Sculpture installation at new LAPD headquarters: art or atrocious?

In today's column, Steve Lopez finds mixed reactions to the six cast-bronze pieces recently installed outside of the nearly completed LAPD headquarters downtown. Police Chief William J. Bratton said he walked by the installation to see whether "it's as ugly up close as it is when you're driving by." A passerby said, "It's nice, but is this a pig, or what is it?"

If you haven't seen the objects in person, take a look at a these photos. Let us know what you think of the installation.

Photo: Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times

Should image influence a jury's decision?

They say that Lady Justice is blind.  But in Los Angeles, Lady Justice also has a keen sense of fashion.

Richard Rodriguez, the gang member who was kicked in the head by an El Monte police officer after a televised car chase, has filed a $5-million legal claim against the city.  But before he appears in court, he'll possibly be undergoing a serious makeover. 

Rodriguez's attorney, Nick Pacheco, has suggested that his client ditch his thuggish look (seen in his mug shot on the left), in favor of a more conservative -- albeit less eye-catching -- visage (seen in the photoshopped version on the right).

In the booking photo, Rodriguez's head is shaved, and the name of his gang hangs over his lip. Tattoos climb his neck. In the "after" rendition, he's wearing a black suit with a metallic gray tie, neatly combed hair and a lush mustache.

Pacheco hopes Rodriguez's makeover will allow the jury to be sympathetic to Rodriguez, who claims to suffer headaches and blurred vision as a result of his arrest.

"People get past looks when you put on a suit and your hair is grown," said Pacheco.

What do you think of Pacheco's strategy?  What does it say about our justice system when a plaintiff feels he or she must disguise certain physical features in order to receive a fair trial?

-- Brendan Bigelow

Photo: Richard Rodriguez, who was kicked in the head by an El Monte police officer, has been advised to cover his tattoos and grow hair to look like the Photoshop image at right. Credit: Law Offices of Nick Pacheco

Arrest of anti-gang leader Alex Sanchez sparks criticism of gang outreach programs

Former MS-13 gang member and anti-gang crusader Alex Sanchez was taken into custody today as a part of a federal indictment of several MS-13 gang members. Sanchez, along with the other suspects named in the indictment, is accused by the FBI of being involved in multiple slayings, extortion and assaults in the Lafayette Park area.

During his youth, Sanchez was an active member of MS-13. After violating parole in 1994, Sanchez was deported to his home country of El Salvador. He returned to the United States a year later and formally renounced his affiliations with MS-13. He would go on to help organize the local chapter of Homies Unidos, an nonprofit organization dedicated to gang violence prevention.

Sanchez gained notoriety a few years ago when authorities attempted to deport him a second time.  Several notable figures came to Sanchez's aid, including former state Sen. Tom Hayden (D-Los Angeles), who testified in his defense. He was eventually granted political asylum after it was found that he had been harassed by the LAPD.

The original L.A. Now article on the arrest has spurred a significant amount of debate. Many readers contended that Sanchez should not have been granted political asylum, and they were critical of gang outreach programs.

"Ho hum. The only ones shocked are those that haven't been reading the paper for YEARS. It's old news that the government is paying "former" gang members to do "outreach." Yes, your tax dollars are funding gang crime and killings. Disgusting and stupid, but no one really cares," wrote windu.

"Silly to think that he actually left MS-13! Silly court to have overturned the deportation and let him stay in the country AFTER he had re-entered illegally! Silly Tom Hayden! Why must we spend tax dollars prosecuting and incarcerating these vicious criminals? I say send them back to their country of origin to rot in their jails! Enough of this!!!! And this is coming from a self-described latino lefty liberal! I am so tired of politicians in general and Latino politicians in particular who don't have the guts to say no to illegal immigration, no to gangs, no to lawlessness because they fear losing face with their latino constituents," said Frankie.

(Read more after the jump)

Readers critical of LAPD detective who is charged with murder

On Monday, prosecutors announced that they had filed murder charges against LAPD detective Stephanie Lazarus in connection with a decades-old murder case. Prosecutors allege that the killing was a result of a love triangle involving Sherri Rae Rasmussen and her husband, who had previously dated Lazarus. Despite reports that Lazarus had threatened Rasmussen before her death, police did not consider Lazarus a serious suspect at the time. For decades, the case remained unsolved.

However, newly analyzed DNA evidence points to a female killer, which exonerates several previous suspects. Police have now refocused their efforts on Lazarus, whose DNA matches the DNA found at the crime scene.

The LAPD's decision not to investigate Lazarus at the time of the killing has sparked a lot of controversy among readers. Many believe that Lazarus' status as an LAPD detective may have exempted her from being considered a suspect.    

"The only difference between cops and criminals is that the cops work for us. Whether a cop is ever investigated for a crime depends more what is happening behind the scenes than whether 'justice' is served," wrote anotherwhiner.

"Wow. LAPD Detective Lazarus got away with murder for 23 years? Nice work, LAPD. Good hire. Nice retention. Excellent promotion (from patrol officer to detective). And, oh by the way, great cover up," said Larry Anaheim.

(Read more comments after the jump.)