Jeffery Benice
Lead Defense Attorney
For Michael Goodwin
January 24, 2004
TO SEE ACTUAL LISTING OF CHARGES AGAINST DETECTIVE LILLIENFELD
 CLICK HERE
Via Overnite Mail
Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department
Internal Affairs Bureau
4900 S. Eastern Ave.
Commerce, CA 90040
Re: Detective Mark Lillienfeld's Misconduct in the Investigation of Michael Goodwin in People v. Michael F. Goodwin ,
Orange County Superior Court Case No. 01CF3294
Gentlemen:
I represent Michael F. Goodwin in the above referenced pending homicide case in the Orange County Superior Court. The case is currently on appeal before the Fourth District Court of Appeal as to whether Orange County has jurisdiction to continue the prosecution. A ruling is due shortly.
Detective Mark Lillienfeld of your department has been the lead homicide detective on the case since approximately 1997. This shall constitute Mr. Goodwin's formal complaint against Detective Lillienfeld concerning Detective Lillienfeld's preparation and presentation of falsified evidence for use in court proceedings against Mr. Goodwin; destruction of exculpatory evidence exonerating Mr. Goodwin; and other misconduct. As a result of Detective Lillienfeld's wrongful conduct, Mr. Goodwin has been falsely charged with the Thompson murders.
Mr. Goodwin has been wrongfully incarcerated since December 13, 2001, and has been denied bail because of false “special circumstances” allegations asserted against him. David Brent, Senior Assist. Orange County District Attorney, conceded on the record at the preliminary hearing that if there were doubts of the truthfulness of Detective Lillienfeld's testimony, there “was no case against Mr. Goodwin.”
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
Internal Affairs Bureau
January 24, 2004
Page 2 of 2
The enclosed document, entitled “Specific False Statements By Detective Lillienfeld Either in Sworn Affidavits and/or Sworn Preliminary Hearing Testimony”, presents evidence of Detective Lillienfeld's untruthfulness, under oath, in over 100 instances in sworn testimony or affidavits presented in court. Detective Lillienfeld's conduct conclusively demonstrates, as suggested by Mr. Brent, that there is “no case against Mr. Goodwin.” Mr. Goodwin accordingly requests that a comprehensive investigation be initiated immediately concerning this misconduct.
Detective Lillienfeld's false statements are identified by section heading in the accompanying analysis. All referenced supporting documentation and exhibits will be made available on request.
Mr. Goodwin's request for an internal affairs investigation in no way shall constitute a waiver of his damage claims against Detective Lillienfeld and all co-conspirators for malicious prosecution; false arrest; violation of his constitutional rights; and all related claims.
Mr. Goodwin and I look forward to your prompt response.
Very truly yours,
Jeffery S. Benice
Jeffrey S. Benice
TO SEE ACTUAL LISTING OF CHARGES AGAINST DETECTIVE LILLIENFELD
CLICK HERE
JSB/cam
cc: John Ascroft, U.S. Attorney General
Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor of California
William Lockyer, California Attorney General
Steve Cooley, Los Angeles District Attorney
Los Angeles County Sheriff Baca
Orange County Sheriff Carona
Gary Schons, Senior Asst. California Attorney General
George Cardona, Office of U.S. Attorney for Southern California
David Brent, Senior D.A. Orange County |
