Ex-Officer Must Stand Trial in 1988 Shooting
A former Torrance police officer was ordered Tuesday to stand trial for allegedly lying about the shooting of an unarmed man by another officer last year.
Mark Holden, 30, faces one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice and one count of conspiracy to falsely charge another with a crime.
The charges stem from the May, 1988, shooting of Patrick J. Coyle, who was riding his motorcycle when he was pulled over by police. Former Torrance Officer Timothy Pappas told his superiors that he shot Coyle after Coyle reached toward a shiny object in his pocket.
That version of events was supported by Holden and another former officer, Timothy Thornton, until Thornton later recanted and told his bosses the shooting was unprovoked.
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