Prosecutors won't retry Bruce Lisker in mother's slaying

The Los Angeles County district attorney's office today said it would not retry Bruce Lisker, the San Fernando Valley man whose murder conviction in the 1983 slaying of his mother was overturned by a federal judge last month.

Prosecutors had previously said they would retry Lisker. On Monday they noted that they still stand by the original conviction, but said that retrying Lisker now would be difficult.

"We remain confident in Mr. Lisker's original conviction of the second-degree murder of his mother," the statement said. "Much of the physical evidence has been destroyed. Some witnesses are deceased given the passage of time."

Lisker said he was thrilled by the decision. "How can you put it into words?" he said. "It's unbelievable."

Lisker had been sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of beating and stabbing his 66-year-old mother, Dorka, at the family's Sherman Oaks home. He had planned to fight a second trial.

Prosecutors had previously said they would retry Lisker. On Monday they noted that they still stand by the original conviction, but said that retrying Lisker now would be difficult.

"We remain confident in Mr. Lisker's original conviction of the second-degree murder of his mother," the statement said. "Much of the physical evidence has been destroyed. Some witnesses are deceased given the passage of time."

Lisker said he was thrilled by the decision. "How can you put it into words?" he said. "It's unbelievable."

Lisker had been sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of beating and stabbing his 66-year-old mother, Dorka, at the family's Sherman Oaks home. He had planned to fight a second trial.

Lisker had been sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of beating and stabbing his 66-year-old mother, Dorka, at the family's Sherman Oaks home. He had planned to fight a second trial.

In August, U.S. District Judge Virginia A. Phillips concluded that Lisker, 44, was convicted on false evidence and that his attorney, now a court commissioner, had failed to adequately represent him.

The judge's findings mirrored those of a seven-month Times investigation, published in 2005, which raised questions about key elements of the prosecution's case and exposed the LAPD's investigation into the slaying as sloppy and incomplete.

-- Matt Lait and Scott Glover

Photo:  Bruce Lisker, left, hugs his attorney, William Genego, at the Criminal Courts building in Los Angeles after his case is dismissed. Credit: Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times

Audio slide show on Lisker's life after being released from prison. > > >

Related:

The Homicide Report: Chronicling L.A. County homicide victims.

Comments

[Richard Ivey]

What happened to Bruce Lisker could happen to any one of us. That is why Article One, Section 9, of the U.S. Constitution states: “The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion the public safety may require it."

[Bob]

I'm First!

[J. Bedrosian]

I am thrilled that Bruce Lisker has finally been freed both
from prison and from the threat of another ordeal of another
trial.

I followed his case in the Times and felt moved enough to
write a letter to the Court prior to his release.

I'm certain that he will take every opportunity to make a
wonderful life for himself.

[Greg]

It is sad that despite all the evidence to the contrary the DA's office still cannot admit that a mistake was made in putting Lisker behind bars.

[Ann]

This was the right decision. I was surprised when the DA recently said Lisker would be retried; I just don't think there is enough evidence to convict him a second time and I really doubt his guilt. This should save taxpayers some money.

[Lori]

Yea for Bruce!!!!! I am so happy for him. He had 26 years of his life taken away because of a a lot of things, but especially because of a jerk off cop. Bruce - way to go!!!! Now you can have your life.

[thomas Nelson]

And to think he only had to serve 26 years before the corruption of the legal system was exposed to the point his conviction was overturned.

[Richard Lawrence]

It's about time. I started reading the Times series and could not believe that the detective and the prosecution could still stick to their guns in the face of so much contradictory evidence.

Congratulations, Bruce!

[David Jones]

Bravo!

[TruthTeller]

When DAs make those comments that they still believe the exonerated to be guilty but that they will not re-try them, I lose respect for the criminal justice / legal system in general and for the DAs specifically.

Why can't the DA admit that a mistake was made, that an honest investigation or inquiry will take place to hold those responsible accountable. That errors either insdvertant or purposefull are made in the pursuit of justice and that the DA, the system and all involved will continue to strive for a better system of justice, learning from the errors of the past.

That would show INTEGRITY and HONESTY. Instead the public and Mr Lisker gets weasel words from slimy weaselly dishonest political hack attorneys.

That's the way to build public confidence!!!

[HOMERUN]

Excellent job of reporting in your own investigation Los Angeles Times...
for checking to see if the scales of justice were accurate and fair ...
the use of false evidence on any citizen must always be ruled in violation of Constitutional rights as this case was in being over-turned by the district judge...and inadquate attorney...
There simply was no way they could put a person in double jeopardy by the same party who used false evidence...you would be giving them another opportunity to do so and the guy serves another 26 years and after that ...oh wait...false evidence again...
simply cannot be put into a situation again of double jeopardy...
Thank you Los Angeles Times...

[nobody33]

yea! another murderer is free! Go USA!

[JAMES FERGUSON]

This is "CHANGE". I wouldn't think that this person is a career criminal or a serial killer. Therefore he is not a "real" threat to society. California needs the prison space. The government is going bankrupt and now we must turn this over to GOD and accept that he will make the final judgement.

[Daniel]

Praise the Lord!!

It's time to put the LAPD on trial!

[Avoiding a lawsuit]

The County DA is just trying to avoid a large pay-out for the poor conviction. This will force Mr. Lisker to prove the County should have known. Hard to do.

[Mufon]

"I followed his case in the Times and felt moved enough to
write a letter to the Court prior to his release."

Yes, the Times is known for fair, objective reporting. At least now we can get over the fawning journalism and the posed photos of an introspective freed murderer, and move on to other slanted stories.