KMG365
Well-Known Member
"Alpha Dog" is a movie starring Bruce Willis, Emile Hirsch and Justin Timberlake. It was released in 2006 and is "based on the life of Jesse James Hollywood, a drug dealer who became one of the youngest men ever to be on the FBI's most wanted list." (See IMDB for more movie info.)
Hollywood's trial opened today.
From CTV.ca
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- Jesse James Hollywood ordered the murder of a 15-year-old boy after kidnapping him to force the teen's half-brother to pay a $1,200 drug debt, a prosecutor said Friday during his opening trial statement in the case that was made into the 2007 movie "Alpha Dog."
Deputy district attorney Joshua Lynn told the jury he will present evidence proving Hollywood was the mastermind behind the crimes.
Hollywood killed Nicholas Markowitz "like he pulled the trigger himself," Lynn said. "The evidence will show Mr. Hollywood is a ruthless coward."
Hollywood, 29, sat between his two defence attorneys wearing a black suit and red tie. His chestnut brown hair was combed back, and he often whispered in his lawyers' ears.
Hollywood has pleaded not guilty to kidnapping and murder charges. If convicted, he could be sentenced to death.
Susan Markowitz, the mother of the victim, also was in the packed courtroom.
The trial is expected to last four to six weeks.
Hollywood's lawyer, James Blatt, was expected to give his opening statement later Friday. He has said his client didn't direct anyone to kill Nicholas and wasn't present when the teen was shot and buried near Santa Barbara.
Holding a large photo of Nicholas, Lynn told the jury that the victim was a troubled teen trying to find his place in life while smoking marijuana and fighting with his parents.
Prosecutors believe Nicholas was kidnapped by Hollywood and his cohorts in August 2000 just blocks from his home to put pressure on his half-brother Ben Markowitz to repay money he owed Hollywood for drugs.
Lynn presented a timeline of events surrounding the crime and said he planned to call witnesses who will testify about Hollywood's role. He also said Hollywood provided the gun that killed Nicholas and the car used to drive him to the gravesite.
Hollywood decided to get rid of Nicholas after learning from a lawyer that he could face life in prison for kidnapping, prosecutors have said.
Lynn likened Hollywood's role to a football offensive co-ordinator who sits far from the field and calls the plays.
Hollywood ate dinner with his girlfriend at a steakhouse in the Los Angeles area while Nicholas was murdered and buried, Lynn said.
Four co-defendants have been convicted, including gunman Ryan Hoyt, who was sentenced to death.
Hollywood fled after the killing and was finally captured more than four years later on a beach in Brazil.
The case stalled for years after it was learned that deputy district attorney Ron Zonen had turned over probation reports, police files and other documents to Nick Cassavetes, who directed "Alpha Dog," starring Bruce Willis, Sharon Stone and Justin Timberlake.
Zonen said in court documents that he gave the files to Cassavetes to help publicize the hunt for Hollywood.
An appeals court removed Zonen but the state's highest court and the U.S. Supreme Court eventually ruled that he and the district attorney's office could stay on the case. However, Lynn was assigned to take it over.
Hollywood's trial opened today.
From CTV.ca
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- Jesse James Hollywood ordered the murder of a 15-year-old boy after kidnapping him to force the teen's half-brother to pay a $1,200 drug debt, a prosecutor said Friday during his opening trial statement in the case that was made into the 2007 movie "Alpha Dog."
Deputy district attorney Joshua Lynn told the jury he will present evidence proving Hollywood was the mastermind behind the crimes.
Hollywood killed Nicholas Markowitz "like he pulled the trigger himself," Lynn said. "The evidence will show Mr. Hollywood is a ruthless coward."
Hollywood, 29, sat between his two defence attorneys wearing a black suit and red tie. His chestnut brown hair was combed back, and he often whispered in his lawyers' ears.
Hollywood has pleaded not guilty to kidnapping and murder charges. If convicted, he could be sentenced to death.
Susan Markowitz, the mother of the victim, also was in the packed courtroom.
The trial is expected to last four to six weeks.
Hollywood's lawyer, James Blatt, was expected to give his opening statement later Friday. He has said his client didn't direct anyone to kill Nicholas and wasn't present when the teen was shot and buried near Santa Barbara.
Holding a large photo of Nicholas, Lynn told the jury that the victim was a troubled teen trying to find his place in life while smoking marijuana and fighting with his parents.
Prosecutors believe Nicholas was kidnapped by Hollywood and his cohorts in August 2000 just blocks from his home to put pressure on his half-brother Ben Markowitz to repay money he owed Hollywood for drugs.
Lynn presented a timeline of events surrounding the crime and said he planned to call witnesses who will testify about Hollywood's role. He also said Hollywood provided the gun that killed Nicholas and the car used to drive him to the gravesite.
Hollywood decided to get rid of Nicholas after learning from a lawyer that he could face life in prison for kidnapping, prosecutors have said.
Lynn likened Hollywood's role to a football offensive co-ordinator who sits far from the field and calls the plays.
Hollywood ate dinner with his girlfriend at a steakhouse in the Los Angeles area while Nicholas was murdered and buried, Lynn said.
Four co-defendants have been convicted, including gunman Ryan Hoyt, who was sentenced to death.
Hollywood fled after the killing and was finally captured more than four years later on a beach in Brazil.
The case stalled for years after it was learned that deputy district attorney Ron Zonen had turned over probation reports, police files and other documents to Nick Cassavetes, who directed "Alpha Dog," starring Bruce Willis, Sharon Stone and Justin Timberlake.
Zonen said in court documents that he gave the files to Cassavetes to help publicize the hunt for Hollywood.
An appeals court removed Zonen but the state's highest court and the U.S. Supreme Court eventually ruled that he and the district attorney's office could stay on the case. However, Lynn was assigned to take it over.
