PACOIMA : Man Pleads Guilty to 19 Robbery Counts

A Pacoima man calmly pleaded guilty Monday to 19 counts of robbery before he went on trial for murder and 31 other felony charges.

Even if acquitted of all the remaining charges, Howard Holt faces a maximum sentence of more than 31 years in state prison, having admitted that he robbed people at four locations.

Holt, 29, and an accomplice allegedly committed eight late-night robberies at San Fernando Valley restaurants during a two-month period in late 1991 and early 1992. A Van Nuys jury will determine whether Holt killed a musician during a robbery in a Studio City restaurant and tried to kill a Los Angeles police officer who responded to a holdup call at a Northridge restaurant.

Also charged in the robberies and killing is Claude Davis, also of Pacoima. Holt and Davis, 28, both face life in prison without the possibility of parole if they are convicted of killing Vartan Mouradian, 33, during a Nov. 27, 1991, robbery at the Grecian Village restaurant.

Davis, who is suspected of shooting Mouradian, is charged with a total of 51 felony counts.

“We believe (Davis’) rifle was fired and it killed Vartan Mouradian,” said Deputy Dist. Atty. Peter Berman. “He was lying on the floor when he was shot.”

The string of robberies came to an end Jan. 15, 1992, when police responded to a call at the Grandview Chinese Restaurant in Northridge. After being confronted by the authorities, Holt allegedly shot Officer Dennis Hinman in the hip. Holt was shot in the wrist in the incident.

Both men were taken into custody.

Holt’s quiet demeanor contrasted with his actions in court last week. His waist shackles covered by a Navy blue sports coat, he walked into the courtroom Monday escorted by only one bailiff. But last week several burly marshals dragged a completely chained Holt before Superior Court Judge Howard J. Schwab, who promptly threw out the uncooperative defendant and the hearing continued without him.

The trial for both men is expected to last about one month.