TORRANCE : Murder Defendant Misses Court Hearing
A South Bay attorney charged with killing his girlfriend failed to appear in court Thursday for a pretrial hearing, prompting the judge in the case to issue a warrant for his arrest.
James V. Robelen, 54, was to have reported to Los Angeles Superior Court on Wednesday, but when he did not show up his case was delayed until Thursday. Judge Michael Tynan issued the bench warrant after Robelen again failed to appear in court on Thursday.
Robelen, formerly a well-known defense attorney who lived in Lawndale, faces a murder charge in the shooting death of Pamela Puzach, 45, on Jan. 26. Puzach, who was struck by several bullets in her Torrance apartment on Amie Avenue, died the next day.
Neighbors told police they heard a heated argument taking place and then gunshots shortly after the couple returned to the apartment from a Super Bowl party.
Robelen, who at first was held without bail, was released several weeks ago on a $75,000 bond after using real estate as collateral.
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