Former pro boxer Exum Speight pleads no contest to killing manager

A former professional boxer pleaded no contest Tuesday to killing his manager in 1987, closing the book on a once-cold case that was resolved with the help of DNA evidence, authorities said.

Exum Speight, who turns 52 next week, entered the plea to one count of voluntary manslaughter at the Airport Courthouse, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office. He was immediately sentenced to 11 years in prison.

Speight, perhaps best known for losing a 1996 bout with heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko, was arrested more than a quarter-century after Douglas Stumler was found dead in his West L.A. apartment.

Stumler, a 30-year-old Los Angeles County Housing Authority employee, had a side job as a boxing manager and worked with Speight, police said. The two even lived together at one point, a Los Angeles police detective testified at a preliminary hearing.

Two weeks before he was killed, Stumler kicked Speight out of the apartment.

Stumler was last seen on March 29, 1987, when he returned to his apartment after spending time that day with a friend, police said. His body was found about two days later. Stumler had not shown up to work and missed a gathering to watch the NCAA basketball championship, police said, prompting concern from friends.

Investigators said there was evidence of a struggle inside Stumler’s apartment. Stumler had multiple injuries from a beating, police said.

After the slaying, Speight was interviewed by police but connections were tenuous. The case grew cold, but in 2012, DNA found on Stumler’s body matched that of Speight.

An LAPD-FBI fugitive task force arrested Speight at his San Fernando home in September 2013. At the time, his most recent job was as a security guard at a Venice Beach marijuana clinic.

For breaking news in California, follow @MattHjourno.

Times staff writer Kate Mather contributed to this report.

ALSO

Hayward police officer reportedly killed in shooting after traffic stop

28-year-old San Pedro teacher accused of sexually abusing her student

Family of college student killed by Long Beach police move toward lawsuit