Lily Burk autopsy shows evidence of a violent struggle, coroner's official says [Updated]

A 17-year-old girl killed last July, allegedly by a transient parolee, had bite marks to her face and ear and had injuries all over her body showing she violently struggled with her attacker, a coroner’s official testified this morning.

Jeffrey Gutstadt, a medical examiner for L.A. County, testified Monday at the preliminary hearing of 50-year-old Charles Samuel, who is accused of kidnapping and murdering Lily Burk. Burk left her Los Feliz home on July 24 on an errand for her mother and never returned. Prosecutors allege Samuel killed the girl after failed attempts to get her to withdraw cash with a credit card.

[Updated at 3 p.m.: Samuel was ordered to stand trial this afternoon for the murder of Burk and other felony counts, including kidnapping, robbery and carjacking.

Judge David S. Wesley found there was “sufficient cause” to believe Samuel is guilty of the crimes, and ordered him to return to court in February for arraignment. The judge denied a motion by Samuel’s attorney to dismiss the case.]

Gutstadt said most of the injuries occurred while Burk was still alive. She was killed by an incision to the right side of her neck, possibly caused by a broken bottle, which would have caused her to lose consciousness within minutes, the examiner testified.

A forensic print specialist for the Los Angeles Police Department testified later in the morning that broken shards of green-colored glass, possibly from a Pellegrino water bottle, were found in the black Volvo where Burk’s body was found. No fingerprints were found on the glass, she testified during cross examination by Samuel’s attorney, Albert DeBlanc Jr.

Gutstadt also testified that more of the wounds were on the left side of the girl’s body. On Friday, prosecutors presented video surveillance images and suggested Samuel drove Burk’s black Volvo. Burk’s body was later found on the passenger side of the vehicle.

The examiner also testified that Burk had sustained abrasions and contusions to her scalp, possibly indicating that her head had been hit against the car’s dashboard or struck from above with an object.

Burk’s mother, Deborah Drooz, clutched onto a handkerchief and quietly sobbed, her body shaking, as the coroner’s official testified. The girl’s father left the courtroom before the testimony began.

Judge David Wesley is expected to rule today on whether there is enough evidence to try Samuel, who had walked out from a residential drug-treatment facility on the day of the killing, in Burk’s murder. Samuel is also accused of committing the murder in the course of a kidnapping, robbery and carjacking, making him eligible for the death penalty.

The hearing is expected to resume this afternoon.

-- Victoria Kim

Photo: Times file

Comments

[Jess]

Such a sad, tragic story. My heart goes out to her mother and father. Lay in Peace, Lily

[NG]

Mr. Samuel should face the death penalty. There is overwhelming evidence that he in guilty. With the brutality in which these crimes were committed, he should face the highest punishment.

[blazingmonk]

My heart goes out to Lily's mother. My deepest sympathies

[David]

Sad. My heart goes out to her family. As a lover of Los Angeles, this story breaks my heart. This guy was and is a true detriment to society. His rap sheet needs an entire ream of paper just to print it.

[Orange County]

the death penalty, give me a break! All that does is give this cockroach a private room for life, go for life and let him "mingle" with the rest of the vermin

[NSchwartz]

Lily Burk certainly did not deserve to have her life ended. This is a tragedy. My deepest condolences to her family and friends.

There are certain people who have lost their right to be a part of society. If Charles Samuel is guilty, I hope he is put away for good.

[cwaeschle]

Beyond tragic. Our deepest condolences as a society to her mother and family.
Unfortunately this criminal who murdered Lily will not even get close to the
same death he meted out to Lily.

Rest in Peace with the Angels Lily!

[Mr. X]

The death penalty in California is an absolute joke. He'll sit in his cell for 15 to 20 years or more before anything happens. His chances of getting attacked by other inmates and getting killed are higher than being excecuted is.

[Shelly]

Lily's parents are suffering so deeply. My heart aches for them. I'm wishing them peace and comfort.

[jose]

How many more Charles Samuel walking around skid row and other parts of Los Angeles free? It's society's fault for allowing Lily Burk's murder! It's the governments' fault for allowing Charles Samuel butcher Lily Burk like an animal for slaughter! Serial killers like Samuel have more rights than victims like Lily Burk! Prosecutors seeking the death penalty for killer Charlie is a joke. Can the prosecutors bring back Lily Burk's life?

[jay]

I keep asking myself how does the 'public servant' who gave him a pass to go to the DMV on a SATURDAY feel? Probably has been promoted!

What a sad and totally preventable tragedy.

[Frank C]

It's a shame we can't have Charles Samuel trial in Texas, where he would be executed after being given a death sentence. Too many liberals in California make it impossible to enforce the death penalty, even against the most violent and socio-pathic killers.

[rosbabies]

My sympathies and prayers go out to her family. Absolutely heartwrenching.

[Aime]

What is the point of the death penalty? He will spend decades waiting in jail appeal after appeal, and when it is finally is his turn, everyone will have forgotten the horrific crime he committed, and he will have famous Hollywood actors on his side. The Death penalty has become irrelevant! Too bad.

[Old Juan]

This thug, when found guilty, will be sentenced to life, thereby enjoying food and shelter for the rest of his miserable existance...or will be sentenced to death, with the same result.

[John]

a life for a life.

[Timber]

Not the purpose of justice to take vengeance. A life sentence is warranted.

[Mike Brown]

Everytime I read an article about this poor girl, I feel sad. How tragic. As for the scum that did this, death by torture. Let him feel the pain.

[Mark]

Try him in Texas.

[Justice For A Change]

And therein lies a solution/proposal @Posted by: cwaeschle: "...Unfortunately this criminal who murdered Lily will not even get close to the same death he meted out to Lily..."
The laws on execution should be changed to mandate these monsters suffer THE SAME EXACT FORM OF DEATH that they visit upon their innocent victims!
Where is the protections FROM "cruel and unusual" for the victims? Where?
Only in Amerika do we pose ourselves as some altruistic example of compassion for those of society that hold life in the lowest of concern. In my book, that is every bit as sick and complicit as the crime the criminal commits.

[Rob]

Here in Hawaii we were all shocked and appalled at the tragic loss of this lovely young woman. Despite being so far removed her loss was felt very far away and still is. Lilly Burke's name is now synonymous with youthful grace and promise tragically cut short. Our aloha to her mother, father and friends.

[Thomas]

A modest proposal:

Instead of the death penalty (which, thanks to an utterly broken system adminstered in large part by its opponents, is a dead letter in California), I believe we should pass legislation introducing the medieval penalty of "outlawry," where the convict is outside the protection of the law, "neither to be helped nor harbored nor fed nor forwarded," and his killing is not deemed a crime.

[daphne]

It's such a heartbreaking story. Lily looks like she was such a bright, full of promise girl. Just something about the photo says to me she was an old soul.

[Jennifer]

RIP Lily...

[jojo]

R.I.P. Lilly...may you frolic with the angels in heaven.