NORTH HOLLYWOOD : Detective Praised for Solving Murder Case

Oscar Carballo, the Los Angeles Police detective responsible for cracking a 23-year-old murder case in which a Pasadena man stands accused of strangling his mother-in-law, has been commended by his superiors.

Carballo, a 25-year veteran detective, had been working on the case for 2 1/2 years and an investigative eye led to the arrest of 65-year-old Harland Omer Gallion earlier this week. Gallion is accused of killing Catherine Marion Halgren of Toluca Lake in 1972.

Lead Homicide Detective Mike Coffey, who is very stingy with compliments, his colleagues say, spoke with pride of Carballo’s achievements in securing enough evidence in a case in which many of the principal players--including the original detectives--are dead.

As an example of Carballo’s tireless effort in pursuing the case, Coffey pointed out that the detective tracked down former police officers and coroner’s investigators--many of whom live out of state--to find out what they remembered.

He also searched faded leads to solve what many considered, after nearly a quarter century, a hopeless case.

Coffey also pointed to Carballo’s affable manner as a key to his success in the investigation. “Oscar’s personal contact with these people . . . permitted them to talk freely with him,” Coffey said.

Carballo said the call that sparked his interest in the case came on his birthday. After that, he said, it was a matter of finding good information that kept him on the case. Coffey however, said a trail 23 years cold is difficult to follow even with strong leads.

“We file 60-day reports on cases we have not yet solved.” Coffey said. “It is extremely unlikely at that point that we will be able to bring a case back to life.”