Latest Legal News from the Criminal Courts of Los Angeles, California and the U.S.

April 10, 2008

Man Charged with Murdering Girlfriend, Attempting to Kill Police Officers

LOS ANGELES – A Los Angeles man involved in a standoff with police last week after the shooting death of his girlfriend was charged by the District Attorney’s office today with murder and attempted murder.

Rene Sajid Munoz, 39 (dob 3-21-1979), was scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon in Los Angeles Superior Court Department 30. He was charged in case No. BA338780 with one count of murder, four counts of attempted murder and four counts of assault with a firearm upon a peace officer. The complaint alleged that the defendant used a handgun and shotgun to commit the crimes.

Bail was recommended at $7.42 million for the defendant, who was arrested by Glendale and Los Angeles police late last Thursday night after a standoff at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale. The defendant was wounded by police after he allegedly drove his sports utility vehicle at them.

Authorities said the girlfriend, 37-year-old Kelly McCowen was shot and killed outside a bowling alley in the 4600 block of West Venice Boulevard in the mid-Wilshire area of Los Angeles about 8 p.m. on April 3. McCowen, who had recently resumed a live-in relationship with the defendant, was at a bowling tournament, authorities said. She was shot with a handgun.

Munoz drove to Forest Lawn, authorities said, and allegedly called friends. Glendale police arrived and shots were fired. The defendant allegedly also had a shotgun. He was arrested shortly after midnight on Friday.

The defendant faces multiple life prison terms if convicted.

Deputy District Attorney Marguerite F. Rizzo of the Family Violence Division will prosecute the case.

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CALIFORNIA CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER

JOSEPH SHEMARIA

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Latest Legal News from the Criminal Courts of Los Angeles, California and the U.S.