Local News in Brief : Man Pleads Guilty in Boyfriend’s Slaying

A Van Nuys man pleaded guilty Thursday to involuntary manslaughter in the fatal stabbing of his boyfriend with a kitchen knife after an argument over the boyfriend’s claims that he was a faith healer and could speak in tongues.

Richard Michael Russell, 29, of Van Nuys entered his plea before Van Nuys Municipal Court Judge James M. Coleman.

Russell was at first charged with murder in the June 10 killing of Daniel J. Hallbauer, 31, of Van Nuys. Prosecutors agreed to let him plead to the lesser charge at his preliminary hearing because evidence showed that Russell killed Hallbauer during an argument, not with premeditation and malice, said Deputy Dist. Atty. Andrew W. Diamond.

“The victim was slapping and punching and pushing Russell around,” Diamond said. “Our physical evidence indicates Russell was bloody and bruised.”

Under terms of the agreement, Russell will be sentenced to five years in prison, said Thom Tibor, Russell’s attorney.

The argument broke out after Hallbauer claimed he could speak in tongues and heal by “laying on hands,” Diamond said.

Hallbauer hit Russell twice in the face, Diamond said. Russell then grabbed a kitchen knife and stabbed Hallbauer in the shoulder, leg and chest, Diamond said. Hallbauer was pronounced dead at Northridge Hospital Medical Center.

Sentencing is scheduled Sept. 29.