Judge Won’t Be Barred in Sentencing Robber : Local News in Brief

A Los Angeles Superior Court judge Thursday denied a motion to remove another judge from sentencing a convicted robber accused of killing a police detective who testified against him.

Daniel Steven Jenkins is scheduled to be sentenced on the robbery charge March 6 by San Fernando Superior Court Judge Bruce J. Sottile.

Jenkins’ attorney, Howard Price, claimed in his unsuccessful motion that Sottile should be disqualified on grounds of bias because the judge allegedly said he was unnerved by Jenkins staring at him in court.

After hearing brief oral arguments, Superior Court Judge Aurelio Munoz denied the motion, saying there was no reason to believe that Sottile was biased against Jenkins.

Munoz also denied a request from Price for a hearing in which Sottile would have to testify. He said requiring the judge to defend himself in another court could lead to defendants calling judges to the witness stand in other major cases.

Sottile, in a written response filed earlier with Los Angeles Superior Court, denied Price’s claims, saying he did not tell a homicide investigator that Jenkins unnerved him.

Fred Bennett of the county counsel’s office, who represented Sottile, denied Price’s claim that Sottile believed Jenkins was responsible for threatening phone calls the judge received.

Jenkins was convicted Nov. 1 of holding up a North Hollywood theater manager in October, 1984.

Jenkins is accused of fatally shooting Los Angeles Police Detective Thomas C. Williams as Williams picked up his 6-year-old son from a child-care center in Canoga Park.

Price said he will appeal Munoz’s decision.

He also said he will argue a motion on March 6 to remove the district attorney’s office from prosecuting the case because of an alleged conflict of interest, and will request a new trial.