The San Bernardino County Sun from San Bernardino, California • Page 3

World: Rwanda rebels claim they hold key cityA5 Nation: Cities can't bar lawn signs, court rulesA6 NATION Clintons questioned under oathA6 GOTHLAND Patrick Olsen News Editor (909) 386-3847 Fax (909) 885-8741 The Sun Page A3 Tuesday June 14, 1994 Police CRIME Riordan may call impasse in talks -I'll A tfj nf ii ixtv 41 rv 2nd victim identified as waiter The Associated Press LOS ANGELES Friends of Ronald Goldman, a 25-year-old waiter, say he volunteered to return a pair of glasses that the ex-wife of football hero O.J. Simpson had left at a restaurant. Hours later, his body and that of Nicole Simpson were found outside her West Los Angeles condominium. The slayings sparked speculation about Goldman's relationship with Mrs. Simpson.

Those who knew him said it was a casual friendship. "They knew each other because she was a customer. But as far as we know, they were not an item or a couple," said Karim Souki, the restaurant owner.Goldman had worked at Mezzaluna for about three months, said Souki. Souki said Mrs. Simpson had eaten an early Sunday dinner at the restaurant with family and friends.

Mrs. Simpson left around 8:30 p.m. and a few hours later, she called back, saying she lost her prescription glasses. John DeBello, the manager, said Goldman's offer to drive them back to her was not a good idea. "With someone of that caliber, it doesn't look good," DeBello said.

Nicole Brown Simpson, 35, and Ronald Lyle Goldman, 25, are found dead from apparent stab wounds in front of Nicole Simpson's condominium. The Associated Press LOS ANGELES O.J. Simpson is not a suspect in the slaying of his second ex-wife, his attorney, Howard Weitzman, said Monday. Before he was taken away for questioning, Simpson was handcuffed briefly at his home. "When I walked in, the handcuffs were immediately undone," Weitzman said.

"Mr. Simpson is not being treated as a suspect He had nothing to do with this tragedy." "We came here to cooperate," Weitzman said. "We did that. There is a continuing investigation. If we are asked to come back, we intend to cooperate." Simpson didn't speak to reporters after he was questioned.

He returned to his home Monday evening. "He is in shock, he is devastated. He had a tremendous amount of feeling for Nicole It's a tremendous loss," Weitzman said. On Sunday, Simpson attended a children's dance recital in West Los Angeles with his ex-wife, then caught a flight for Chicago at about 11 p.m., said Weitzman. Simpson returned at about 11:30 a.m.

Monday after police notified him of his ex- 0 J. and Nicole Simpson Couple were talking reunion ferno." He is a contributing analyst to NBC's NFL pregame show, "NFL Live." In 1989, Simpson pleaded no-contest to wife beating and was ordered to pay a $700 fine, perform 120 hours of community service and continue psychiatric counseling. He was placed on two years' probation. Friends said Simpson and his ex-wife recently discussed getting back together. They filed for divorce in 1992.

"They had a pretty good relationship. He thought she was the world's greatest mother. 1 know they are divorced, but they seem to have a real good relationship; the kids came first," Weitzman said. "They were going to get back together. At least that's what I thought," said Carrie McNitt, a former teacher of the couple's 6-year-old son, Justin.

I i AP WIREPHOTO Former football pro OJ. Simpson tries to keep composed in his attorney's car Monday after questioning by Los Angeles police. wife's death. Simpson in recent years has Simpson checked into the worked as a network TV sports O'Hare Plaza Hotel at 6:15 a.m. commentator and has appeared CST and hurriedly left at 8:30 in commercials and motion pic- a.m., said Peter Phillips, general tures including three "Naked manager.

Gun" movies and "Towering In- I Briseno appears before Board of Rights panel Wilson looking at other sources for quake relief Associated Press LOS ANGELES The City Council could declare an impasse in police contract talks today if a last-ditch effort to settle the nearly 2-year-old labor dispute fails, Mayor Richard Riordan said Monday. An impasse declaration would start a legal process that could allow the council to impose a new contract. "The response to the city's good faith effort by some of the police union leadership has been exasperating," Riordan told a news conference. At the recommendation of a state mediator, the city was on the Police Protective League, the officers' union, to negotiate through the night Mon- I'day, the mayor said. "Let me emphasize that noth-; ing said today and nothing in this process prevents further discussion and negotiation," Rior- dan said.

"For our part, the City Council members and I are com-'f mitted to working around the clock to resolve this dispute." A call seeking comment from the league was not immediately returned. 5 Failure to reach an agreement by today will lead the i- council members who make up the Executive Employee Rela-! tions Committee to recommend to the full City Council that it de-' clare an impasse, Riordan said. The impasse process would include formal mediation and a report by a fact-finder to the City Council, which could impose its last and final offer, he said. Contract talks have been on and off since 1992, with the city Treluctant to give officers more limoney because of budget constraints. The department's 7,600 officers have been working with- out a contract.

In May, the rank-and-file re-' jected a 6 percent raise over two years. Among other things, the union wants retroactive pay raises for the two years that offi- cers have worked without a con- tract. The vote was followed by a "blue flu" that saw hundreds of lieutenants, sergeants, detectives officers call in sick. A court order prohibits the league from organizing walkouts, union leaders insisted the sickout was initiated by officers. Officers were considering oth- er job actions, including sickouts during the World Cup, which runs 'from June 17 to July 17 in neighboring Pasadena, Hank Hernan- dez, the union's general counsel, said.

Starting pay for an LAPD rookie officer is $33,157, 12 per-'cent less than the amount earned 'by new deputies with the Los An- geles County Sheriffs Department. The department's pay ranks 78th among law enforce- ment agencies statewide, said Hernandez. Through Tho nHHc and pnris Officer Ted Briseno Seeking reinstatement especially Officer Laurence Powell were out of control, and that Sgt. Stacey Koon, the supervisor at the scene, did not take proper control. In a news conference last week, Briseno said he was anxious to return to work.

"I've done absolutely nothing wrong," he said. "For three years, you know, my life, my family and have been through an ordeal that no one could comprehend." But the Board of Rights panel is expected to hear statements from an officer opposed to Brise-no's reinstatement. He claims Briseno has a pattern of lying, and that he was not truthful in his testimony during the criminal NORTHRIDGE QUAKE posed for funding from the bond issue must either be absorbed from existing funding sources or not provided," Gould's letter stated. Gov. Pete Wilson ruled out a tax hike, even after voters rejected Proposition 1A 54 percent to 46 percent in last week's election.

The failed bond measure included $950 million to retrofit bridges and overpasses, $575 million for housing loans, $265 million for schools, $145 million for highways and $65 million for public buildings. The state will use $130 million in federal loans to pay the 10 percent matching share that local governments must provide to receive federal aid for local infrastructure costs, Gould said. As proposed, state officials will redraw a $30 billion transr portation program to fund high' way repairs and retrofits. School repairs would be carried out using balances from previous school bond acts. According to Gould, Housing Director Tim Coyle will work with local and federal officials to find funding for the housing loan program for property owners turned down for federal and bank loans.

ed Monday for allegedly kidnapping, sexually assaulting and beating to death a Huntington Beach woman he met at i a nightclub in Orange. Edward i Patrick Morgan, 28, was held without bail pending arraign- ment June 21 in Orange County Superior Court in the May 20 killing of Leanora Annette Wong. The Orange County grand jury also handed down special circumstance allegations against Morgan of murder dur-: ing kidnapping and murder during a sexual assault, mean-ing Morgan could face the death penalty if convicted. From Sun News Services RECYCLE THAT CARTRIDGE! $59 Series 4 $49 Seriesl.ll.ll Laser Printers Laser Printers $40 Sharp Copiers $45 Canon Copiers All Series All PC Models FREE Pick-Up and Delivery visa OMNI-CHARGE mc by Omniltc Resources (909) 788-0741 (800) 736-7866 The Wilson Administration hopes for federal loans, state funds and existing bond funds to aid earthquake recovery. City News Service LOS ANGELES Local governments still can count on some state funds for earthquake repairs despite the voters' defeat of a $2 billion bond measure, a Wilson administration official said Monday.

The administration proposes making up for the failed Proposition 1A by tapping federal loans, state coffers and existing bond funds, state Finance Director Russell Gould said. But other programs including a $575 million lending program of last resort for property owners could be abandoned unless state and local officials find new funding sources. Gould outlined the administration's plans in a letter delivered late Friday to state lawmakers deliberating the 1994-95 budget. "The administration has considered the options available for funding disaster response and believes that costs previously pro- ing into the swimming pool," William Watson, attorney for Kathyleen Giguere, said in closing arguments. Watson conceded that Steven and Kathyleen Giguere lived in a filthy, trash-filled car in which they let a wild rat run loose.

Their infant son, Steven died in that car on Aug. 26. The Gigueres are charged with involuntary manslaughter. To convict them, the Orange County Superior Court jury must find that the parents' actions prior to the baby's death were negligent, and that the harm that came to the child was foreseeable. Santa ana Nightclub slaying A paroled rapist was indict SENIORS 55 APARTMENTS Free CableShuttle Activities 1 Bedroom From 431 2 Bedroom From '528 Carports Garages 882-8485 lncom q-Wied ages)," he said.

"It's mind-boggling." On the stand, Briseno began telling his version of King's beating in Lake View Terrace, much as he did in the three trials. He is officially charged with one count, which reads: "On March 3, 1991, at approximately 0050 hours, at Foothill Boulevard near Osborne Street, Lake View Terrace, you, while on duty, unnecessarily kicked R. King." The complaint, dated March 7, 1991, was signed by former Police Chief Daryl Gates. As it has for more than three years, the George Holliday videotape played a central role in the proceeding against Briseno; department "advocates" used it during their questioning of Briseno. At one point in the tape, Briseno appears to kick or stomp King.

But in testimony in the state and federal criminal trials, Briseno said he was trying to force King to the ground so he could be handcuffed and taken into custody. During the state trial in Simi Valley, Briseno broke a so-called "code of silence" by testifying the officers involved in the beating LOS ANGELES Tedbuster' gets prison term A convicted child molester who pleaded guilty to mailing letters threatening to spark huge fires in Southern California was sentenced Monday to 40 months in prison. Thomas Lee Larsen, 44, of Van Nuys was indicted last November on 77 counts of sending threatening mail. The letters threatened to start brush fires, poison baby food and kill an attorney. In handing down the sentence, U.S.

District Judge Harry Hupp said he hoped Larsen would be sent to a prison where he could receive psychiatric counseling and vocational training. Larsen pleaded guilty Jan. 10 to six counts of threatening to commit arson. WOMEN VETS CENTER: A bill by Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Los Angeles, to improve the government's ability to provide City News Service LOS ANGELES Suspended police Officer Ted Brise-no's lawyer said Monday he will ask a judge to order his client reinstated, based on verdicts in three Rodney King beating-related trials.

Briseno was acquitted by juries in two criminal trials, and a civil jury did not find him liable for punitive damages for King's beating on March 3, 1991. Greg Petersen asked a three-member LAPD Board of Rights panel to reinstate his client. The panel refused, choosing to go forward with a scheduled hearing. As Briseno began his testimony before the board the hearing is expected to last three to six days Petersen told reporters he would seek an emergency writ. "I'm going to ask the Superior Court to order this tribunal to follow the full faith and credit of the Constitution," Petersen said.

He said he wouldn't be asking the judge to interfere with the LAPD panel, but "we can get an order directing them to make certain findings." The attorney said Briseno also plans to file a federal damage lawsuit against the department. "I haven't even figured (dam the palms of Southland life Johnson, a 27-year veteran, spoke of himself in the third person. "What's amazing about this is that Steve Johnson did everything he could possibly do inside the department," he said. "I filed a grievance to try to keep our laundry bag in-house and out of the public's eye," he said. "I didn't want to embarrass the department and didn't want the department to embarrass itself." Jdhnson estimated his attorney's fees at about $250,000 and the county's at $150,000.

In July 1992, he challenged the administrative policy banning the magazine from the county's fire stations; then he retained the attorney for Playboy publisher Hugh Hefner in a federal suit against the county in 1993. He claimed his shift includes personal time and breaks moments when he should be allowed to read what he wants. From The Associated Press Southland in brief iRreflghter in Playboy case gets iwaim welcome back to station medical treatment to women veterans made it through the House Monday on a unanimous vote. The legislation, which still needs the Senate's approval and the president's signature, would create a Center for Women Veterans within the Department of Veterans Affairs. It would help improve women facilities in Veterans' Administration hospitals, or add them where they are needed, and include women in military research trials because "their unique health needs are often given short shrift," Waters said.

Waters said 12 percent of the Armed Forces personnel are women. FlILLERTON Rat attack One of the lawyers for a homeless couple accused of letting their pet rat bite their 4-month-old son to death said Monday that such an attack was not foreseeable. "I think it's a lot more foreseeable about the child walking through nn open gate and fall Los Angeles County Fire Capt. Steve Johnson got back to work Monday and found a Play- in his locker. Johnson, 49, who has been Playboy since he was a "17-year-old Navy communications technician in 1962, returned the remote, male-only Fire Station 114 Monday morning at vLake Los Angeles.

It was the first I time he had been back since a federal judge ruled he could read men's monthly while on duty. He was greeted by his fellow crewmates, who told him last night that he needn't bring any- thing to read during his 24-hour shift. They had taken care of that. A retired fire captain and a volunteer, Kathy Johnston, also were at the Lake Los An-geles station to wish him well. Johnston apparently called KFI talk show host and feminist Tam-rmy Bruce on Saturday to ask her to support Johnson and the fudge's decision,.