
the suspect told to his friend “the situation” had been taken care of.http://www.independent.com/news/2009/jun/14/hollywood-friend-stand/ In the following days, various medical experts and law enforcement officials testified then the prosecution rested their case on Wednesday of the third week.
Hollywood's defense began on the Monday of the third week. Hollywood took the stand on the first day of the defense denying any role in the murder and said he was angry when Hoyt told him about the murder at a birthday party. Hollywood recounted the kidnapping, the events that led up to it, and discussed his life on the run. Hollywood's testimony lasted four days with the prosecution cross-examining Hollywood about making threats, closing bank accounts, withdrawing money, and selling his home. Much of Hollywood's responses were denials about previous witness testimony. The last witness the defense called was District Attorney investigator Paul Kimes, questioned by co-counsel Alex Kessel about phone records. Closing arguments began on Tuesday and Wednesday of the fourth week, and the case went to the jury. During closing statements, the defense said Hollywood's associates lied while the prosecution called Hollywood "a child killer." The jury considered three different charges with penalties ranging from 8 years in prison to the death penalty.
Murder of Nicholas Markowitz
Nicholas Samuel "Nick" Markowitz was a American teenager who was kidnapped and murdered at the age of 15 after a feud over drug money between his half-brother Benjamin Markowitz and Jesse James Hollywood...
and is serving life without parole for the murder in the California prison system
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is responsible for the operation of the California state prison and parole systems. CDC&R is the second largest law enforcement or police agency in the United States behind the New York City Police Department which employs approximately...
.
Childhood and adolescence
He was born to John (Jack) and Laurie Hollywood and raised in West Hills in Los AngelesWest Hills, Los Angeles, California
West Hills is an affluent community and district in the western San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles, California, United States.West Hills is bordered by Chatsworth and the Chatsworth Reservoir to the north, Canoga Park to the east, Woodland Hills to the south, Hidden Hills to the southwest,...
. As a child he was involved in junior baseball league. His father moved the family to Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
in attempt to run a restaurant in the mid-1990s, but returned to West Hills in 1995.
Hollywood attended El Camino Real High School
El Camino Real High School
El Camino Real Charter High School is a public secondary school located in the Woodland Hills district of the San Fernando Valley region of the city of Los Angeles, California...
where he played baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
. During his adolescent years he started power lifting and ingesting muscle supplements to help build up his muscle mass. His coach would later describe him as an "emotional kid" who was later expelled for erupting into a violent fit of rage at one of his teachers near the end of his sophomore
Sophomore
Sophomore is a term used in the United States to describe a student in the second year of study at high school or university.The word is also used as a synonym for "second", for the second album or EP released by a musician or group, the second movie of a director, or the second season of a...
year. He transferred to Calabasas High School
Calabasas High School
Calabasas High School is a four-year high school in Calabasas, California, United States.Calabasas High School, which serves Calabasas,and portions of West Hills, Los Angeles, California is one of three high schools in the Las Virgenes Unified School District Calabasas High School is a four-year...
where he played on the varsity baseball team until he injured his back and leg, forcing him to give up the sport. Investigators believe that he started selling marijuana a year before he committed the murder of Nicholas Markowitz. He recruited his former high school friends William Skidmore, Brian Affronti, Benjamin Markowitz and Jesse Rugge
Jesse Rugge
Jesse Taylor Rugge is one of the former members of Jesse James Hollywood's gang that helped in the murder of Nicholas Markowitz. Rugge was charged with helping in the kidnap and execution of Nicholas Markowitz....
to dispense narcotics for him and build up a profitable illicit drug operation. He had been a close friend of Benjamin Markowitz, playing on the same junior baseball league and would visit the same Malibu, California gymnasium to exercise together.
Narcotics operation and murder
Benjamin Markowitz had been one of the schoolmates that dispensed drugs for Hollywood. Jesse James started a successful auto insurance-scam where he would report one of the many cars that were registered to him stolen and collect the money. This scam was later found out by Benjamin which irritated Hollywood. At nineteen years old, Jesse's drug operation proved so successful that he was able to afford a three-story white stucco home for $200,000, situated a few blocks away from the Markowitz household. Apart from hosting barbecues, he rarely talked to his neighbors, always having his head down and remaining silent. His every day wardrobe consisted of blue jeans and tank tops. He kept two pit bulls tied to an elm tree in the backyard. Despite his thriving drug operation he had no drug convictions, except for being charged as a minor for possession of alcohol and resisting arrestResisting arrest
Resisting arrest is a term used to describe a criminal charge against an individual who has committed, depending on the jurisdiction, at least one of the following acts:* threatening a police officer with physical violence while being arrested...
. He supplied drugs to Ryan Hoyt
Ryan Hoyt
Ryan Hoyt is an associate of Jesse James Hollywood and who was convicted of the murder of Nick Markowitz on August 9, 2000...
, the man who would later be convicted for the murder of Nicholas Markowitz and co-conspirators Jesse Rugge
Jesse Rugge
Jesse Taylor Rugge is one of the former members of Jesse James Hollywood's gang that helped in the murder of Nicholas Markowitz. Rugge was charged with helping in the kidnap and execution of Nicholas Markowitz....
, William Skidmore and Graham Pressley.
The feud between Benjamin Markowitz, Nicholas Markowitz's half-brother, and Jesse James Hollywood, began over the alleged debt to Hollywood incurred by Markowitz of $1,200. On August 6, 2000, Hollywood and several of his gang members decided to confront Benjamin. On their way to see him, however, they saw Nicholas Markowitz walking on the side of the road, having run away from home. Hollywood and his gang decided to abduct Nicholas in broad daylight in order to hold him for ransom in lieu of Benjamin Markowitz' debt. They chased, assaulted, and abducted Nicholas, escaping in a van. He then returned the van to the owner--his dad's friend John Roberts.
Nicholas, Hollywood, and his gang then traveled to a motel in Santa Barbara, California, called the Lemon Tree Inn, where they held a party. After the party, members of Jesse's gang allowed Nicholas to believe that he was heading home soon. Hollywood called Ryan Hoyt
Ryan Hoyt
Ryan Hoyt is an associate of Jesse James Hollywood and who was convicted of the murder of Nick Markowitz on August 9, 2000...
, a crew-member of Jesse's gang who was also $1,200 in debt to him, to "take care of" Nicholas, giving him a Tec-9
Intratec TEC-DC9
The Intratec TEC-DC9 is a blowback-operated, semi-automatic firearm, chambered in 9×19mm Parabellum, and classified by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives as a handgun. Designed by Intratec, an American offshoot of Interdynamic AB, it is made of inexpensive molded polymers...
. Two members of the crew decided to commit the murder in the Goleta
Goleta, California
Goleta is a city in southern Santa Barbara County, California, USA. It was incorporated as a city in 2002, after a long period as the largest unincorporated, populated area in the county. As of the 2000 census, the Census-designated place had a total population of 55,204, however, a significant...
Hills north of Santa Barbara, California
Santa Barbara, California
Santa Barbara is the county seat of Santa Barbara County, California, United States. Situated on an east-west trending section of coastline, the longest such section on the West Coast of the United States, the city lies between the steeply-rising Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean...
. The two dug a shallow grave and returned to the hotel to pick up Nicholas and drive him to the mountains. Before Hoyt headed up to Lemon Tree Inn, Hollywood borrowed a vehicle that belonged to the mother of a friend, claiming he needed it to help him move; he really used it, however, as transportation to the murder scene. Hollywood let Hoyt drive the borrowed car and Hollywood drove his girlfriend's car to celebrate her birthday at the Outback Steakhouse while Hoyt and the crew killed Nick Markowitz.
Within a few days, police began arresting the crew members based on tips.
Life as a fugitive
At the time of Hoyt's arrest, Hollywood fled the country through Canada and went to Brazil with help from his father Jack, godfather Richard Dispenza (who was unaware he was a fugitive at the time), and his girlfriend at the time. Law enforcement agencies and the Markowitz family offered a reward of $30,000 leading to Hollywood's capture, this was later raised to $50,000. He lived on Copacabana Beach where he assumed the identity of "Michael Costa Giroux" and claimed to be a native of Rio de JaneiroRio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th...
and later on, of Saquarema
Saquarema
Saquarema is a town and a municipality located in the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro. Its population was 61,591 and its area is 355 km². It is located almost 100 km east of Rio de Janeiro...
. In an attempt to blend in with the countryside he took up the Portuguese language
Portuguese language
Portuguese is a Romance language that arose in the medieval Kingdom of Galicia, nowadays Galicia and Northern Portugal. The southern part of the Kingdom of Galicia became independent as the County of Portugal in 1095...
. He worked in Brazil by putting up posters advertising a nightclub and later landed a job teaching private English language
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
classes and being a dog walker. Yet, the bulk of the money Hollywood lived off came from a $1,200 monthly stipend
Stipend
A stipend is a form of salary, such as for an internship or apprenticeship. It is often distinct from a wage or a salary because it does not necessarily represent payment for work performed, instead it represents a payment that enables somebody to be exempt partly or wholly from waged or salaried...
funneled by his father. While in Brazil, he met Marcia Reis who became pregnant by Hollywood. Jesse James believed the pregnancy would protect him from extradition to the United States as Brazilian law stated "If you're the father of a native Brazilian, you cannot be extradited" (See the case of Ronald Biggs); however, Jesse James was wrong about the Brazilian laws, which had been changed since the international controversy with Biggs. Additionally, he was in Brazil as an illegal immigrant because he had arrived in the country with a false passport, a fact that already would have allowed his deportation, regardless of his fathering a child with a native Brazilian.
United States authorities worked with Brazilian agents and found out that Hollywood was supposed to meet a cousin in a mall. He was arrested by Brazilian authorities in Saquarema in March 2005. In July 2005 Reis gave birth to Hollywood's son, named John Paul Hollywood-Reis.
He was profiled on America's Most Wanted
America's Most Wanted
America's Most Wanted is an American television program produced by 20th Television, and was the longest-running program of any kind in the history of the Fox Television Network until it was announced on May 16, 2011 that the series was canceled after twenty-three years, with the final episode...
from September 2000- June 2004 and twice in 2005 after being captured. NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
's Dateline
Dateline NBC
Dateline NBC, or Dateline, is a U.S. weekly television newsmagazine broadcast by NBC. It previously was NBC's flagship news magazine, but now focuses on true crime stories. It airs Friday at 9 p.m. EST and after football season on Sunday at 7 p.m. EST.-History:Dateline is historically notable for...
and Fox Network's America's Most Wanted
America's Most Wanted
America's Most Wanted is an American television program produced by 20th Television, and was the longest-running program of any kind in the history of the Fox Television Network until it was announced on May 16, 2011 that the series was canceled after twenty-three years, with the final episode...
have covered this story extensively.
While Hollywood was in Brazil, all participants in the murder were convicted or made pleas. Hoyt is currently on death row
Death row
Death row signifies the place, often a section of a prison, that houses individuals awaiting execution. The term is also used figuratively to describe the state of awaiting execution , even in places where no special facility or separate unit for condemned inmates exists.After individuals are found...
at San Quentin State Prison
San Quentin State Prison
San Quentin State Prison is a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation state prison for men in unincorporated San Quentin, Marin County, California, United States. Opened in July 1852, it is the oldest prison in the state. California's only death row for male inmates, the largest...
in California, Graham Pressley was released from the California Youth Authority Facility in 2007, and Jesse Rugge is currently serving a life sentence in Pleasant Valley State Prison
Pleasant Valley State Prison
Pleasant Valley State Prison is a minimum/medium/maximum security state prison in Coalinga, Fresno County, California. The facility houses Sirhan Sirhan, the convicted assassin of Senator Robert F...
. William Skidmore was released in April 2009 after serving 9 years behind bars for the kidnapping.
In 2005, on the same day Jesse James was arrested in Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, his father was arrested for manufacturing the illicit narcotic GHB
Gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid
γ-Hydroxybutyric acid , also known as 4-hydroxybutanoic acid and sodium oxybate when used for medicinal purposes, is a naturally occurring substance found in the central nervous system, wine, beef, small citrus fruits, and almost all animals in small amounts. It is also categorized as an illegal...
, but the charge was later thrown out in court. Jack remained in custody on an outstanding 2002 warrant for a marijuana-related charge, and later received 18 months in an Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
prison.
Court rulings and trial
In 2006, the movie Alpha DogAlpha Dog
Alpha Dog is a 2007 crime drama film written and directed by Nick Cassavetes, first screened at the Sundance Film Festival on January 27, 2006, with a wide release the following year on January 12, 2007. The film is based on the true story of the kidnapping and murder of 15-year-old Nicholas...
, based on Jesse Hollywood and the kidnap and murder of Nicholas Markowitz, premiered. During filming, Santa Barbara County Deputy District Attorney
District attorney
In many jurisdictions in the United States, a District Attorney is an elected or appointed government official who represents the government in the prosecution of criminal offenses. The district attorney is the highest officeholder in the jurisdiction's legal department and supervises a staff of...
Ronald J. Zonen provided copies of many documents on the case and served as an unpaid consultant to the film, citing his desire to have Hollywood captured. Zonen prosecuted Hollywood’s co-defendants and was poised to prosecute Hollywood. James Blatt, Hollywood's defense attorney, claimed there was a conflict of interest, and the California Court of Appeal
California Court of Appeal
The California Courts of Appeal are the state intermediate appellate courts in the U.S. state of California. The state is geographically divided into six appellate districts...
for the Second District ruled on October 5, 2006 that, based on Zonen's disclosure of the files and consultant service—he should be recused
Recusal
Judicial disqualification, also referred to as recusal, refers to the act of abstaining from participation in an official action such as a legal proceeding due to a conflict of interest of the presiding court official or administrative officer. Applicable statutes or canons of ethics may provide...
from further involvement in prosecuting Hollywood. On December 20, 2006, the California Supreme Court granted review on the case effectively staying the order to recuse Zonen.
On May 12, 2008, the California Supreme Court ruled that Zonen should not be recused. Nonetheless, Zonen was replaced with Joshua Lynn
Joshua Lynn
Joshua E. Lynn or Joshua Lynn was the Chief Trial Deputy of Santa Barbara County, Santa Barbara, California from 2008-2010. He was the lead prosecuting attorney in the trial of Jesse James Hollywood, who was convicted and sentenced to Life in Prison on February 5, 2010.-Career:Lynn received his B.A...
, who is serving as lead prosecution attorney. While in jail Hollywood began signing his mail as "Alpha Dog" and had mentioned an "Alpha Dog World Tour."
After the Court review, in June 2008 his trial date was set to begin February 19, 2009, but it was delayed. Three months later the murder trial officially started Friday May 15th with the defense's opening statements saying Hollywood was not involved with the murder. In his opening statement, Santa Barbara County Deputy Dist. Atty. Joshua Lynn described Hollywood as "a ruthless coward." On Monday May 18th witnesses called to the stand were Jeff Markowitz (the victim's father), Pauline Mahoney (who was driving with her sons when she saw a group of men attacking Markowitz), and Brian Affonti (a one time friend of Hollywood's who was picked up after the kidnapping). Affonti told the jury that he knew about Hollywood's gun, a TEC-9, which is the alleged murder weapon. Chas Salsbury, Hollywood's getaway driver, testified at trial that following the murder "Hollywood seemed remorseful, depressed, and at some points even suicidal."
Saulsbury continued on the fifth day with Kelly Carpenter discussing the actions of Rugge and Pressley’s mother. The following day had testimony from Rugge childhood friend, Richard Hoeflinger, who spoke about what he witnessed. Subsequently, several Santa Barbarans told the jury about events leading to Nick Markowitz’s murder.
At the start of the second week Michelle Lasher, Hollywood's former girlfriend, testified that she still loved Hollywood while being emotional and was hostile to prosecution. Lasher also admitted on the witness stand to lying to police because she didn't want him to be caught. The Hollywood family friend, attorney Stephen Hogg, told the jury about "a tense conversation in the attorney's Simi Valley backyard" where he told Jesse James "that kidnapping can carry a life sentence." Graham Pressley's testimony about the events followed Hogg's appearance. Pressley testified Rugge "told me that Jesse Hollywood offered him $2,000 to kill Nick, but [Rugge said] that that was crazy, [Hollywood] was crazy." Pressley's testimony, important for the prosecution, continued Friday and early into the third week. Then Ben Markowitz was on the stand. Then Casey Sheehan quoted Hollywood as saying that as he and his longtime friend, Hollywood, dined at an Outback Steakhouse
Outback Steakhouse
Outback Steakhouse is an American casual dining restaurant chain based in Tampa, Florida with over 1200 locations in 22 countries throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. It was founded in February 1988 in Tampa by Bob Basham, Chris T...
the suspect told to his friend “the situation” had been taken care of.http://www.independent.com/news/2009/jun/14/hollywood-friend-stand/ In the following days, various medical experts and law enforcement officials testified then the prosecution rested their case on Wednesday of the third week.
Hollywood's defense began on the Monday of the third week. Hollywood took the stand on the first day of the defense denying any role in the murder and said he was angry when Hoyt told him about the murder at a birthday party. Hollywood recounted the kidnapping, the events that led up to it, and discussed his life on the run. Hollywood's testimony lasted four days with the prosecution cross-examining Hollywood about making threats, closing bank accounts, withdrawing money, and selling his home. Much of Hollywood's responses were denials about previous witness testimony. The last witness the defense called was District Attorney investigator Paul Kimes, questioned by co-counsel Alex Kessel about phone records. Closing arguments began on Tuesday and Wednesday of the fourth week, and the case went to the jury. During closing statements, the defense said Hollywood's associates lied while the prosecution called Hollywood "a child killer." The jury considered three different charges with penalties ranging from 8 years in prison to the death penalty.
Conviction and sentencing
On July 8, 2009, following three days of deliberation, the jury reached a verdict. The jury found him guilty of kidnapping and first-degree murder with special circumstances for which he can face the death penalty. On Monday July 13 the jury began the penalty phase of the trial. The mothers for the defendant and the victim took the stand. Additionally, brothers of the defendant and the victim testified and closing arguments began during the second day of the penalty phase. In July 2009, the jury recommended that Hollywood receive life in prison. On February 5, 2010, the judge sentenced Hollywood to life in prison without the possibility of parole.External links
- Jesse James Hollywood profile from America's Most WantedAmerica's Most WantedAmerica's Most Wanted is an American television program produced by 20th Television, and was the longest-running program of any kind in the history of the Fox Television Network until it was announced on May 16, 2011 that the series was canceled after twenty-three years, with the final episode...
- Jesse James Hollywood profile from the FBI
- Jesse James Hollywood story from Crime LibraryCourt TVtruTV is an American cable television network owned by Turner Broadcasting, a subsidiary of Time Warner. The network launched as Court TV in 1991, changing to truTV in 2008...