NBC 4


Could Pellicano Case Fallout Reach LAPD?

POSTED: 9:34 am PDT June 30, 2006
UPDATED: 9:37 am PDT June 30, 2006
LOS ANGELES -- Anthony Pellicano worked as a PI for Hollywood's elite and there's speculation that many may be worried about being caught up in his upcoming wiretapping trial. But fallout from the scandal may reach beyond show-business circles -- to the LAPD.

In an NBC4 investigation, Kelly Mack takes a first look at what may become a firestorm at Parker Center.

Video

KELLLY MACK: When Hollywood private eye Anthony Pellicano was charged with illegal wire tapping and data-gathering in 2003, six others were named in the indictment, including veteran LAPD detective Mark Arneson. Arneson allegedly took bribes from Pellicano to tap into confidential police data-bases. (Indicating video excerpt) He's seen here in an unrelated deposition.

MARK ARNESON (IN VIDEO): I retired from the LAPD in 2003.

MACK: Arneson's career ended with the Pellicano indictment, but for nearly 20 years he served in the Vice and Homicide Squads. And it's the prospect of broader wrongdoing on his part -- spanning other cases -- that sources say has the LAPD worried.

JOHN BURTON (ATTORNEY): He has a reputation for being a very dishonest and manipulative police officer.

MACK: Attorney John Burton is bringing a civil lawsuit against Arneson for allegedly sending an innocent man to jail for 19 years.

HAROLD HALL (FORMER INMATE): They framed me for a double murder, a rape I did not commit.

MACK: In 1985, according to this legal brief, jailhouse snitches implicated Harold Hall in a double murder, allegedly in exchange for favors from Arneson. Arneson and his partners then showed up at county jail and began grilling Hall, who was then just 18 years old and illiterate.

HALL: When I told them I did not commit this crime, they continued to tell me they had witnesses, they had evidence ... and I know that they didn't.

MACK: Hall says the interrogation was like being confronted by a ruthless gunman.

HALL: Your first thought is what do I do to get him not to shoot me ... If he says, "Confess to a murder," you confess to a murder.

MACK: And that's exactly what Hall did -- after 19 hours of questioning

HALL: I was mentally drained and so I told them exactly what they wanted to hear.

MACK :In legal papers Burton says the written confession was doctored by Arneson and assured Hall's conviction for murder. He was sentenced to life without parole. But once behind bars Hall educated himself and 19 years later got his conviction overturned. Now Burton is suing Arneson and other cops for damages on Hall's behalf.

BURTON: He deserves his life back.

MACK: It's not the first time Burton has gone up against Arneson. In 1993 he won a judgment against him for an unlawful search, and according to other case documents LAPD Internal Affairs has investigated Arneson's conduct several times. With the Pellicano indictment however, new questions arise about the ex-officer's performance record, and sources tell us the LAPD may review it.

HALL: I'm sure he's solved many cases but the question is, did he solve it right? Is the right person in prison for that crime?

MACK: We made repeated calls Arneson's laywer in the Hall case, asking for comment on this story. We got no response.
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