The Region : Most-Wanted Suspect Remains in Jail

J. P. Trotter Jr., the first suspect on the Los Angeles Police Department’s 10 Most Wanted List, remained in jail for parole violation, despite dismissal of murder charges at a preliminary hearing. Trotter, 38, of Los Angeles was arrested May 7, about three months after he was placed on the list. He had been charged with the Oct. 19 strangulation of Stephanie Harris, 26, in her Hollywood apartment. Last Friday, however, Municipal Judge Rand Schrader dismissed the murder charge at a preliminary hearing. “The case was very circumstantial,” Deputy Dist. Atty. Ralph Ayala said. Under state law, however, the district attorney’s office can seek a new hearing on the basis of its continuing investigation into the Harris death. Meanwhile, Trotter remains in jail for of violating parole after serving a state prison sentence for weapons violations.