Pasadena : Fired Security Chief’s Trial

A Pasadena Municipal Court judge has transferred the misdemeanor trial of a fired Pasadena schools security chief to Alhambra because he and other judges worked closely with city officials who may testify in the case.

Judge Judson Morris Jr. on Thursday withdrew from the case, in which Charles Parcell is accused of filing a false police report. Morris said Parcell’s attorney, Terrance Bennett, planned to call Pasadena Police Chief Jerry Oliver, Police Cmdr. Don Burwell and City Atty. Victor Kaleta. Morris said he has worked closely with them in court, as have other Pasadena judges.

Prosecutors say Parcell filed a false police report last September. He allegedly reported as stolen an $1,800 school district computer after having moved it to the district’s security department office.

In Alhambra, Judge John Martinez will take over the case Sept. 30. Parcell’s attorney has asked that the charges be dismissed on grounds of discriminatory prosecution. Bennett said Parcell is the target of a conspiracy among school, city and police officials who dislike his client’s conservative reputation.

Parcell, who was fired in March, is fighting his termination. Bennett said he decided to use city officials as witnesses after reading a transcript of Parcell’s administrative appeal hearing last month. School and police officials took the stand at the administrative hearing, which resumes Oct. 6.