Council Rejects Law Barring Picketing of Private Homes : Protests: Plea made by husband of embattled judge who gave Korean grocer probation in teen-ager’s slaying.

Despite pleas from the husband of embattled Superior Court Judge Joyce A. Karlin, the Manhattan Beach City Council this week refused to enact an ordinance that would have banned picketing in front of private homes.

Karlin, who lives in Manhattan Beach, has been strongly criticized by black community activists and Dist. Atty. Ira Reiner after sentencing Korean grocer Soon Ja Du to five years probation for killing a black teen-ager in March. Du was convicted of voluntary manslaughter for shooting Latasha Harlins to death in a dispute over whether the 15-year-old girl planned to pay for a $1.79 bottle of orange juice.

The judge’s husband, Asst. U.S. Atty. Bill Fahey, presented a proposed anti-picketing ordinance to the council Tuesday night, though Redondo Beach police say there has been only one demonstration at the residence by a lone sign-carrying protester.

“We felt we could protect the neighborhood and assure the safety of Judge Karlin and her family without this ordinance,” Mayor Bob Holmes said. “We have not seen at this time a significant problem develop.”

On Dec. 12, demonstrators supporting an ongoing recall effort against Karlin stormed the Compton courthouse where she works.

Earlier this month, a judge granted Karlin a temporary restraining order requiring protesters to stay at least 500 feet from her home. But that ruling was overturned by another judge Jan. 16 as “an unlawful prior restraint on 1st Amendment activity.”

Fahey told the council that three cities in Los Angeles County already restrict picketing in residential neighborhoods. He added that he believes politicians, judges or any individuals carrying out the duties of their offices should be afforded such protection.

The council tabled the matter, but Holmes said it could come up again if the situation in Karlin’s neighborhood worsens.

“If there are disruptive incidents, there are more than adequate rules for disturbing the peace,” he said. Should the situation worsen, “we could implement the emergency ordinance.”