NEWBURY PARK : Judge Won’t Reduce Bail in Murder Case

Bail should be lowered for a Newbury Park man accused of murdering his sister’s boyfriend, because the crime resembles manslaughter more than murder, a defense attorney argued Tuesday.

But Deputy Dist. Atty. Michael K. Frawley said prosecutors believe Todd Richard Love is guilty of first-degree murder and argued against any bail reduction.

Ventura County Superior Court Judge Lawrence Storch refused Deputy Public Defender Robert A. Dahlstedt’s request to lower Love’s bail to $75,000 from $250,000. The judge also agreed to delay the jury trial until Sept. 20 while both attorneys complete preparations.

Love has been in Ventura County Jail since he admittedly shot and killed 31-year-old Frank Kish on June 20.

Frawley said a 911 tape of the incident supports the murder charge.

“The only thing remarkable about this case is that we hear the defendant on a 911 tape saying he is going to shoot this victim, he’s going to kill this victim, and then we hear him do just that,” Frawley said. “It’s all on tape.”

But Dahlstedt said his client was only protecting himself.

Dahlstedt said Love, 27, was summoning help when he called 911 operators moments before the shooting.

“He was out of his mind from this beating and when he’s trying to get some help, he’s still being beaten,” Dahlstedt said.

Frawley called Love “a freeloader” living off the generosity of his sister and her boyfriend for months prior to the shooting.