Jesse James Hollywood convicted of first-degree murder and kidnapping

Jesse James Hollywood was convicted this afternoon of first-degree murder and kidnapping for ordering the slaying of a San Fernando Valley teenager in 2000.

 The Santa Barbara County Superior Court jury was given the case July 1 after a six-week trial and nine years after the kidnapping and murder of 15-year-old Nicholas Markowitz of West Hills. Hollywood was the alleged mastermind behind the slaying.

The crime was the model for the 2007 movie "Alpha Dog." Defense attorneys argued that the crime's notoriety tainted the testimony of witnesses and prejudiced the public against their client.

Hollywood could receive the death penalty.

Markowitz was beaten up, forced into a van near his home and driven to Santa Barbara by Hollywood and a couple of his friends. Prosecutors contended the aim was to hold Markowitz until his older half-brother Ben made good on a $1,200 drug debt to Hollywood, an admitted marijuana dealer.

 Defense attorneys said Markowitz was free to go shortly after the group arrived in Santa Barbara and that a Hollywood friend named Ryan Hoyt opted to kill the boy to win the defendant's approval. On July 1, prosecutor Joshua Lynn repeated his description of Hoyt as a lackey who would do anything -- including commit murder -- for the more popular Hollywood.

"What would not elevate his status would be to do it against Hollywood's orders," he said. Hoyt has been sentenced to death. Graham Pressley, who dug Nicholas' grave in the Santa Barbara foothills, was sentenced as a juvenile and has been released.

In his testimony, Pressley said another accomplice, Jesse Rugge, contended that Hollywood had offered him $2,000 to kill the boy, which he refused. Rugge was acquitted of murder but given a life sentence for aggravated kidnapping.

Attorney Alex Kessel contended Pressley fabricated the conversation to earn an early parole.

--Steve Chawkins in Santa Barbara

Photo: In this 2005 file photo released by Brazilian federal police, Jesse James Hollywood, who was convicted first-degree murder and kidnapping, is seen at a federal police precinct in Brazil. Credit: AP Photo/Brazilian Federal Police, File

Comments

[Denise]

Why is this breaking news?

[Lili]

Who? I've never heard of these people.

And believe me, I keep abreast of the news around the country and the world. And I'm a former L.A. resident. Perhaps this story just isn't a major matter.

After all, "Alpha Dog" wasn't exactly a major motion picture, as it turns out.

[RC]

Did not see this one coming, considering the weak case the prosecutor had put up. But who has a doubt that Hollywood is not guilty anyway...

[John]

I'm going to rename him: Jesse James San Quentin

[Chuck Wavy Dean]

Good, glad to hear it. Hollywood is a low-life and the world will be a better place without him around. It sounds pretty certain he will get the death penalty. It is great to see him go from a cocky punk drug dealer to a convict facing the death penalty.

[Craigslist Search]

Holly S. !! Is that the same Jesse James who's the Dead Man ?

[FreeganLife]

It's about time.

[Josie]

Put JJ in a cell with Peterson

[steve]

I'm usually anti-capitol punishment but I'd make an exception for this little twit.

[Ezra Sugar]

Bye Bye Jesse

looks like you are going to join your friend Hoyt on D.R. anyway, im sure you will be very popular with the immates. since you are such an alpha dog maybe you can run the roost at the penn?

[Erin]

To the dummy above who hasn't heard of this story and so it "isn't a major matter" and the next one who thinks this isn't breaking news...? I say to you: wake up and have a little respect and compassion. What possess you to say such silly things? Isn't the death of an innocent, LOCAL young man and the conviction of one of his murderers important news whether or not you've heard about it before? This boy's family and friends have suffered long enough, don't torture them more by questioning the relevance of this certainly newsworthy case- Justice has been served.

[Brian , Phoenix AZ]

When I read comments like those by Denise and by Lili, I remember yet another reason WHY I left Los Angeles a decade ago - for every decent resident I knew, I met others who were completely devoid of compassion for the suffering and death of a young man like Mr. Markowitz, much less able to comprehend the relevance of bringing his killers to justice. That this group of criminals was put away by the justice system is a comfort for Markowitz's family (and for society in general), but I hope that there is an afterlife and a place named Hell, because Hollywood and his dirtbag friends should burn for this.

[Billl Fish]

Denise and Lili get a life! Obviously you do not keep up on the news. I am not one to surf the web except for what I am looking for and I came upon this story. Have some compassion for the family that suffered!

The movie was not made to take home Oscars, it was a story about what happened and executed fairly well if you ask me. There were a lot of facts that pertained to the real life events that took place.

Denise Writes: Why is this breaking news?

You obviously don't care that there are people like this living next to you or you wouldn't say something as stupid as that. I am glad they caught this low life. Now when he dies he will pay for what he did and the true justice will be upon him.

[Andy]

I am glad to hear the culmination of this case was a deserved verdict!

Although a UK resident, I have been following the developments of this case since it came to my atteention (before the production of "Alpha Dog" I might add), and I feel saddened to see some people have been unable to seperate the character from the film, from this real life monster.
It is a shame that people abuse the comments section.

I think it commendable of the Santa Barbara County Deputy District Attorney to serve as an aid in "Alpha Dog," sometimes it helps to use modern mediums to make people more aware of such hanus crimes as this one.

Thank you again LA Times.

[M McLaughlin]

The DA was using terms like, 'mastermind'
in a case that involved a debt total sum of 1300 dollars.
Pressley's testimony could easily have been bs.
Hollywood aint that stupid to knock some guy's brother off for 1300$, was he? Hard to believe. I think Hoyt might have gone to extreams.
Lesson to be learned in any case?...
PAY YOUR POT BILL.

[Mike]

Wow if anyone since had seen Dateline on ID this man was in was a very controlling freak, I can not believe anyone could say what some did as if it didn't matter or they didn't see the movie. Hello were talking about a kidnapping,muder,and trying to get away with it. Not to mention his free life down in Brazil and father a baby trying to stay there. People what about the Markowitz's,Fater,Mother..their child,and how they were torn. His Brother Ben who has to live with his part. Have some sence and see and put the shoe on your foot.Shame such a wasted life of a young man.And the pain and suffering for all who's involed.