Ex-Detective Wants Murder Case Dismissed
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An attorney for a former detective accused of killing her ex-boyfriend's wife 23 years ago asked a court to dismiss the case.
He claimed police originally missed evidence that would have implicated his client, Stephanie Lazarus. Attorney Mark Overland said the long delay in naming the 49-year-old Lazarus as a suspect deprived her of due process rights because evidence, such as taped witness interviews, was lost.
Lazarus faces a murder charge in the 1986 slaying of Sherri Rasmussen. Lazarus pleaded not guilty.
Rasmussen's body was found at her Van Nuys condominium. Authorities linked Lazarus to the crime using DNA evidence.
Lazarus was arrested at Parker Center. Investigators walked across the hall to make the arrest the 25-year LAPD veteran.
Detectives at the time of the original investigation were convinced the suspects were two men who had conducted an armed robbery at a nearby house.
The only item take from the condo was Rasmussen's marriage license.
