VENTURA : Judge Visits Scene of Woman’s Killing

A Ventura County Superior Court judge Wednesday visited the Ventura house where a 90-year-old woman was slain in January.

Judge James M. McNally, who is hearing the murder and burglary trial of Kevin J. Kolodziej, 25, entered the Agnus Drive house by the same rear door that the defendant allegedly used.

Accompanied by attorneys and an investigator, the judge walked through a small laundry room and into the kitchen, where the suspect allegedly took a knife from atop a partly eaten pie.

Then the group entered the tiny dining room and saw the telephone that the victim, Velasta Johnson, had just answered when Kolodziej allegedly stabbed her in the heart. In the adjacent den, the group saw the overstuffed flowered chair where Johnson’s body was found.

McNally toured the home at the request of Deputy Dist. Atty. Peter D. Kossoris, who said the visit would help the judge in reaching his verdicts. McNally is hearing the case without a jury. Kolodziej, a drifter from Virginia who has a history of mental illness, did not accompany the group, and no testimony was taken.

Later Wednesday, Kossoris concluded the prosecution’s case. Deputy Public Defender Steve P. Lipson asked McNally to acquit Kolodziej of the burglary charge, saying the prosecution had not offered sufficient evidence.

McNally refused, and Lipson began presenting the defense case. Outside court, Lipson and his associate, Deputy Public Defender Neil B. Quinn, said McNally could still decide after hearing all the evidence that Kolodziej was not guilty of burglary.

Lipson and Quinn have acknowledged that Kolodziej killed Johnson. But they reject the burglary allegation--which, if proven, could subject their client to life in prison without the possibility of parole. And whatever Kolodziej may have done, the defense attorneys say he is not guilty by reason of insanity.