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

Refugees flee Israeli shellingA6 Nation: Clinton says U.S ready for Bosnian air strikesA7 Patrick OlMn Nawe Editor (909) 386-3847 Fax (909) 885-8741 OUTHLAND Tha Sun PagaAS Thursday July 29, 1993 World: County supervisors approve drastic cost-cutting moves Update Los Angeles County was dealt a blow Wednesday when a Judge declared constitutional a state plan to transfer county property tax revenue to schools. Superior Court Judge Diane Wayne rejected LA. County arguments that the tax transfer would violate voter-approved Propositions 13 and 98. Assistant County Counsel -FredBennettsaidheplannedtofileanappealtodaywith the 2nd District Court of Appeal. Budget blues proved a budget plan forwarded by Chief Administrative Officer Harry Huford.

It slashes department budgets by up to 33 percent. Board Chairman Ed Edelman voted against the measure, saying he opposed the severe General Relief payment cuts the plan anticipates. The county departments providing welfare services and health care will be hit hard. Funds for both agencies will be cut more than $100 million, prompting layoffs and longer lines at the facilities left open. As the supervisors deliberated, about 30 people representing a coalition of AIDS health groups staged an angry protest outside the Hall of Administration to protest the health care cuts.

The Department of Health Services will have to close four comprehensive health centers and 20 community health centers. The facilities were set up to take some of the burden off emergency rooms in five county hospitals. "Health care for the medically indigent is a lifeboat," said Connie Norman, director of the AIDS Service Center in Pasadena. "Health care is a human right. If we lose our humanity, we have nothing left to bond us together as a society." Anticipating General Relief cuts, an attorney for the Western Center on Law and Poverty announced his organization will ask a judge to restore welfare payments to last year's $293-a-month level.

Department budgets are slashed by up to 33 per cent; 24 health centers will close. By Dave banks City News Service LOS ANGELES County supervisors gave preliminary approval Wednesday to a range of cost-cutting moves to offset a $1.6 billion revenue loss, an action expected to prompt the layoff of thousands of workers. i On a 4-1 vote, the board ap- The menendez trial UL'S TURNING POINT Q)ff? to sDwj sftairS Only 118 of an expected 250 prospective jurors show up at the downtown Criminal Courts building. By James Anderson The Associated Pfess f. LOS ANGELE The trial of two Black men accused of the riot beating of White trucker Reginald Denny began Wednesday with less than half the expected number of jury candidates showing up for selection.

Only 118 of an expected 250 prospective jurors, appeared at the downtown Criminal Courts building, and Superior Court Judge John Ouderkirk ex- cused 79 for hardship reasons. Trial for Damian Williams, 20, and Henry Watson, 28, is expected to take three months, and jury selection could take three weeks. Some 250 more jury prospects were sum-'. Friend defends going to police Lyle's attorney attempts to tarnish the credibility of a prosecution witness. By Linda Deutsch The Associated Press LOS ANGELES A Princeton University student who informed on his best friend, Lyle Menendez, defended his actions in court Wednesday by declaring, "Friendship transcends a lot of things but homicide's not one of them." Glenn Stevens, who was Lyle's last Princeton roommate before brothers Lyle and Erik Menendez were arrested in connection with their parents' murders, was attacked as a mercenary and a liar by Lyle's lawyer.

Defense attorney Jill Lansing suggested that Stevens wheedled his way into Lyle's life for money. When Beverly Hills entertainment executive Jose Menendez and his wife, Kitty, were slain in August 1989, Stevens acknowledged, he began telling police negative things about his best buddy. By September 1989, Stevens said, he was telling police that Lyle was "arrogant and condescending and spending money in an offensive way." "And this was when you said you were very close, you were best friends?" asked Lansing. "I felt very close to him," said Stevens. "I considered him my best friend.

But after the murders he changed. He was being condescending toward me." "And that made you angry?" asked Lansing. "Yes," said the witness. Under prosecution questioning, Stevens said Lyle "scolded me on occasion like I was an employee. He had obtained this swagger and arrogance I began to wonder whether this was how people react when their parents are killed." Stevens, 25, acknowledged that he accepted money, plane tickets, a car down payment and gifts, including a Rolex watch, from Lyle.

He also was hired to run a Princeton chicken restaurant that Lyle bought and was paid $50,000 a year. Lansing noted that Stevens told a grand jury he never accepted anything from Lyle. The defense says Lyle, 25, and Erik, 22, were molested by their father and killed in self-defense after years of abuse. The prosecution says they killed out of greed and hatred. "We have 'a' low' response TRIAL rate today," Ouderkirk said before individually questioning candidates, pleading hardship for personal reasons.

Williams and Watson are accused of attempted' murder, robbery and other felonies in the April 29, 1992, attack on Denny and seven other victims at Florence and Normandie avenues in South Los Angeles. AP WIREPHOTO A i news helicopter televised' Denny being Georgians Williams, mother of Damiarr Williams, a defendant In the Reginald Denny beating trial, passes roughametaldetectorWednesdayoute.deLoArige.esSuMorurt,, licemen in the' beating of Black motorist Rodney King. Officers seek lenient sentences Update Mayor Richard Riordan pledged Wednesday to the Rebuild LA. board to continue to support the organization's efforts that he helped start as a board member to aid the reconstruction of riot-torn areas. City Nawa Sarvlca If convicted, Watson and Williams could face life in prison.

A small group of people protesting the prosecution demonstrated outside the courthouse Wednesday morning, and about two dozen police officers, riot helmets at the ready, stood at ease inside. The protest quickly dissipated. Ouderkirk urged the racially mixed group of jury prospects to report any contact by demonstrators and to avoid news reports about the trial. Unlike the federal King beating trial, jurors in the Denny case won't be sequestered. But they will be: referred to by number, not by name.

"We don't want outsiders contacting you," the judge told them. "We are really trying to protect your privacy." Prospects were given questionnaires to fill out and hand in before leaving. The questionnaires were withheld from the news media. The judge asked jury candidates to return Aug. 4 for oral questioning.

Defense attorneys said no plea bargaining was under way. "Damian Williams is not interested in a plea bargain," said his attorney, Edi Faal. "He's feelk-. ing good. He's ready." Watson's attorney, Earl Broady said a plea bargain for his client "is always an open possibility." King beating case said.

"I'm asking for probation." The prosecution previously filed a sentencing memorandum urging U.S. District Judge John Davies to sentence harshly. They asked that Powell be sentenced to seven to nine years in prison and that Koon be sentenced to nine to 10 years. The legal maximum is 10 years. The prosecutors said public statements by the two men showed they were unrepentant for their actions.

Stone said the defense sentencing memoranda were ordered filed under seal and declined to detail the arguments. Salzman said Koon didn't assault King and has accepted responsibility for directing his officers to conduct what he still considers a justified beating. SgtStaceyKoon's lawyer wants his client released on probation. By Linda Deutsch The Associated Press LOS ANGELES Lawyers for two White policemen convicted of violating Black motorist Rodney King's civil rights filed legal briefs under seal Wednesday seeking lenient sentences for Officer Laurence Powell and Sgt. Stacey Koon, an attorney said.

"Essentially, we're looking for the lower term," said attorney Michael Stone, who represents Powell. "The range would be 10 to 18 months." But Ira Salzman, the lawyer for Koon, said he wants his client released on probation. "I am not conceding that prison is appropriate," Salzman Trial watch Watfneaday: Glenn Stevens, Lyle Menendez's last Princeton roommate before Lyle and brother Erik were arrested In connection with their parents' murders, Is attacked as a mercenary and a liar by Lyle's lawyer. Today: Attorneys are expected to argue over what therapist L. Jerome Ozlel, who taped sessions with Lyle Menendez, will be allowed to testify about Both juries are excused until Friday.

No matter what the sentence, he said Koon should be released on bail while awaiting resolution of his appeal. Koon and Powell were among four officers tried in federal court after their acquittals on state assault charges sparked three days of riots. Through the palms Southland in brief The odds and ends of Southland life LA. City Council lashes out at media for bashing City of Angels ens away tourists. "Despite our outstanding achievements and attributes," she said, "too much media attention continues to focus on the downside of doing business and living in Southern California.

"For every negative, how about showing a positive?" The measure was passed in anticipation of Wednesday's CBS-TV magazine program, "48 Hours," which planned a segment called, "Has L.A.'s Moment in the Sun Passed?" From The Associated Press Sure the air is dirty, murders are scary and frequent and Los Angeles residents are still cleaning up from last year's riots, but how 'bout those beaches? The City Council approved a motion Wednesday calling on the media to "temper their negative portrayals of Los Angeles with the positive aspects of this area." Councilwoman Laura Chick, who introduced the motion, said the media's penchant for "L.A. Bashing" hurts the city's ability to attract businesses and fright up the freeway at Knott's Berry Farm were weathering a slow season. Knott's said this week it was laying off a dozen workers from its administrative staff, including Karen Yoshikawa, general manager of the park. Yoshikawa also has been in charge of the company's three off-site restaurants and its Camp Snoopy at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn. CAMP PENDLETON Gulf War vet dies A young Marine veteran of the Gulf War and Operation Restore Hope died on base while running with his platoon in training exercises, base officials said Wednesday.

Cpl. James Carter 22, of Charlotte, N.C., died early Monday morning, officials said. The cause of death was un- known and under investigation by the naval hospital on base. From Sun News Services RAIL PACT AWARDED: The Metropolitan Transit Authority awarded a $215 million contract Wednesday to a German firm to build light-rail cars for the Metro Rail system. Siemens Duewag which has a rail car plant in Sacramento, was given the contract on a unanimous vote by the MTA board.

Siemens Duewag will build at least 72 light rail cars. The firm has promised to build an $11 million plant in the Southland. It also has a shared-technology deal with AAI Re-dondo Beach-based TRW Aerojet and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena to build the high-tech rail car. BUENAPARK Knott's trims jobs The summer's business news has been less than amusing for this amusement park town. While officials at Disneyland were considering a $3 billion expansion, their neighbors with air-quality regulations by reducing the number of employees who drive to work.

LOS ANGELES Film finally debuts "Poetic Justice" debuted at Universal City Cinemas to a small matinee audience Wednesday as Black leaders pressured theater owners to apologize for not showing the film during its opening weekend. Leaders of the NAACP also demanded that Cineplex Odeon Corp. retract an executive's statement last week that the Universal City Cinemas delayed the premiere because the theater was "programmed with an upscale demographic." HEART OPERATION: Doctors replaced the faulty aortic valve of 16-year-old Jose Tercero and predicted that the Guatemalan boy would lead a normal life that could even include playing soccer, his passion. Tererowaflii8ted in stable Condition-Wednesday evening in the intensive care unit of En-cino-Tarzana Regional Medical Center. Dr.

Mohammad A. Gha-ravi, chief of cardiovascular surgery at the hospital, said Wednesday's operation went smoothly. Palm springs Bail is revoked in triple slaying A judge revoked bail Wednesday for Michael Schect-er, who is charged with murder in the stabbing deaths of an elementary school administrator, her husband and son. Municipal Judge Arthur Block granted a prosecutor's motion to cancel the $500,000 bail for Schecter, a 40-year-old teacher at Palm Desert Middle School. He is accused of killing Carrie Everhart, husband Mario Amicarella and their son Jon, 6.

Everhart was vice principal of Sunny Sands Elementary School. They were found dead last month in their Cathedral City home. COMMERCE Amtrak station opens The only Amtrak station between Union Station in Los Angeles and Fullerton opened Wednesday. "We vied for it, we won it and we couldn't be happier," Commerce Mayor Ruth Aldaco said at the opening ceremony. Commerce has about 1,800 businesses that employ nearly 50,000 people, the mayor said.

The rail service is expected to help those companies comply The ii o'clock news KABC-TV's Wednesday night broadcast SERIAL RAPIST: A 31-year-old parolee suspected of three rapes in the Huntington Park area was arrested In Los Angeles. RISING CONTROVERSY: Asian-American groups are complaining that 'Rising a film opening this week based on a Michael Crlchton best-seller, is guilty of racial stereotyping. LA. BASHING: The Los Angeles City Council approved a motion calling on the media to 'temper their negative portrayals of the city with positive Datallaabova KIDNAP CASE: Las Vegas authorities pursued leads in the abduction and release of the daughter of gaming magnate Steve Wynn. SHOOTING RAMPAGE: ApatientshotaTularedoctorto death, then went two blocks to another medical office where he killed a physician's assistant and wounded a nurse.

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