East Review du lieu suivant : Whittier, California • 1

A Gag denied in tots death BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID WHITTIER DAILY NEWS Staff photo Tori Richards Sen. Ed Royce hands flag to color guard Sgt. Tom Machado of the La Habra Police At La Habra Constitution Plaza dedicated But judge asks caution in sexual assault case By FRANCES YOUNG Staff writer WEST COVINA A judge refused Friday to restrict attorneys and police from talking about the case against a West Covina man charged in the death and sexual assault of his live-in girlfriends 2-year-old daughter. Citrus Municipal Court Judge Robert 0.

Young did urge those connected with the case against Hector Ubaldo Soto, 22, to use common sense when discussing it, but he stopped short of issuing the so-called gag order requested by Sotos attorney. The attorney, Ralph Rios, had argued that "sensationalism and excessive publicity generated by the media could prejudice Sotos case and interfere with his rights to a fair trial. Rios claimed that threats have been leveled against Soto, including numerous anonymous ones to his El Monte law office. The attorney predicted the calls would continue if attorneys and police were allowed to continue talking to the media about the case. Soto is charged with murder, rape, sodomy, child molestation and felony child abuse in the Sept.

11 death of Yahior Jessica Aispu-ro. The child died following a beating at Sotos house in the 2600 block of Pauline Street, where she lived with her mother and Soto. Soto also faces special circumstance allegations of murder during the course of rape and child molestation, which, if proved, could make him eligible for the death penalty. Soto, who told police he is part-owner of a landscape service in the DowTiey-Bellflower area, is being held without bail. He appeared in court in a blue county jail jump suit, with his hands cuffed behind his back.

While Soto stared straight ahead during the hearing, four court bailiffs stood guard throughout the courtroom. The added security measures were not as tight as they had been at a Sept. 13 arraignment for Soto and the child's mother, Martha Araceli Aispuro, 25, who is charged with felony child abuse and being an accessory to murder, rape, sodomy and child molestation. At the earlier hearing, following threats on the couples lives, more than a dozen police and court security people were present and spectators were required to enter the courtroom through a portable metal detector that had been set up especially for the proceeding. At Fridays hearing, Rios took issue with both West Covina police and The Tribune for their handling of the case.

Rios complained that during local and national television coverage of the childs funeral last Monday, Detective Rob Tibbitts discussed the special circumstance allegations that have been filed against Soto. Rios also chided police Lt. Lee Rossman for a remark attributed to him in the Sept. 11 edition of The Tribune, in which the officer reportedly said he could not think of a worse case in the 19 years he had been on the police force. That comment alone is extremely prejudicial and an officer who has been (on the force) that long should know better, Rios told Young.

The attorney also said The Tribune has relished sensationalizing the case by putting it on the front page. Young denied Rios motion without prejudice, which would allow the attorney to make the same request at a later date if he chooses to do so. Expressing his desire that Soto get a fair preliminary hearing in his court, Young said he wanted the proceedings to be as free as possible of any error. But, Young added, he does not believe media coverage of the case has been excessive. He predicted publicity would begin to subside and coverage would be limited to court proceedings, including a future preliminary hearing for the purpose of determining if there is enough evidence to warrant a trial.

(Soto and Aispuro have been ordered back to court Wednesday to schedule a date for that hear-ing.) Deputy District Attorney Gary Heamsberger, the prosecutor in the case, had argued against imposing any type of gag order. He told Young he had no intention of giving out information that could be considered ethically improper whether such an order was issued or not. Heamsberger said after the hearing that he had resisted a gag order because he recognized there are certain newsworthy cases that people want to know about. But the prosecutor also said he understands Rioss attempts to obtain a gag order. Aispuro, whose bail is set at $1 million, was not present during the discussion about the gag order.

Represented by the Public Defenders Office, she appeared only briefly to hear a request, which Young granted, for blood samples to be taken from her and Soto. Young also ordered seminal and salivary samples be taken from Soto. which had flown over the nations capitol, Rep. William Dannemeyer, R-La Habra, praised this nations freedom of press, freedom of assembly and free election process. These precious freedoms are what keeps our country great.

Freedoms we Americans enjoy are nothing more than an experimentation in freedom that we have enjoyed for 200 years, Dannemeyer said. Nexti state Sen. Ed Royce, R-La Habra, told the small crowd that the park will be a reminder to generations of Orange County residents of the importance we as a community place on freedom and rights. Royce presented a state flag which had flown over the state capitol to another color guard. Also present were Orange County Supervisor Gaddi Vas-quez and Mayor William Mahoney.

The $126,000 site also features a plaque at the base of the main flagpole which gives the date of the dedication and the involvement of the La Habra Bicentennial Committee. The committee has been the moving force in everthything that involves the constitution in the city, said Bob Bums, deputy city manager. Two years ago, the site was the location of a large fountain which was built in 1973. It operated until 1978 when it was shut down due to a water shortage and never operated again. Green Hills shopping center moves nearer construction By TORI RICHARDS Staff writer LA HABRA In the midst of a searing heatwave, federal, state and local officials on Friday dedicated a small grassy patch at the intersection of Harbor and Whittier boulevards as Constitution Plaza.

The site borders La Habra Villa retirement home and punch and cakes were served by Villa employees who had set up chairs along the grass for the residents. Police officers served as color guards to raise United States, state and bicentennial flags on 60-foot poles, signifying the bicentennial of the Constitution, ratified on March 4, 1789. Before presenting a flag Crime victims bill vetoed By MIKE SPRAGUE Staff wrijer Gov. George Deukmejian has vetoed legislation that would have made it easier for victims to receive restitution when they do not cooperate with the prosecution because of fear for their lives. I guess we have an honest difference of opinion, said Assemblyman Charles Calderon, D-Whittier, author of the bill.

Calderon said the bill was necessary because the state Board of Control, which administers the fund for victims, has been too arbitrary in denying payments. Under current law, restitution cannot be given if the victim does not cooperate with the prosecution. There are instances in cases of rape, murder, especially those that are gang related, where victims are afraid to testify for fear of their life, said Calderon. Deukmejian in his veto message, called Calderons bill too broad and could hinder law enforcement THE CIRCULARS to look for in today's East Review CIRCUIT CITY TARGET THRIFTY THRIFTYBIG 5 Mental health center spared By TIMOTHY HURLEY Staff writer The county Board of Supervisors reached a compromise Tuesday that will provide $4.7 million for mental health programs and prevent the imminent closure of several clinics. The El Camino Mental Health Center in Santa Fe Springs was spared, with an allocation of But two clinics in Los Angeles will shut down this weekend and several others in the county face major program reductions because the agreement fell about $3 million short of full funding.

Board chairman Ed Edelman offered the compromise motion, stealing the spotlight from Supervisor Pete Schabarum, who was prepared to introduce virtually the same proposal. After the meeting, Edelman said that he originally hoped to restore funding to all of the countys mental health programs. Yesterday, however, he realized he didn't have the necessary votes. I wanted to get this wrapped up today with a unanimous vote, he said. Deane Dana was out of town, and Kenneth Hahn, who was ill, came to the board room to cast an important fourth vote.

Four votes are required for budget amendments. Most of the clinics will be kept open, with the services they need, Edelman declared. Unfortunately, there are other needs we have to address. The bailout funding will come from a portion of about $12 million in windfall property tax revenue discovered after the county budget was adopted in June. Supervisors set an Oct.

1 deadline for the closure of several county and community non-profit clinics, hoping that the Legislature would fund roughly 90 percent of the mental health budget. But state lawmakers adjourned earlier this month without passing a funding bill. Aid sought in finding hit-run driver Public assistance is needed in locating the driver of a truck which hit a 92-year-old woman and fled. Minnie Wells, 92, of Whittier, was hit by the truck Thursday at 3:07 p.m., while crossing Painter Avenue just south of Russell Street, according to Gary Hancock of the Whittier Police I-partment. The truck is described as a 1960s light blue or white Chevrolet.

It had bars across the top the bed. The driver is described as white male, with a beard and curly brown hair. Individuals with information should call Sgt. Richard Hardy 945-8256. Police battle hundreds of anti-base protesters during Quayles visit development requiring enclosed loading dock, storage and refuse collection areas.

Planning Commissioners also changed the proposed delivery hours at the center, compromising between the market firms request for deliveries from 7 a.m. to midnight and nearby residents plea that deliveries be limited to no sooner than 7 a.m. nor later than 4:30 p.m. The commission set delivery hours from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

In other action, the commission denied a request for continuance of a conditional use permit for a Kentucky Fried Chicken Restaurant proposed for the southwest comer of Imperial Highway and Edwards Road. The matter had been continued three times previously, Commissioner Jack Robertson noted. These people dont seem to know what they want, he said. There are too many ifs and thats it. The applicant, Carlson Design, will be allowed to file again without commission prejudice.

jury would find him guilty. The father also said his sons behavior during the trial contributed to the jurys prejudice against him. Ramirez often smirked and once laughed as a rape victim recounted her story. The elder Ramirez also blamed the media. The media turned him into a monster.

Hes really just a poor boy who was raised to believe in Goid, Ramirez-Tapia said. Ramirez was raised a Roman Catholic. The elder Ramirez also said a distinctive bloody tennis shoe print found at the murder sites could not be linked to his son. By VALERIE MARRS Ctaff uiritor LA MIRADA Green Hills Plaza Venture gained another step toward construction of a shopping center when the Planning Commission approved zoning variances allowing the proposed Ralphs Market-anchored center to encroach into required setbacks. The 6.81-acre project, at the northwest corner of Imperial Highway and Santa Gertrudes Avenue is to include several retail commercial shops and another unknovm major store.

A vacant autombile agency and other existing commercial structures on the site will be demolished to make way for the new development. Green Hills Plaza Venture also plans to redevelop the existing commercial centers on the northeast and southeast corners of the busy intersection. While allowing the requested encroachments into the required street setback areas, the commission added conditions onto the month reign of crimes that ended with Ramirezs capture in East Los Angeles in August 1985. Ramirez could face the death penalty in a sentencing phase of the trial that is to begin Wednesday. Ramirez-Tapia said his son felt his conviction was assured more than a month ago when juror Phyllis Yvonne Singleton, 30, of Carson was slain by her estranged boyfriend and Judge Michael Tynan refused to suspend jury deliberations or declare a mistrial.

He told us he felt bad because the juror had been killed, Julian Ramirez said. He said that because of the jurors death, the Night Stalkers father says jury erred in convicting son joining anti-Quayle rallies in the capital. Opposition to the bases is increasing among Filipinos, who see the facilities as an infringement on national sovereignty. Quayle met for about an hour with Mrs. Aquino early Wednesday and gave her a letter from President Bush suggesting talks begin in December on allowing the bases to remain after their lease expires in September 1991.

Mrs. Aquinos executive secretary, Catalino Macaraig, said the government had agreed to the talks and would give Quayle formal notice before he leaves Thursday for Malaysia. Mrs. Aquino, who is to visit Washington in November, has refused to say whether she will support a lease extension. Any agreement on extending, the bases lease must be ratified by two-thirds of the 23-member Senate, where opposition to the, bases is strong.

MANILA, Philippines (AP) Police hurled tear gas Wednesday to disperse 2,000 leftists demonstrating against Vice President Dan Quayle and American military bases here. President Cora-zon Aquino accepted a U.S. offer to discuss the bases future. Quayle called the ambush-slayings of two American civilians on Tuesday cowardly murders and said a majority of Filipinos want the bases to remain. Let me be direct: terrorists will not drive Americans from the Philippines, he told U.S.

troops and dependents at Clark Air Base and the Subic Bay naval base, the largest of the six American installations here. Police fired tear gas after dem-i onstrators refused to end an anti-! base rally near the presidential palace. Riot police also drove back hundreds of others who tried, to march to the main gate at, Clark during Quayles appear- ance. Police arrested 157 people for. From staff and wire reports The father of convicted Night Stalker killer Richard Ramirez believes jurors convicted his son on circumstances of the trial and not evidence in the 13 killings he was found guilty of committing.

If hes guilty, Im not opposed to him being punished. But they should prove these things with the sincere truth, Julian Ramirez-Tapia said. The jury, after about six months of testimony and 22 days of deliberations, found that Ramirez, 29, was guilty of 13 murders and 30 other felonies. Husbands were murdered in their beds and wives were raped the dead bodies in a 14-.