Local News in Brief : Murder Case Against Israeli Man Dropped
At the request of a prosecutor, a murder charge against an Israeli national was dismissed Monday because of insufficient evidence.
Van Nuys Superior Court Judge Alan B. Haber dismissed the case against Ilan Maya, 30, who was charged in the Feb. 5 shooting death of Efream Zamir, 33, in Van Nuys-Sherman Oaks Park.
The case had been scheduled to go to trial Monday.
Deputy Dist. Atty. David R. Disco said his office was not prepared to proceed because a witness changed his story. The trial could not be delayed without jeopardizing the defendant’s right to a speedy trial, Disco said.
An eyewitness to the shooting, Dani Goldring, 28, had identified Maya as the gunman but has since contended that Maya was not the assailant.
Disco said Goldring’s earlier statements to police were not enough to convict Maya. He said attempts to find other witnesses were unsuccessful.
He said he could refile charges against Maya if more evidence is found.
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