Man Accused of Aiding Fugitive in Murder Case

The godfather of Jesse James Hollywood surrendered to Colorado police after allegedly helping him evade arrest in connection with the murder of a 15-year-old West Hills teen, authorities said Thursday.

Richard Dispenza, 47, of Woodland Park, Colo., turned himself in late Wednesday and was booked on suspicion of harboring a fugitive, a felony. He posted $5,000 bail, police said.

Colorado authorities said Dispenza, who coaches the varsity football team at Woodland Park High School, initially lied to them about the whereabouts of Hollywood, 20, of West Hills, a suspect in the Aug. 6 kidnapping of Nicholas Markowitz. The boy’s body was found six days later by hikers in mountains north of Santa Barbara.

After learning that Hollywood might have been staying with his godfather in Woodland Park, police questioned Dispenza last Friday, according to the Colorado Springs Police Department.

Police said Dispenza told them Hollywood had stayed at his Bridle Drive home on Aug. 16 but had left the area. Hollywood’s vehicle was later found near Dispenza’s home.

Colorado Springs police said Dispenza rented a room for Hollywood at a Ramada Inn in Colorado Springs on Aug. 17. Dispenza put the room in his own name but told the clerk that the room was for another party, police said.

Dispenza’s mother, Katherine, of North Hills, said her son told her Thursday that Hollywood suddenly showed up on his doorstep.

“He hadn’t seen Jesse in four or five years,” she said. “The kid said he was in trouble but didn’t say what kind of trouble. My son told him to go to the cops.

“As far as the hotel room is concerned, the kid paid with cash. My son is innocent. He’s in total shock right now.”

Police believe Markowitz was kidnapped and killed because his older brother owed Hollywood $36,000 for marijuana.

Three of Hollywood’s boyhood friends and a 17-year-old Goleta boy face murder, kidnapping and conspiracy charges. They are scheduled to be arraigned today in Santa Barbara Superior Court.

Hollywood has eluded detectives, staying at the Bellagio Hotel and Resort in Las Vegas and at the homes of friends, police say, before moving on to Colorado.

At one friend’s home in Colorado Springs, authorities said, Hollywood dropped off an AR-15 rifle and a 12-gauge shotgun. He is believed still to be armed with a handgun, police said.