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

July 23, 2009

Felon Convicted of First-Degree Murder In Chatsworth Clerk’s Beating Death

SAN FERNANDO – A San Fernando Superior Court jury deliberated just four hours before finding a 35-year-old felon guilty today of first-degree murder in the baseball bat beating of a Chatsworth mini-mart clerk three years ago.

Deputy District Attorney Jeffrey Stodel said the jury also found true the special allegation that Frank Erik Kaatz personally used a dangerous weapon, a bat, to fatally beat Hiran Ediriweera nine times in the head. The attack occurred on Oct. 13, 2006.

Stodel said Kaatz wanted to commit suicide by cop when he went to the AM/PM mini-market in the 20400 block of Devonshire Street. Kaatz told police he murdered the victim to draw police to the scene. His plan was to rush police with the bat and be killed by gunfire. But Stodel said Kaatz changed his mind and ran and hid on the roof of the next door Denny’s before police arrived.

Kaatz, who was convicted of attempted murder and robbery and sentenced to 14 years in state prison in 1994, faces more than 75 years in state prison as a “Third Striker.” He is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Cynthia Ulfig on Aug. 17 in Department G.

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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.