NORTH HOLLYWOOD : Mental Test Ordered for Slaying Suspect
A judge on Monday ordered a psychiatric evaluation of a Pasadena man accused of murdering his girlfriend’s 91-year-old father by locking him in a car trunk for 12 hours.
Arraignment of Anthony E. West, 31, on charges of murder, kidnaping and forgery was postponed until Oct. 26 after Judge Michael Knight ruled that there was a question about the defendant’s ability to assist in his own defense.
Police said West locked Louie Molduf, a Pasadena millionaire, in a car trunk to persuade Molduf not to press forgery charges against him.
Police said that West, who was dating Molduf’s 45-year-old daughter, eventually dumped the body Sept. 18 in a parking lot at Toluca Lake Elementary School in North Hollywood.
Prosecutors said they believe that West locked Molduf in the trunk after the older man threatened to tell police that West had forged $25,000 worth of checks written on Molduf’s account.
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