Key Witness to Shooting of Teacher Alters Statement

The prosecution in the trial of two gang members accused of shooting schoolteacher Alfredo Perez suffered a setback Tuesday when its star witness backed away from his police interview and said he did not see who fired the gun.

James McClenand, 18, who had told police he saw defendant Frazier Francis shoot at a rival gang member, said in Compton Superior Court that he was on an apartment staircase at the time of the shooting and was only able to hear what was happening.

A stray bullet from the conflict wounded Perez across the street.

Det. Charles Tizano, who took the original statement identifying the assailants, said in an interview later Tuesday that McClenand altered his statement because he feared retaliation from Francis’ street gang.

“He told me they will blow his brains out if he snitches,” said Tizano. Prosecutors, citing a gag order imposed by judge John T. Cheroske, declined comment.

McClenand testified that Francis and co-defendant Antonio Moses, another gang member, were standing with several other people near an apartment building on 111th Place and Figueroa Street shortly after 9 a.m. on Feb. 22. A car drove by and the driver flashed a rival gang sign, McClenand said.

He said he then heard someone who sounded like Moses say, “There’s a boover. Get him. Get that crab.” (The terms were derogatory references to the rival gang, the Hoover Crips.)

McClenand testified that immediately after, he heard gunshots but could not see who fired them.

Prosecutors ended their case by playing the audiotape of McClenand’s interview with Tizano. On the tape, McClenand said he was walking down the street when he saw a car go by and saw Francis fire one shot, then chase after the car and fire twice more.

One of those shots crashed through a window of the Figueroa Elementary Street School’s library and struck Perez in the brain. He was not expected to live but has made a dramatic recovery.

The defense is scheduled to begin putting on its case today. The jury is expected to begin deliberating by week’s end.