Farrell Apologizes in Killer Inquiry : Now ‘Confident’ That Serial Slayer’s Probe Is in Good Hands

Los Angeles City Councilman Robert Farrell apologized Wednesday to members of the Southside Serial Killer Task Force for remarks he made last week that Police Chief Daryl F. Gates heatedly denounced as “demoralizing” detectives investigating the slayings of 18 women.

“At a recent press conference I put forward a community perception that queried the Police Department’s staff deployment--whether the best and brightest were being assigned to deal with this heinous crime that plagues the citizens of South Los Angeles,” Farrell said.

With Assistant Police Chief Robert Vernon at his side, the councilman said he has now been “advised . . . of who is doing what on the case. I am confident that every effort is being made to bring this case to a speedy conclusion.” Then he added: “I want to say something specifically to the men and women . . . on the Serial Killer Task Force--if by my words anyone felt slighted, I do apologize for that, and specifically if they are lieutenants or below.”

In response to Farrell’s statement Vernon said: “I’m here to represent the men and women of LAPD and specifically the officers of the task force and Chief Gates, and accept this gracious apology. And I just want to say there is no doubt in my mind that we will solve this case, and our purpose in standing together is to show a united commitment to solving this case. That’s the focus that we have right now.

“We have the brightest people on this task force, they are the best, they have been working very diligently and conscientiously for a very long time, and they deserve this unanimous support they are receiving.”

Vernon said “progress is being made” in the investigation of the 18 slayings since 1983.

Vernon distributed a revised composite drawing of a possible suspect in the murders, showing him without a cap and the mustache that were depicted in a previous drawing.