Revenge Called Motive : Pair Accused of Killing Suspect Police Released

Police say a Reseda couple killed a Panorama City nightclub bouncer out of revenge after officers released him, despite an accusation by the wife’s daughter that he raped the girl during a cocaine session.

Raymond P. and Deborah L. Wisecarver are scheduled to be arraigned today in Van Nuys Municipal Court on two counts each of murder and conspiracy to commit murder in the July 10 killing of Edward J. Shreckengust, Deputy Dist. Atty. Christine A. Thurman said Tuesday.

Los Angeles Police Detective Patrick Conmay said Deborah Wisecarver’s 15-year-old daughter told investigators that Shreckengust shared cocaine with her at his Panorama City apartment July 8.

The girl told her parents that Shreckengust raped her during the evening, Conmay said.

The Wisecarvers took the girl to the West Valley police station, where she repeated the rape story to officers, who arrested Shreckengust, Conmay said.

Shreckengust denied the accusation, Conmay said. During questioning, Detective Bob Hart said, police found discrepancies in the girl’s story, and Shreckengust was released without charge.

Hart said Raymond Wisecarver, 43, returned home, and his wife, 36, stayed at her mother’s nearby home.

Hart said several witnesses heard at least two telephone conversations between the couple in which they planned to kill Shreckengust in revenge.

Hart said they borrowed a 12-gauge shotgun, which has not been found, from an acquaintance.

Hart said Raymond Wisecarver, perhaps accompanied by his wife, went to Shreckengust’s apartment in the 8800 block of Tobias Avenue. He knocked on the door and shot Shreckengust once shortly after the victim opened the door, Hart said.

There were no witnesses, police said. The body was discovered two days later.

The couple were arrested Friday without incident, Hart said.

Raymond Wisecarver, manager of an apartment project in the 19100 block of Hamlin Street, where the family lives, is being held without bail at Van Nuys Jail.

Deborah Wisecarver is being held without bail at the West Valley police station.