Man Pleads Guilty to Lesser Charge in Employer’s Death

As disgruntled members of the victim’s family looked on, the employee of a Canoga Park janitorial service originally accused of murder pleaded guilty Thursday to voluntary manslaughter in the shooting death of his employer.

Richard W. Bullinger, 33, of Van Nuys admitted killing Robert D. Norris, 49, owner of Bob’s Janitorial Service and Bullinger’s boss for more than 10 years. Norris was shot once in the chest in front of his Van Nuys house July 27. Bullinger later turned himself in to police.

“I think this is very unfair,” Elfreda Norris, the slain man’s mother, said outside court after Bullinger entered his plea before Van Nuys Municipal Judge Aviva K. Bobb. “I think he should get the death penalty.”

Deputy Dist. Atty. Andrew W. Diamond said Bullinger was allowed to plead guilty to the lesser charge because prosecutors found no evidence of premeditation, which is required to prove murder.

Prosecutors believe that the killing occurred in the heat of passion during a dispute over money after Bullinger had been drinking extensively, Diamond said.

Diamond said Norris’ family is “understandably distraught.” But, he added, “I’m constrained by the law.”

Bobb scheduled sentencing Oct. 17 in Van Nuys Superior Court. Bullinger could receive a maximum sentence of 11 years in prison, said Deputy Dist. Atty. Ann Korban.