Accused Officers Plead Not Guilty
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A Los Angeles police captain, sergeant and two officers pleaded not guilty Friday to misdemeanor charges stemming from an overzealous narcotics raid that left four apartments in shambles.
Capt. Thomas D. Elfmont, former commander of the Police Department’s Southwest Division, Sgt. Charles Spicer and Officers Todd Parrick and Charles Wilson denied one count each of conspiracy and vandalism. Wilson also denied a charge of obstructing or delaying the investigation of the case.
Because the charges are misdemeanors, the officers were allowed to skip their Municipal Court arraignment and instead enter their pleas through their lawyers.
Municipal Court Commissioner Ralph Amado allowed the four officers to remain free on their own recognizance and scheduled a Sept. 13 hearing to set a trial date. If convicted, the officers could be sentenced to a year in County Jail and be fined $10,000.
The district attorney’s office said the charges stem from a drug raid Aug. 1, 1988, after which officers left four apartments in Southwest Los Angeles in shambles and uninhabitable.
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