Bail Reduced for Officer in Murder for Hire Fraud
<p>Bail was reduced on Friday for a Santa Monica police officer accused of swindling a woman out of $7,500 by posing as a hit man.
Kenneth Maurice Scott, 41, was arrested Thursday on charges of conspiracy to defraud another of property, grand theft and receiving stolen goods.
According to the district attorney’s office, Scott--using the assumed name Lorenzo Wright--agreed to perform a contract killing for Sheila Holden Hamilton. He then pocketed the money, revealed his true identity and warned Hamilton not to harm anyone or “everyone” would go to jail.
Cynthia Lockhart, 43, the alleged go-between, faces the same charges as Scott. Hamilton faces charges of soliciting murder and grand theft.
Judge Elden S. Fox agreed to lower Scott’s bail from $250,000 to $100,000 on the condition that Scott submit to electronic monitoring if he posts bail. The court also stipulated that Scott not possess any firearm, and that he refrain from contact with his co-defendants or any prospective witnesses.
Scott’s arraignment in Beverly Hills Court was postponed until Tuesday after two public defender’s offices declined to represent him.
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