Ruling Due on Prosecution of Slain Gunman’s Mother
A judge is scheduled to decide today whether the mother of one of two bank robbers killed in a North Hollywood shootout should stand trial for felony dependent abuse and false imprisonment.
Valerie Nicolescu-Matasareanu is accused of locking a mentally disabled woman, Georgia Mayo, 44, in a dark room under extremely unsanitary conditions. Mayo was discovered in a Pasadena building owned by Nicolescu-Matasareanu during a police search for clues about gunman Emil Matasareanu, who was slain.
The Pasadena municipal judge’s expected decision on whether to reduce the criminal charges, dismiss the case or let it proceed to trial comes six weeks after an administrative law judge revoked Nicolescu-Matasareanu’s license to operate a board and care facility at her Altadena home, saying she falsely imprisoned Mayo.
Nicolescu-Matasareanu, 54, who remains free on $50,000 bail, also faces a misdemeanor charge of operating an unlicensed care facility.
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