2 Juries : Ex-Officers’ Murder Case Goes to Trial

Jury selection is scheduled to begin today in the trial of one of two former Los Angeles police officers charged with killing a Northridge businessman for $20,000.

Detective Richard Herman Ford, 47, and Officer Robert Anthony Von Villas, 43--convicted in January of attempted murder and armed robbery in an unrelated case--could receive the death penalty if they are found guilty of slaying Thomas Weed, 52, who disappeared in February, 1983.

Ford and Von Villas will be tried together in Van Nuys Superior Court but will be judged by separate juries. Jury selection is to begin today for Ford and on April 26 for Von Villas. Their trial is expected to last from six to nine months.

Weed’s body has never been found, but authorities believe he was killed and buried in the desert. His former wife, Janie E. Ogilvie of Canoga Park, said she paid Von Villas $20,000 to have Weed killed.

Ogilvie, 45, has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and conspiracy and could be sentenced to 15 years to life in prison, Deputy Dist. Atty. Robert O’Neill said. Ogilvie will be sentenced at the end of the trial, O’Neill said.

Marital Problems

Ogilvie told authorities she first thought about having Weed killed in late 1982 or early 1983. She said Weed was regularly beating her and was trying to force her to abandon her interest in an allergy testing laboratory they operated.

Court documents say Ogilvie was told by an employee about friends who were “Hells Angels on the Devonshire Police Department.” Ogilvie decided to solicit their help in killing Weed, according to the documents.

Ford and Von Villas worked for the Police Department’s Devonshire Division until their arrests nearly five years ago. They have been in County Jail since then.

Both defendants are accused of murder and conspiracy to commit murder in the Weed case.

“My strategy is to hope the jury finds the truth,” said Ford’s attorney, Richard P. Lasting. “If they do, they will find him not guilty.”

Donald Feinberg, who is defending Von Villas, called the prosecution’s case circumstantial and said it was built on witnesses accused of playing a role in the crime who received immunity or reduced sentences in exchange for testimony.

“They will testify because it is to their advantage to cooperate with the prosecution,” Feinberg argued. “Everyone has got something to sell.”

Murder Discussion Alleged

In documents filed with the court, O’Neill indicates he will introduce evidence showing that Ford and Von Villas met with Ogilvie at her house to discuss Weed’s murder.

The prosecution also intends to introduce a calendar found in Ford’s home with the date of Weed’s disappearance blackened out and a taped jail conversation between Ford and his wife.

Ford can be heard on the tape saying there was “no body” and expressing concern over a shotgun, according to court documents.

Earlier this year, a Los Angeles Superior Court jury convicted Ford and Von Villas of attempting to murder exotic dancer Joan Loguercio in 1983 to collect a $100,000 life insurance policy and of robbing a Northridge jewelry store in 1982.

Each was sentenced to a maximum term of 25 years to life in the 1983 murder plot. Ford received 11 years and Von Villas received 10 years in the robbery.

Both men are appealing their convictions.