Murder Suspect Is Charged in 2nd Slaying
A Van Nuys man already facing a charge of murder in the robbery and shooting of a man playing cards in a San Fernando Valley park was charged Friday with another robbery-murder.
Lanell C. Harris, 25, was charged with the Jan. 3, 1991, slaying of Marta Rodriguez, 35, at a Winchell’s Donut House in South-Central Los Angeles.
Deputy Dist. Atty. Shellie Samuels said that witnesses have identified Harris as the man who fatally stabbed Rodriguez, a Winchell’s employee, as the victim’s 15-year-old daughter called police.
Harris is scheduled for a preliminary hearing in Van Nuys Municipal Court Jan. 15 in the Aug. 7, 1991, slaying of 51-year-old Julian Contreras.
In that case, two men who were playing cards with Contreras at a Van Nuys park have identified Harris as the man who robbed them and then shot Contreras to death when he protested, according to police.
Initially, police said they had no success in finding a suspect in Contreras’ killing. Then an informant called them within hours after the Los Angeles City Council posted a $15,000 reward for help in solving the slaying.
Samuels said that the two cases will be tried together and that prosecutors will probably seek the death penalty.
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