In the first two weeks of the murder trial in the death of Capitola’s Alice “Alix” Herrmann, prosecutors have called a parade of character witnesses who have described defendant Theo Lengyel as a combative person prone to alcohol-fueled rages. Lengyel’s defense has aimed to undermine the credibility of these accounts and has argued that Herrmann’s death was not first-degree murder.
Crime
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Santa Cruz City Council will study grand jury reports on handling of rape, housing
The Santa Cruz City Council has deferred its response to two recent grand jury investigations criticizing the city’s handling of rape cases and affordable housing. Though Mayor Fred Keeley initially disagreed with many of the findings, the council decided to form a subcommittee to provide a more comprehensive response.
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Ex-wife alleges pattern of abuse in Theo Lengyel murder trial
The ex-wife of Theo Lengyel, accused of killing girlfriend and Capitola resident Alice Herrmann in December 2023, told jurors in his murder trial on Tuesday that he was controlling and violent over the course of their 17-year marriage.
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Alice Herrmann’s diary, neighbor offer troubled look at Theo Lengyel as murder trial enters second week
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.
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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.
