An ex-CHP officer from Los Angeles has been found guilty of murder of the man she was married to for five years, and the two had just shared in the birth of a daughter, as reported by several news sites including NBC Los Angeles.
T.J. was sentenced to 50 years to life in prison after being convicted of first-degree murder in the shooting death of her husband M.L.L.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Robert J. Perry said that “the evidence strongly supports this verdict” and denied the defense’s request for a new trial.
Supporters of T.J. shouted out their love for her and said, “It's an unfair justice system” as she was led from the courtroom.
P.J., T.J.’s mother, said, “That girl worked hard. She has a lot to give to this world.” And her father, D.J., added, “She overcame all the obstacles that a black person can overcome.”
Darryl S. Stallworth, T.J.’s attorney, said to reporters, “She did not intend to kill her husband.”
Stallworth had argued that his client’s charges be reduced from murder to manslaughter – which would have given her a shorter prison sentence. But, outside of the courtroom, Stallworth told reporters, “I was emotionally disappointed, but intellectually I expected and understood that was the likelihood.”
M.L.L. also had family and supporters in the courtroom. His sister-in-law, C.L., said, “It needs to be remember that (M.L.L.) was here, he was loved, and this should not have happened to him.”
Besides the jury finding T.J. guilty of murder they also found her guilty of firing a gun and causing great bodily injury.
During the trial T.J. claimed that she did not shoot her husband but that the gun had discharged only accidentally. During her testimony she further claimed that she did not want to fire the weapon or kill her husband, saying that she wouldn’t ever “try to hurt him.”
After the two had quarreled in a restaurant on February 21, 2009, T.J. drove her husband on the Riverside Freeway. At the Central Avenue off ramp T.J. pulled the car over and got out – as she said that her husband had threatened to kill her.
As the two argued she chose to flee, only to turn around once she realized she had left her purse – which she carried her gun in – behind.
T.J. said, “I saw the gun on the ground. I made the decision to run and get it. I was scared. I didn't want to die ... When I grabbed it tight, it fired.”
After the gun discharged, T.J. pushed M.L.L. back into the car and drove him to her parent’s home. Once she arrived there she asked her father to call 911.
Two years after the shooting T.J. was arrested and charged with murder. Prior to being charged T.J. had been placed on administrative duty.
T.J.’s parents are taking care of the couple’s newborn daughter.
Contact a criminal defense attorney if you too have been charged with a crime. Because, at this time in your life, your attorney is only person that can help.
