Murder Charges Dropped Against Venice Hotelier in Shooting of Homeless Man

LOS ANGELES, CA - A man suspected of fatally shooting a transient during a disturbance in Venice last summer was ordered today to stand trial, but charges were dismissed against a hotel owner who was being prosecuted along with him.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Elden S. Fox found sufficient evidence to require Francisco Guzman, 29, to proceed to trial on one count each of murder, attempted murder and possession of a firearm by a felon, according to Deputy District Attorney John McKinney.

But the judge granted the defense's request to dismiss one count each of murder and attempted murder against Guzman's co-defendant, Sris Sinnathamby, the 55-year-old owner of the Cadillac Hotel on Dudley Avenue.

Sinnathamby's attorney, Alan Jackson, said his client was "absolutely ecstatic about the fact that he has been vindicated (of) the charges that he absolutely did not commit."

He said that it had been an "almost yearlong nightmare" for Sinnathamby, and noted that he expects to ask that his client be declared factually innocent of the crime.

The case stemmed from the fatal shooting of Jascent Warren, 26, shortly after 2 a.m. on Aug. 30 near Rose Avenue and Ocean Front Walk.

A second person was shot in the leg.

Warren was among a large crowd of people in front of the Cadillac Hotel when a fight broke out over who was camping where, witnesses told reporters shortly after the shooting.

Guzman was arrested Oct. 5 by Los Angeles police and has remained in jail since then.

Sinnathamby was arrested Aug. 30 by Los Angeles police and released on bond Sept. 2.

City News Service