Witness Challenged in Cross-Burning Case

The credibility of a key witness in a hearing for two fired deputies accused of burning a cross in Los Angeles County Men’s Central Jail about two years ago was challenged Tuesday in the third day of testimony before a Civil Service Commission hearing officer.

Attorney Richard Shinee, who represents former jailers Brian Kazmierski and Richard Bolks in the appeal of their discharge, produced testimony alleging that a departmental witness, Deputy Frank Plass, once said that he hated Kazmierski and was out to get him. Two sheriff’s deputies testified about the alleged remark.

Plass testified earlier in the hearing that Kazmierski admitted that he had set fire to a cross in a section of the jail where members of the Crips, a black street gang, were housed. Plass was the senior deputy assigned to the floor where Kazmierski and Bolks worked.

Floor Sgt. Patrick Weeks, who supervised Plass and the two accused deputies, said that when he investigated the cross-burning report he decided that a cross probably had been burned, and he transferred Kazmierski and Bolks. Now, he said, he is “not certain” a cross was burned.