Suspect in Pipe Bomb Deaths Pleads Not Guilty to Murder
A North Hollywood television and film makeup artist on Thursday pleaded not guilty to murder in the Feb. 8 pipe bomb deaths of two Los Angeles police explosives experts.
Donald Lee Morse, 36, who had changed from jail clothing into a three-piece gray suit for the arraignment, told San Fernando Municipal Court Commissioner Charles L. Peven, “I am not guilty, your honor.”
Peven set Morse’s preliminary hearing for April 7 in Los Angeles Municipal Court.
Deputy Dist. Atty. Sterling E. Norris said investigators have “substantial evidence” linking Morse to the pipe bomb that exploded in his garage while members of the police bomb squad were attempting to defuse it. Killed in the explosion were Detective Arleigh McCree, 46, commander of the bomb squad, and Officer Ron Ball, 43.
Police discovered the bomb while searching Morse’s home for a gun believed to have been used in an attack a few days earlier on an official of the Makeup Artists and Hair Stylists Union Local 706. Although a pistol was found in Morse’s house, it was ruled out as the weapon used in the wounding of the union official, police said.
Norris said prosecutors need not prove that Morse planned to kill the officers, only that by possessing a bomb he intended to harm someone.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
