LAPD Detective To Plead Not Guilty To Murder Charge

LAPD Detective Stephanie Lazarus, also known as Stephanie Young, will enter a plea of Not Guilty to the charge of Murder at her arraignment tomorrow at the Criminal Courts building in downtown Los Angeles.

Lazarus is accused of murdering her ex-boyfriend's wife in 1986. LAPD Detectives found a reference to Lazarus in the Case File and matched her DNA to the crime scene. Detectives working across the hall from Lazarus collected her saliva from styrofoam cups she had discarded.

Lazarus will appear for a preliminary hearing within the next 60 days unless she waives her right to a speedy trial. The court will then determine if there is enough evidence to bind Lazarus over for trial on the charges.

In California, defendants must be brought to trial within 60 days unless they waive the time requirement. Her defense lawyer will not argue the merits of the prosecutions evidence at the arraignment but may request a continuance before entering a plea.

UPDATE June 9, 2009: Lawyers for Stephanie Lazarus requested and received a continuance of her arraignment until July 6, 2009. Meanwhile, LAPD detectives have searched her home in the 4000 block of Persido Avenue in Simi Valley, California. Sphere: Related Content