Judge Rules Against Tuffree’s Attorneys

Slain Simi Valley Police Officer Michael F. Clark and two colleagues did not overstep their authority and ignore probable-cause laws when they crept into Daniel Allen Tuffree’s backyard the day Clark died, a judge ruled Thursday.

Tuffree, who is charged with killing Clark in August, faces the death penalty if convicted of premeditated murder.

Tuffree’s attorneys had argued that Clark and two other officers did not have probable cause to be in Tuffree’s backyard and asked a judge to forbid a jury from hearing evidence about their actions there.

But prosecutors successfully argued that the three officers thought they were responding to a medical emergency, which allows them to force their way into a home without a search warrant.

Sgt. Anthony Anzilotti, who was the trio’s supervisor that day, testified that he thought Tuffree had overdosed on drugs and alcohol and believed the high school teacher was unconscious. The three went to Tuffree’s backyard after Clark banged on the front door without getting a response from inside.

The three officers were called to Tuffree’s Simi Valley home after his insurance company called a mental health worker with concerns that Tuffree had been drinking and taking Valium for several days straight.

Ventura County Superior Court Judge Allen L. Steele said he was convinced that the officers had acted out of legitimate medical concern.

Jury selection is scheduled to begin next month.