Sunland man will be tried for murder, judge rules

Christopher Shahnazari was killed while aiding his mother in an attempted robbery.GLENDALE -- A Pasadena Superior Court judge ruled Wednesday that a 24-year-old Sunland man charged with the murder of 21-year-old Christopher Shahnazari, who was fatally shot last month while trying to aid his mother from robbers, will stand trial.

Judge Fred Fujioka ruled that the case against Edmond Ovasapyan, who is charged with one count of murder and one felony count of robbery, should go before a jury.

Ovasapyan was arrested Nov. 2 on suspicion of murder, and is one of several suspects police believe was involved in the fatal shooting of Shahnazari on Nov. 1.

Ovasapyan and at least two other males allegedly entered Shahnazari’s home, in the 1300 block of Bruce Street, at about 12:35 p.m. on Nov. 1 in an attempted robbery, Glendale Police Sgt. Tom Lorenz said.

Shahnazari’s mother, who was the only person home at the time, was pushed and shoved by the suspects during the attempted robbery, he said, but did not suffer any serious injuries aside from bruising.

Christopher Shahnazari was shot when he came home and tried to intervene and help his mother, Lorenz said.

He was taken to County-USC Medical Center, where he died shortly after. Nothing was taken from the home.

Despite Ovasapyan’s arrest less than a day after the murder, defense attorney Mark Geragos claims Ovasapyan is innocent.

“I am confident he will be acquitted because he did not do this,” Geragos said. “They’ve got the wrong guy. He was not involved at all, and it’s awful he’s been dragged through this.”

Police are still searching for the remaining suspects.

“The detectives vigorously continue to investigate this case,” Lorenz said.

“And with the evidence they had, they presented the case to the District Attorney’s office, and in conjunction with the district attorney’s office, they felt they had a presentable case.”

Still, Geragos claims the evidence against Ovasapyan is weak.

“There was no evidence pointing that he was involved in this,” he said. “It’s an awful situation, but I’m confident justice will prevail.”

At the time of his arrest, Ovasapyan was on probation for a grand theft embezzlement conviction from 2004, Lorenz said. He also had a 2002 conviction for brandishing a deadly weapon.

He is being held at the Men’s Central Jail in Los Angeles without bail.

“We have a strong case,” Deputy District Attorney Susan Navas said.

“It’s a good case.”

Ovasapyan will return to Pasadena Superior Court on Dec. 29 for an arraignment.20051216ipcsrkkn(LA)Edmond Ovasapyan