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Volume 8 Issue 86
Santa Monica Daily Press SCARY FASHION SEE PAGE 10
Since 2001: A news odyssey
THE E-MAIL US ISSUE
Suspect held in ‘98 slaying of tourist BY GREG RISLING Associated Press Writer
LOS ANGELES A man wanted in connection with the murder of a German tourist near a seaside Santa Monica hotel in 1998 has been arrested in Jamaica, authorities said Thursday. Paul Carpenter, 31, was captured Wednesday in the Caribbean nation where he lived under a false identity and worked at a BMW car dealership in Kingston, FBI spokeswoman Laura Eimiller said. He was expected to return to California on Friday. Carpenter had eluded authorities for more than 10 years and was the last out-
standing suspect in the murder of Horst Fietze, 50, of Lobau, Germany. Fietze and his wife were confronted by two men and a woman on the night of Oct. 12, 1998, as they and some friends walked near a hotel in Santa Monica. Fietze apparently could not understand the robbers’ demands and was shot when he refused to hand over a bag. As Fietze lay dying, the three ran back to the car and fled without taking anything, police said. No one else was hurt. A hotel security camera recorded the crime on videotape and police matched fingerprints found in the car to two of the suspects.
FBI agents believe Carpenter fled to Jamaica soon after the crime and was living among a circle of friends. He also had a 3year-old child. Carpenter was charged a decade ago with one count of murder and three counts of attempted robbery, said Jane Robison, a spokeswoman with the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office. California law allows murder charges to be filed against anyone involved in a crime that results in a death. Fietze’s murder was the first of seven killings in a six-week span that shattered the feeling of security in Santa Monica. Four of the killings were gang-related, police said.
Three people have been convicted and sentenced for their roles in the fatal shooting. The gunman, Lamont Dion Santos, was sentenced to 35 years to life in prison, while the getaway driver, Roshana Latiesha Roberts, was sentenced to 13 years and four months in state prison. An accomplice, Tyrina Lakeisha Griffin, was sentenced to 16 years to life in prison. Roberts and Griffin were arrested in December 1998. Santos was arrested in January 1999 in South Carolina. The FBI found Carpenter living in Jamaica after receiving an anonymous tip. The person who gave the information will be eligible for a $20,000 reward, authorities said.
Upscale food to be featured at SM Place BY MELODY HANATANI Daily Press Staff Writer
DOWNTOWN The future of Santa Monica Place is starting to take shape. Standing at what will become the openair rooftop dining deck, officials with Macerich on Thursday announced one by one the latest restaurant and retailers to sign on with the renovated shopping mall, naming the new tenants as construction work continued around them. The 11 new businesses include three sitdown establishments that will be located on the third floor, including two by chef and restaurateur Richard Sandoval, who plans to bring his signature brand — La Sandia, which offers upscale Mexican cuisine — and Zengo, which combines Latin and Asian flavors. Pizza Antica, a Northern Californiabased restaurant that specializes in handmade pies, will add an Italian flavor to the deck. They will join Ozumo Sushi and XINO SEE MALL PAGE 7
Brandon Wise brandonw@smdp.com
SAFETY FIRST: Students and teachers from Crossroads School leave one of the institution's campuses on Olympic Boulevard Thursday.
Colorado a popular choice for Expo Light Rail route BY MELODY HANATANI Daily Press Staff Writer
OLYMPIC BLVD It happens every day before and after school, groups of young children walking up and down the busy corridor here, carrying backpacks and chatting as
Gary Limjap
cars speed by. While it’s hardly the most pedestrianoriented street, parents at Crossroads School fear that it will be even less so if Olympic Boulevard is chosen as the route for the anticipated Exposition Light Rail when it comes to Downtown Santa Monica
Five generations of family jewelers
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from Culver City. Parents and administrators of the private school, which has two campuses along the boulevard, came out in full force at the City Council meeting earlier this week
SAMUEL B. MOSES, CPA
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