Local News in Brief : Firm, Owner Face Trial in Man’s Death
Criminal charges were filed Monday against a Long Beach fumigation company and its owner for the death of a mentally disabled man asphyxiated by poisonous gas used to fumigate his home.
Sunset Fumigation and owner Louis E. Tilley, 34, were charged by the Los Angeles city attorney with one count each of failing to secure the house against entry and of using a fumigant in a manner that conflicts with protective labeling.
Company employees on Feb. 21 found Donald Akers’ body in the southwest Los Angeles home he shared with his parents, who had called the company after Akers failed to return to a nearby hotel where the family was staying during the fumigation.
Akers had entered the house in the 1400 block of West 88th Place through the back door, where a “staple” device had been used to plug the keyhole.
If convicted, the defendants face a maximum of six months in jail and $6,000 in fines.
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