Pat LaLama Reports: Dramatic Interrogation Moments Revealed To Jury In Lazarus Trial
February 18, 2012
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Stephanie Lazarus
The Interrogation: Day 9
They were some of the most dramatic moments I’ve seen in a courtroom. The 2009 videotaped interrogation of LAPD Detective Stephanie Lazarus.
The Internal Sting Operation
Lazarus, who at the time was assigned to the department’s elite Art Theft detail, doesn’t know she’s a suspect in the 1986 murder of her ex-lover’s bride, Sherri Rasmussen. Two homicide detectives—her own peers-- have to trick Lazarus into following them to a second floor interview room in the jail division. It’s an area where no guns are allowed. The homicide detectives wanted to make sure Lazarus was not armed.
That’s where the videotape picks up for the jury to see.
The Interrogation
Lazarus is asked about John Ruetten, the husband of the victim. Almost immediately Lazarus seems anxious. She plays down the relationship she had with Ruetten in the 80’s. “It was kind of a weird relationship. I can’t say I was his girlfriend. It didn’t work out.”
Lazarus becomes wide eyed and frenetic. “What’s this all about? She asks the question repeatedly. With further questioning she seems to swallow harder and speak faster.
When asked if she knew Sherri Rasmussen, Lazarus answered “I may have met her.” But you can almost see the wheels spinning in Lazarus’ head. If she’s guilty of murder, she had to be wondering just what her fellow detectives knew. But she’s a good cop too—knows how to play the game--and it’s fascinating to watch the interaction.
After a while, Lazarus admits she actually met and spoke with Rasmussen at the hospital where she worked. But check out how she played it. Lazarus told homicide detectives that John Ruetten, Sherri’s fiancé at the time kept contacting Lazarus and she wanted it to stop.
Lazarus told detectives she once confronted Rasmussen because she wanted to get John off her back. “If he’s dating you, he’s calling me. Why don’t you tell him to knock it off? That’s what she told detectives she said to Rasmussen.
It was riveting. Then the judge recessed until Tuesday. Darn! I was on the edge of my seat; waiting for the moment she’s told she is the prime suspect.
On Tuesday I will have much more. And you’ll probably be able to see some of the videotaped interview. Stay tuned...
One more thing from the courtroom today. Shortly after Rasmussen’s murder in 1986, Lazarus made a police report claiming her backup weapon was stolen from her personal vehicle..
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Photo Credit:
Former Los Angeles Police Officer Stephanie Lazarus at Los Angeles Superior hearing Wednesday, July 29, (AP Photo/Nick Ut)
Comments
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I believe she's guilty! I feel bad for her because she was tricked into being interrogated! She thought she could get away with it just because she knows the tricks but... its not happening
Posted by: Isabel | February 21, 2012 at 05:40 PM
T&T (Sprocket and Co.) covers this so much better.
Posted by: LMD | March 06, 2012 at 05:47 PM