D’Agostino to Take On Boss for DA Job

Deputy Dist. Atty. Lea Purwin D’Agostino, who attracted widespread attention as the flamboyant although unsuccessful prosecutor in the “Twilight Zone” case, announced Tuesday that she will challenge Dist. Atty. Ira Reiner in the June primary election.

“Our streets are soaked with the blood of gang warfare and littered with the debris of the dope dealers,” D’Agostino told reporters. “Since Ira Reiner has been the district attorney, these gangs and dope dealers have been winning this war.”

The latest challenge to Reiner was made public at a news conference called by attorney Gloria Allred, who ended speculation that she might run for district attorney by endorsing D’Agostino’s candidacy and praising her “outstanding qualifications” and “courage.”

“Yes, she has been called the Dragon Lady,” Allred said. “But let us remember that this is the Year of the Dragon.”

In another reference to the nickname bestowed on her by Alphabet Bomber Muharem Kurbegovic, whom she helped prosecute, D’Agostino said: “Who better than a Dragon Lady to breathe fire into our war on crime here in Los Angeles?”

No Comments From Reiner

A Reiner spokesman said the district attorney will have no comment on Tuesday’s announcement. Reiner is also being challenged by Deputy Dist. Atty. Iver Bye. Attorney Alfred A. Calabro, the brother of a Glendale Municipal Court commissioner who last summer was denounced by Reiner as a racist, said Tuesday he still plans to file against Reiner before the March 11 deadline.

D’Agostino, 50, and a deputy district attorney since July, 1977, brushed aside questions about the highly publicized manslaughter trial of film director John Landis and four co-defendants for the deaths in 1982 of actor Vic Morrow and two child actors during filming of “Twilight Zone: The Movie.”

All were acquitted in May, 1987, after a 10-month trial, and jurors said at the time they took only one ballot to reach their verdict.

“Cases are won and lost every single day. . . .,” D’Agostino said. “This is unfortunately not the last time that someone is going to be acquitted.

“I tried it the way I believed in it and the way I still believe in it.”

During the trial, D’Agostino made headlines by tangling publicly with the original prosecutor in the case as well as with defense attorneys. She became a familiar figure on the evening news in her stylish clothes and trademark gold bee pin.

Harland W. Braun, the attorney for producer George Folsey Jr. in the “Twilight Zone” case and D’Agostino’s most vociferous critic during the trial, said Tuesday he will contribute to her campaign, although he does not plan to support her candidacy.

“She’s a character. She will make it real difficult for Ira Reiner,” Braun said. “A guy that doesn’t deserve to be DA at least shouldn’t get a free ride.”

Reiner Criticized

Braun, who also served as the attorney for former U.S. Rep. Bobbi Fiedler (R-Northridge) when she was indicted on bribery charges in 1986, assailed Reiner for his “insane decisions” and “McCarthy-like tactics.” Charges against Fiedler were ultimately dismissed.

At Tuesday’s news conference, Allred also denounced Reiner, describing his “record on many issues (as) a disgrace” and calling him the “Geraldo Rivera of the district attorney’s office.”

Allred added: “Ira Reiner’s approach to the management of his office has often appeared to be based on political expediency, using others as pawns so that he can advance in the chessboard of the political world.”

D’Agostino, however, offered little specific criticism of her boss’ policies, although she said she would not be running if either of his immediate predecessors--Robert H. Philibosian or John K. Van de Kamp--were still district attorney.

“Since Ira Reiner has been district attorney, I don’t recall, in my personal opinion, the atmosphere in the office ever being as low as it is, morale-wise,” she said.

She said it is “common knowledge” that Reiner, a Democrat, plans to run for higher office while serving as district attorney if he is reelected.

D’Agostino also declined to specify what she would do as district attorney, except that she would focus on issues involving rape victims, child support and the elderly.

Acknowledging that a campaign could cost as much as $1 million, she said she has not yet tried to raise any money.

At the district attorney’s office, D’Agostino’s announcement was greeted with surprise and amusement.

“Who needs to watch ‘Dynasty’ when you can watch this?” said Deputy Dist. Atty. Pamela Ann Ferrero. “I think this will make a good soap opera.”

Reached at his law firm, Philibosian said, “I’m only sorry that Gloria Allred is not running for DA,” but he described D’Agostino as a “very fine prosecutor, one of the best.”