BBC Jury Warned to Disregard Reports That Victim Is Alive

A jury beginning its second day of deliberations in the murder trial of Billionaire Boys Club leader Joe Hunt was admonished Tuesday to “disregard completely” media reports about the case amid new claims that the victim has been seen alive by at least three people.

Santa Monica Superior Court Judge Laurence Rittenband warned the jury not to read or watch news about the case and told them that both the prosecution and the defense had agreed that no credibility should be given to the latest report.

He was referring to a claim made Friday by veteran City News Service police reporter Robbie Robinson that he had spoken with Ron Levin last June while waiting in line at a Westwood movie theater. Levin, the Beverly Hills con man Hunt is accused of shooting nearly three years ago, disappeared in June of 1984 but his body has not been found.

Both sides declined comment about Robinson’s claim, citing a gag order imposed by Rittenband.

Two other people--one of them described as a secretary for a large Chicago law firm who knew Levin--have come forward since the case went to the jury last week, claiming to have seen him recently, according to sources close to the case. Defense attorneys said late Tuesday that they were “evaluating” the claims before deciding whether to file a motion to reopen the case.

The prosecution contends that Hunt and his bodyguard, Jim Pittman, killed Levin and dumped his body in a remote canyon; the defense maintains that Levin skipped town to avoid criminal and civil prosecution for grand theft and fraud.

Several of Hunt’s associates in the business and social fraternity testified during the 2 1/2-month trial that Hunt had bragged to them of having committed “the perfect crime” in murdering Levin.