Removal of Tattoos Argued

Defense lawyers always do their best to clean up their clients before trial. Usually, that means shaving a beard or buying new clothes to make a positive impression on a jury.

But for attorney Steven D. Powell, the task was more difficult.

Powell asked a judge in Ventura County Superior Court on Thursday to allow murder defendant Michael Bridgeford, 25, to remove two white power tattoos across his face and forehead, so jurors wouldn’t think he still believes in white supremacy.

“The continued viewing of the defendant with the hideous insignia on his face is going to unduly influence the jury,” Powell said. “I can’t imagine how it couldn’t.”

But Patricia Murphy, the senior deputy district attorney prosecuting the case, argued that the tattoos are more than a matter of appearance. In a case where gang ties and skinhead beliefs are a major component, she said, the markings should be considered evidence.

“It has absolutely everything to do with this killing,” Murphy said.

Superior Court Judge Vincent J. O’Neill Jr. agreed, saying that the gang evidence would be pervasive during Bridgeford’s trial.

O’Neill denied the defense motion for tattoo removal, but said defense lawyers could file a request at a later date to conceal the markings with makeup.

Bridgeford, of Oxnard, is one of two gang members accused of killing Nichole Hendrix of Ventura in 1998. Before a grand jury, he admitted to restraining the 17-year-old as David Ziesmer stabbed her to death in the bathtub of a Ventura motel.

Both men face charges of murder, conspiracy and allegations that the killing was done to silence Hendrix. They allegedly suspected she had reported them to police for selling stolen property.

Hendrix disappeared after calling her mother from the motel to say she would be home soon. Her remains were found six months later in the Ventura County back country.

Ziesmer and Bridgeford could face the death penalty if convicted.

The tattoos are a large bluish “88” on Bridgeford’s right cheek and a group of letters representing the name of his former gang drawn above his left eyebrow. The “88” represents the Nazi slogan “Heil Hitler,” as H is the eighth letter of the alphabet.

Bridgeford received the tattoos several years ago when he was an active member of the Ventura-based gang. His lawyer said Bridgeford has since broken those ties and now rejects the group’s racist beliefs.

Powell said the tattoos were a “stupid mistake.” But if not removed, he argued, jurors “are going to draw a natural inference that he is a supporter of Adolf Hitler, which he is not.”

He also said that in today’s political climate, any connection to “history’s greatest terrorist” could prevent his client from receiving a fair trial.

Murphy said there is no prejudicial issue, because Bridgeford has admitted his gang ties, admitted to assisting in the killing and told authorities he was loyal to Ziesmer.

She said it also is significant that the defendant and Ziesmer both got “88” tattooed on their cheeks after Hendrix was killed.

“It certainly is relevant evidence,” she said.

Bridgeford’s trial is set to begin July 15, 2002.