Defense in Detective’s Murder Blames Killing on 2nd Suspect

The attorney for one of two men on trial in the murder of a Los Angeles police detective told a Van Nuys Superior Court jury Wednesday that his client’s co-defendant did the killing.

Michael V. White, attorney for Ruben A. (Tony) Moss, told the jury that it was actually co-defendant Daniel S. Jenkins who killed Detective Thomas C. Williams and that Moss had no part in the slaying or the conspiracy to kill him.

Moss, 26, of Los Angeles and Jenkins, 32, of North Hollywood are on trial before separate juries for murder and conspiracy to commit murder in Williams’ death. If convicted, they face the death penalty or life in prison without possibility of parole.

Both juries are being overseen by Superior Court Judge Judith M. Ashmann.

Williams, 42, was hit eight times by automatic-pistol fire outside the Faith Baptist Church in Canoga Park on Halloween night, 1985, as he picked up his 6-year-old son, Ryan, from school.

White’s comments came during closing arguments in Moss’ case. Deputy Dist. Atty. Bill Gravlin contended Tuesday that Moss served as Jenkins’ “loyal lieutenant,” making arrangements for the killing and driving the getaway car. Moss has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

But White contended that Moss was not present Oct. 31 at the Faith Baptist Church and played no part in the shooting or its planning.

Prosecutors say Jenkins was the ringleader in a conspiracy to kill Williams in revenge after the detective testified against Jenkins at a trial several hours earlier. Jenkins was convicted of the charges stemming from an October, 1984, robbery and sentenced to eight years in prison.

Three others--Duane Moody, 30, Voltaire Williams, 25, and Reecy Cooper, 33--also are charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder in Williams’ death. They will be tried later.

Jenkins’ case had already gone to jurors, who have been deliberating since July 7.