Private Eye’s Sentencing in Death Delayed : Crime: The Van Nuys man, convicted of arranging the slaying of a prostitute, has been diagnosed with cancer.

Sentencing for a private investigator convicted of arranging the slaying of a Van Nuys prostitute was postponed for a month Monday after it was disclosed that he has been diagnosed with incurable stomach cancer.

The defendant, Arthur Michael Pascal, 56, is scheduled to begin chemotherapy and radiation treatments this week, said his attorney, Joy Wilensky. Pascal pleaded no contest Oct. 12 to voluntary manslaughter stemming from the shooting death of June Mincher nearly nine years ago.

Mincher was gunned down as she walked along Sepulveda Boulevard on May 3, 1984. Pascal was later implicated in the slaying along with two men he allegedly hired to kill Mincher, who was accused of harassing one of Pascal’s clients.

During a court hearing Monday, Wilensky implored Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charles E. Horan to release Pascal on his own recognizance so that he could undergo medical treatment at Los Angeles County Medical Center, where he would be close to his family.

“The family has been told it’s incurable and that they’re buying time,” Wilensky said.

As part of a plea agreement reached by defense and prosecuting attorneys, Pascal was supposed to be sentenced to the state prison in Chino.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Sally Lipscomb objected to Wilensky’s request, noting that one of Pascal’s doctors had told her that his medical treatment would not be interrupted at Chino. Lipscomb also said she did not believe that his family should be a consideration in his sentencing.

Horan agreed and subsequently rejected the motion.

“A serious crime has been admitted,” Horan said. “It needs to be dealt with.”

Horan’s remarks triggered a response from Pascal, who was rolled into court in a wheelchair and dressed in pajamas with a white blanket wrapped around his shoulders.

“I’ve never done anything, your honor,” Pascal said. Sentencing has been rescheduled for Jan. 14.