Prosecutor in Bryant Family Trial Removed

The chief prosecutor in the Bryant family murder trial--who alleged that members of the notorious drug ring had infiltrated law enforcement agencies--has been removed from the case, a Los Angeles County district attorney’s spokesman said Monday. A judge later ruled that there was not enough evidence to support the infiltration claim.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Jan Maurizi, who has been dogged by unwanted publicity in the case over the past two months, was replaced Thursday by Deputy Dist. Atty. Kevin McCormick, spokesman Mike Botula said. The change was ordered by Dist. Atty. Gil Garcetti.

“It is anticipated that Maurizi will become a witness in this or one of the related cases,” Botula said.

Stanley Bryant, 34, and four other alleged members of a crime syndicate are accused of killing two rival drug dealers and two witnesses in 1988 at a Lake View Terrace house. Prosecutors also allege that the Bryant syndicate distributed hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of cocaine each month throughout the San Fernando Valley. The trial is set for January.