The Region : Trial Ordered in Slayings
A veteran Los Angeles police officer and two associates were ordered to stand trial on murder and conspiracy charges in the alleged contract killings of the associates’ spouses. Officer William E. Leasure, 40, of Northridge; Arthur G. Smith, 55, of Alhambra, and Paulette de los Reyes, 44, were ordered to trial by Municipal Judge David Horwitz at the conclusion of a two-week preliminary hearing. Leasure is charged with two counts of murder and two counts of conspiracy to commit murder. He is also charged with special circumstance allegations--including committing murder for financial gain--that qualify him for a possible death sentence if convicted. Smith and De los Reyes are both charged with one count of murder with special circumstances and conspiracy to commit murder.
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