Guilty Verdict For LAPD Detective Who Murdered Her Romantic Rival
John C. Taylor of Taylor & Ring represents the family of Sherri Rasmussen, who back in 1986 was murdered by Stephanie Lazarus, who at the time was an officer with the Los Angeles Police Department. The crime was not solved back in the 1980s and went “cold.” The district attorney and LAPD opened the cold case in 2010 and new DNA results pointed to Lazarus as the killer. By that time Lazarus was a well-regarded Detective within the LAPD. The criminal case against Lazarus resulted in a guilty verdict.
The case drew national attention for its sensational storyline of a love-sick cop who killed a woman she viewed as a romantic rival and then somehow managed to bury her dark secret for many years. The killer continued to be promoted in the LAPD and became a well-respected detective and lived an ideal life, until new evidence pointed to her as the killer.
“This case was a tragedy on every level,” LAPD Lead Chief Charlie Beck stated. “To the family of Sherri Rasmussen, I am truly sorry for the loss of your wife, of your daughter. I am also sorry it took so long to solve this case and bring a measure of justice to this tragedy.”
Mr. Taylor is pursuing a wrongful death case against Lazarus and a civil rights case against LAPD.
Mr. Taylor commented, “The family is relieved that this 26-year nightmare was concluded with the positive identification of who killed their daughter and sister.”
This case was featured in the Los Angeles Times.
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