LINDA MARIE MITCHELL
LINDA MARIE MITCHELL
Called as a witness by the People,
was sworn and testified as follows:
DIRECT EXAMINATION
BY MR. COEN
Q: Officer Mitchell, what is your occupation and assignment?
A: I’m a paramedic with the L.A. City Fire Department.
Q: And directing your attention to July 1, 1981, just shortly before 4:00 o’clock in the afternoon: Did you respond to 8763 Wonderland Avenue in Los Angeles?
A: Yes, I did.
Q: For what purpose was that, Ma’am?
A: We had a call, our dispatcher called and said we had a possible dead body at the scene.
Q: And referring to People’s 1-A and 1-B of the chart, in the area marked S. Launius in bedroom number one did you see this person?
A: Yes I did.
Q: Was this a female, by the way?
A: Yes it was.
Q: In what condition was this person in?
A: She was lying on the floor. She had a lot of head injuries. She had an amputated finger. The patient at that time was semi-conscious. We were unable to get any information from her, Her vital signs were within stable limits. She was completely incoherent.
Q: But she was alive?
A: She was alive. Yes.
Q: You say her finger was amputated. Was it a fresh amputation? By that I mean it was not –
A: No. It was a fresh amputation.
Q: Was there a lot of blood in the area of the person, S. Launius?
A: Yes. There was blood. It was mainly on the wall right behind her head. Her head was pretty close to the wall. There was blood all over the wall behind her.
Q: And what was the condition of her head?
A: Her head had a lot of – we couldn’t determine at the time what the cause – what the damage was caused by, but it was on the top of her head, she had a lot of deep wounds.
Q: Did you notice anything, any of the other victims in the residence?
A: Yes, we examined all the other four and pronounced all of them deceased.
Q: The only person that was alive was S. Launius in the People’s Diagram 1-A?
A: That is correct.
Q: Did you cause this person to be transported to a hospital?
A: That is correct. I transported her to Cedars.[1]
MR. COEN: I have nothing further.
CROSS EXAMINATION
BY MR. HANSON:
Q: Miss Mitchell, what time did you arrive again?
A: We arrived at approximately 1600 hours.
Q: When you say “we” who are you referring to?
A: Okay. There was myself and my partner.
Q: Just two of you?
A: That is correct.
Q: Aside from the five victims or bodies that you saw in the residence were there other people in the residence when you arrived?
A: In the home itself?
Q: Yes, Ma’am.
A: There was an engine company on the scene. They preceded us. We had four people from the engine company there, my partner and myself.
Q: Did you see any people that did not appear to be connected with the paramedics or fire department or some other official sources?
A: Not inside the home itself.
Q: Did you see people outside the home?
A: There were several people on the sidewalk, which is normal any time you have a lot of fire engines and –
Q: With regard to the four people that were pronounced dead, did you personally physically examine those four people?
A: I pronounced two of the people; my partner pronounced the other two.
Q: And those two – strike that – did those four people appear to you to have been dead for some period of time?
A: We are not the coroner. We couldn’t determine the time of death. They were, very obviously, dead, though.
Q: Did you notice any blood on them?
A: Yes, they all had blood on them.
Q: Did the blood appear to be dry?
A: Yes, sir.
Q: With regard to the one party that was still living – that was Susan Launius. Is that correct?
A: Yes, sir. From what I understand. At the time we couldn’t get the name out of her. We just had her as Jane Doe.
Q: You told us that she apparently was talking but her speech was either garbled or incoherent? Is that correct?
A: She was not really talking. She was moaning more than anything and she was mumbling a word occasionally but it didn’t make any sense to me.
Q: Were you with her from the time that you found her until she was taken to the hospital?
A: Either my partner or I were with her.
Q: And how much time transpired from the time you found her until she was taken and delivered to the hospital?
A: Till the time we loaded her up in the ambulance to get ready to leave for the hospital? Approximately 10 minutes.
Q: And how long did the ride to the hospital take?
A: 15 minutes.
Q: Were you with her when she was being treated at the hospital?
A: No, sir.
Q: During any of the time that you were with her did she make any statements to you that made any sense to you?
A: No, sir. She did not.
Q: Did you relate to the police whatever statements she did make, whether they were intelligible or unintelligible?
A: She didn’t actually make any statements to us.
Q: I see. Nothing further, Your Honor.
THE COURT: Redirect?
MR. COEN: Nothing, Your Honor.
THE COURT: Thank you very much, Miss Mitchell. You may step down and you are excused.
MR. COEN: Thank you, Your Honor. The People call Susan Launius.
SUSAN LAUNIUS
Called as a witness by the People,
was sworn and testified as follows:
DIRECT EXAMINATION
BY MR. COEN:
Q: Miss Launius, were you the wife of Ronald Launius?
A: Yes.
Q: And directing your attention to sometime around June 30 of 1981, did you go to the residence at 8763 Wonderland Avenue in Los Angeles?
A: Yes.
Q: Was this your husband’s house?
A: Yes.
Q: At the time you were not living with him?
A: No, I wasn’t.
Q: And do you recall if you spent the night there?
A: Yes. I believe I did.
Q: And do you recall laying down on a bed?
A: Yes.
Q: And were you laying down alone or was there someone with you?
A: Ron was with me.
Q: Miss Launius, what is the next thing you remember?
A: I was laying down on the bed and I believe I was watching TV and it seemed like there was a bunch of people coming in and out. Then, at one point it seemed like some people were moving faster.
Q: By “fast” you mean like running or something else?
A: Just kind of walking fast, the movements.
Q: Walking into your room or the room you were laying down in?
A: Yes.
Q: What is the next thing you remember after that?
A: Nothing.
Q: Do you remember being in a hospital?
A: Yes.
Q: How long were you in the hospital?
A: About two and a half months.
Q: Do you recall if you had any injuries?
A: Yes.
Q: What was that, Ma’am?
A: Massive head injuries and my left leg partly paralyzed because of my head injuries.
Q: Did you lose a finger?
A: And a finger.
Q: Have you had any operations in the hospital?
A: Yes. They operated on my head.
Q: Did they remove a large portion of your skull?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you know the defendant seated at the end of the table? Do you know that man?
A: No, I don’t.
MR. COEN: I have nothing further.
THE COURT: Cross-examination.
CROSS EXAMINATION
BY MR. HANSON:
Q: Mrs. Launius, I’m just going to ask you a few questions and I will tell you in advance that based upon your apparent delicate condition of health, if at any time you feel that the questions require you to take a break or something, you let me know. Is that fair?
A: Okay.
Q: Can you tell us what time you arrived at the location in the map to your left?
A: What time?
Q: Yes, Ma’am.
A: It was early morning.
Q: What does that mean?
A: Early morning hours, about – I can’t quite remember – but it was early.
Q: 8:00 o’clock would be –
A: Around 7:00.
Q: 7:00 or 8:00 in the morning?
A: Yes.
Q: How did you arrive there?
A: With my husband.
Q: You arrived at that location with Ron?
A: Yes.
Q: In his car?
A: I believe it was his car. I don’t know.
Q: Can you tell us how you were dressed?
A: I had a pair of blue jeans on and a shirt and a pair of brown heels.
Q: Had you ever been there (8763 Wonderland) before?
A: No, I hadn’t.
Q: From the time you arrived did you continually remain there?
A: Yes.
Q: You didn’t leave for any purpose that you can recall at this moment?
A: No.
Q: You do recall at some point prior to the time that you were hurt being in bed watching television? Is that correct?
A: I don’t know if I was watching TV or not but I remember laying in bed beside Ron.
Q: Can you give us any reference point to approximately what time that would be?
A: I don’t remember.
Q: When you arrived at 8:00 o’clock in the morning obviously the sun was out?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you recall at anytime during your stay at that residence that the sun set?
A: No.
Q: You don’t?
A: I don’t recall.
Q: You don’t?
A: I don’t recall.
Q: You don’t recall, then, the approach of dark?
A: I can’t remember.
Q: Do you recall anything that you might have seen on TV with regard to the type of program?[2]
A: I don’t remember.
Q: During the time that you were there did you see other people come and go in the house?
A: Yes.
Q: Were you introduced to some of the people?
A: No. They were like shadows, sort of.
Q: When you arrived there did you see anybody?
A: Yes.
Q: Those people didn’t appear to be shadows then, did they?
A: No.
Q: Did you meet any of those people?
A: Yes.
Q: Were you given names?
A: Only one I remember is Joy.
Q: Someone by the name of Joy?
A: Uh-huh.
Q: Now, when you were in bed with Ron were you still dressed?
A: Yes.
Q: Well, let me finish my question. Were you still dressed in the same attire that you wore when you first went there?
A: Yes.
Q: You don’t recall, then, if you had put on pajamas or something else?
A: No, I don’t.
Q: You were later taken to a hospital?
A: Yes.
Q: Had you seen pictures of yourself at the time that your body was found?
A: Yes.
Q: All right. Is the clothing depicted in that picture or those pictures the same clothing that you recall wearing to the location?
A: No.
Q: The clothing was different?
A: I didn’t have any clothing. I, all I remember is pictures of me when I was injured.
Q: Well, in the pictures of yourself in which you appear to be injured, are you clothed?
A: No.
Q: There is no clothing shown at all?
A: No.
Q: Now, when you refer to “shadows” are those images that you recall seeing at some point during the day or evening at the location?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you recall hearing any sounds of a disturbing nature, of furniture being moved or banging or anything of that sort?
A: No
Q: Now, when you say that you were in the bedroom with Ron, is that the upstairs bedroom or downstairs?
A: Downstairs.
Q: When you say you recall shadows, can you tell us how many shadows you recall?
A: I remember around three or – three shadows that I can remember.
Q: Do you recall talking to an officer or officers after this incident happened?
A: No.
Q: Well, at some point before testifying today you have talked to somebody about what you recall or don’t recall. Is that correct?
A: Yes.
Q: And do you recall having made a statement to the officers in the past that you recalled being in bed with Ron when three individuals came through the door?
A: I’m not sure of there were three or more or –
Q: Well, all I’m asking you at this point is this: Do you recall making a statement to an officer or officers that three individuals came into the bedroom?
THE COURT: The question is: Do you recall making that statement?
THE WITNESS: I recall making a statement that I seen shadows but –
BY MR. HANSON:
Q: You don’t recall, then, telling the officers in any statement that you might have made to them how many people came into the room. Is that correct?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you recall describing one of the people who came into the room as a man with very dark eyes?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you have a recollection of that incident? Is that correct?
A: Yes.
Q: Now by “dark eyes” would that be black or brown?
A: They seemed like they were brown. Just dark eyes, kind of looked right through me.
Q: That person injure you in any way, that you recall?
A: I don’t remember.
Q: So a person and at some point thereafter?
A: I, I was in the living room. I remember that. And I was standing there and that person came up to me and just kind of looked, looked straight at me.
Q: Did the person say anything to you?
A: I don’t remember.
Q: Do you recall the race of that person?
A: He looked to me like he was colored.
Q: A black man?
A: Yes.
Q: Do you recall his age?
A: He seemed very – umm – around 30 or something. He was kind of young looking and very well dressed.
Q: Do you recall anything about his physical description, as far as size or weight?
A: He was, I remember he was slender but that is all I can remember.
Q: That person you recall looking at you in the manner that you felt to be unusual, is that correct?
A: Yes.
Q: Would you describe it as a hostile manner?
A: He just stared through me. I don’t –
Q: Now, aside from that person we have been talking about, you also have a recollection of some other number of shadowy figures? Is that correct?
A: Yes.
Q: Do those other figures in your memory also appear to you to be of the black race?
A: No.
Q: With regard to those other individuals, can you tell me if they appeared to be younger or older than the –
A: I don’t remember.
Q: -- than the one person that you do recall?
A: No. I don’t remember.
Q: Now, Mr. Coen – he is the District Attorney here – asked you if you ever saw the man to my left. Do you recall that question?
A: Yes.
Q: And what I am asking you right now is, I want you to take a very careful look at the man to my left. Can you see him clearly?
A: I see him.
Q: Can you see the color of his eyes?
A: Yes.
Q: You can see the color of his hair?
A: Yes.
Q: And I’m going to ask him to stand up for a minute. Will you stand up, Mr. Holmes?
THE COURT: The record will reflect Mr. Hanson has had the defendant, Mr. Holmes, stand.
BY MR. HANSON:
Q: Now can you see him clearly?
A: Yes.
Q: And is it your testimony that you have never seen this man in your life?
A: No, I don’t remember seeing him.
MR. HANSON: I have nothing further, Your Honor.
THE COURT: Redirect?
MR. COEN: Thank you, Your Honor.
REDIRECT EXAMIATION
BY MR. COEN:
Q: This black person that you saw –
A: Well, he seemed to me like he was not, he was light complected, sort of like high yellow.
Q: By “high yellow”, for the record, you are referring to a light complected black person?
A: Yes.
Q: Now, this was prior to going to bed? Prior to laying down in the room with Ron Launius, if you recall?
A: I don’t remember.
Q: Was this one of the visitors to the house?
A: I don’t remember. It seems like it happened when I first got there.
Q: When you first got there.
A: Yes.
Q: Do you recall which room that you saw this person?
A: In the living room.
MR. COEN: I have nothing further.
THE COURT: Recross?
MR. HANSON: No recross. Your Honor.
THE COURT: Thank you very much, Mrs. Launius.
MR. COEN: The People call Robert Sexton.
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[1] Cedars-Sinai Hospital on Beverly Boulevard in Los Angeles
[2] The Top 10 TV Shows for 1981-82 were (1) “Dallas”, (2) “60 Minutes”, (3) “The Jeffersons”, (4) TIE: “Joanie Loves Chachi”/”Three’s Company”, (5) “Alice”, (6) TIE: “The Dukes of Hazzard”/“Too Close For Comfort”, (7) “ABC Monday Night Movie”, (8) “M*A*S*H”, (9) “One Day at a Time”, (10) “NFL Monday Night Football”
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