As the murder trial of Theo Lengyel, accused of killing his partner, Capitola’s Alice Herrmann, enters its second week, prosectors shared entries from Herrmann’s diary and testimony from Lengyel’s neighbor about his erratic behavior as they work to paint Lengyel as someone who struggled with alcohol and anger issues.
Crime
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After cannabis theft ring bust, Santa Cruz business owner still facing charges
Felony shooting charges against Santa Cruz cannabis dispensary owner Derek Hubbard will move forward despite California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s announcement last week of 22 arrests in the breakup of a major retail cannabis theft operation police say was involved in the incident and a string of other burglaries in Santa Cruz County and beyond. Fellow cannabis retailers remain outraged that Hubbard, whom they see as a victim, is being charged with a crime.
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Family of Alice Herrmann sheds light on relationship with boyfriend Theo Lengyel in second day of murder trial
In Thursday’s second day of Theo Lengyel’s murder trial, Santa Cruz prosecutors asked witnesses to recall any emotional, argumentative, violent or abusive moments between Lengyel, 55, and Capitola resident Alice “Alyx” Herrmann, 61. Most of Herrmann’s brothers’ recollections were neutral, and both said that only in retrospect did certain interactions they witnessed seem off. Neither brother, nor a neighbor of Herrmann’s in Capitola, recalled witnessing violence between the two.
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Murder trial begins for former Mr. Bungle musician Theo Lengyel in death of Capitola’s Alyx Herrmann
On the first day of Theo Lengyel’s jury trial, prosecutors painted defendant Lengyel as an alcoholic with anger problems and a history of abusive behavior. Lengyel’s defense attorney did not dispute that he killed his girlfriend, Capitola resident Alice “Alyx” Herrmann, but disputed the characterization of Lengyel as a violent man and argued that Herrmann’s death was not murder.
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After neighbors object, rapist Michael Cheek won’t be placed in Aptos home
After neighbors objected, Michael Cheek, set to be released from a state hospital decades after being convicted of the rape of two young women, won’t be placed in an Aptos home.
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22 charged with retail cannabis thefts that hit Santa Cruz County
A crime ring that had the local cannabis industry on edge has been arrested, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced in a news conference Thursday in Santa Cruz County. The group was responsible for more than $1 million in stolen product from cannabis businesses since August 2023.
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Adrian Gonzalez’s trial delayed; new counsel to be appointed
Adrian Gonzalez’s trial has been delayed into September as new counsel is set to be appointed, a Santa Cruz County Superior Court judge announced Monday. Jury selection in the case, which began last week, will have to start over from scratch. The trial will decide whether Gonzalez, who was convicted of the 2015 rape and murder of Madyson “Maddy” Middleton, will be released from state custody when he ages out of California’s juvenile justice system on his 25th birthday in October.
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As Adrian Gonzalez’s release goes before a jury, attorneys question whether he can get a fair trial
Jury selection began this week for Adrian Gonzalez’s upcoming trial as he seeks release upon aging out of the state’s juvenile justice system this fall, nine years after raping and murdering 8-year-old Madyson “Maddy” Middleton. While Santa Cruz County Superior Court Judge Denine Guy denied a request for a venue change last week, the harrowing details of the case remain a focal point for the community. Given that, can Gonzalez get a fair trial? Longtime defense attorneys aren’t so sure.
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Santa Cruz police without suspects in Crow’s Nest, San Lorenzo River levee shootings
Two shootings less than a week apart, including one outside a popular Thursday night event at the Crow’s Nest restaurant, remain under investigation by the Santa Cruz Police Department. The three victims across the two cases remain in stable condition, but no suspects have been identified in either case.
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Newsom signs new retail theft laws as voters weigh even tougher penalties
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed bills Friday that aim to make it easier to prosecute retail theft. He’s asking California voters to reject a November ballot measure that would impose even tougher penalties.