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Convicted Murderer of Tarzana Man SentencedBy MICHAEL POLLOCKA 27-year-old Van Nuys man, who pleaded guilty to a charge of murder in connection with the bludgeon slaying of a 40-year-old Tarzana man slain June 12, has been sentenced to state prison for five years to life.John Kendal Dowis of 14217 Vanowen St. received the sentence Tuesday from Superior Court Judge Armand Arabian in Yan Nuys.The sentence was imposed after the magistrate found Dowis committed second degree murder in the slaying of Richard Lee Williams of 18122 Miranda St.Dowis entered a guilty plea to an open charge of murder on Dec. 2. The plea was made with the understanding that Judge Arabian would determine whether the defendant committed first or seconddegree murder.The jurist also made a recommendation Tuesday that Dowis be committed to the State Dept, of Corrections medical facility at Vacaville.The recommendationwas made because the de-2fendant has a history of narcotic abuse, a court official said.Dowis is one of three men being held responsible for the murder of Williams.Trial for a second defendant, Ronald Oliver Reach 22, of 14722 Vanowen St.,Concert PlannedConcert pianist' Morris Wolfson will present singers Ida Engel and Naomi Standish in a varied program of songs Sunday at 2 p.m. in a free public concert at the Los Angeles Jewish Home for the Aged, 18855 Victory Blvd.Van Nuys, charged with murder and robbery, is' scheduled to resume today in Dept. S of Superior Court.Judge Arabian, who presides in' that court, has ordered that special security ' precautions be taken for the trial.One of those, precautions is that spectators will be searched prior to being allowed in the courtroom, a court official said.• A third defendant, John Ralph Radciiffe 18, of 14217 Vanowen St., who also is charged with murder and robbery, has been allowed to have his case separated from Reach’s trial.Radeliffe is scheduled to stand trial on Feb. 27 in Dept. S.The three defendants . allegedly lured Williams to Reach’s apartment June 12 last year.Authorities said Williamswas robbed, beaten with a hammer in the apartment and his body was placed in a trunk which was dumped over an embankment in Big Tujunga Canyon.Police reportedly received information about the slaying on June 25.A follow-up investigation resulted in arrest warrents being sworn out for the defendants.Dowis reportedly surrendered to Van Nuys Area police. Radciiffe turned himself in in Chattanooga, Tenn., and Reach was apprehended in Canada.Bail for Radciiffe has been set at $50,000. Reach is being held in lieu of posting $100,000 bond.
Newspaper Details
Van Nuys Valley News
Van Nuys, California, US
Thu, Feb 13, 1975
Page 14
Full Page
Clipped by
Deborah S.
USA 27 Dec 2022
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