CALIFORNIA BRIEFING / LOS ANGELES
Lawyers from the state attorney general’s office filed court papers Thursday indicating they will not appeal a decision by a federal judge earlier this month to overturn the murder conviction of a San Fernando Valley man who was serving a life sentence for the 1983 slaying of his mother.
The decision by Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown removes yet another hurdle in Bruce Lisker’s bid to clear his name in connection with the beating and stabbing death of his 66-year-old mother, Dorka, in the family’s Sherman Oaks home.
“That’s great news. I’m really happy,” said Lisker, who was released from prison last week after a federal judge determined that his conviction was based on “false evidence” and that his original defense attorney did not adequately represent him.
“We are very pleased that the attorney general demonstrated the good judgment not to continue trying to uphold the conviction, and we are hopeful that the district attorney will demonstrate similarly wise judgment,” said William Genego, one of Lisker’s attorneys.
It is now up to Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Steve Cooley to retry the case. If he doesn’t, the case will be dismissed. A telephone call to Cooley’s office seeking comment was not immediately returned.
-- Scott Glover
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