Ramirez’s Lawyers Assail Visit to Holding Cell

Attorneys for Richard Ramirez Thursday branded as “irresponsible” a judge’s decision this week to allow reporters to view the accused Night Stalker’s Los Angeles Municipal Court holding cell, where a pentagram was found inscribed on a wall.

The defense attorneys said publicity generated by the discovery will injure their client’s ability to receive a fair trial. Judge James F. Nelson is to rule at the end of the preliminary hearing, which concluded its fourth week Thursday, whether Ramirez must stand trial on charges of 14 murders and 54 other felonies.

Nelson, responding to the defense’s allegations, said that at the time he granted the media’s request to view the cell, “Nobody had the slightest idea, as far as I know, what was on the wall...”

Nelson also revealed that the pentagram had been erased after it was discovered and photographed Wednesday--but that “there is now another such design on the holding cell.”

Ironically, the press viewing (without Ramirez in the cell) took place only hours before the first testimony in the hearing concerning pentagrams. Witnesses swore Wednesday that the symbols, often associated with devil worship, were found on the bedroom wall and thigh of Monrovia resident Mabel Bell, 83, who was beaten in her home last May and later died.

Defense attorney Daniel Hernandez said he may raise the holding cell issue before an appellate court if Nelson rules that Ramirez must stand trial. Hernandez called the timing of the viewing “very curious” and expressed displeasure that Nelson allowed it without first consulting the defense.