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Prosecutor says cops lost 'moral compass' as closing arguments begin in LAPD trial

LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- Describing them as men who "lost their moral compass," a city prosecutor began delivering closing arguments Monday in the corruption trial of four Los Angeles police officers charged with conspiring to frame innocent people.

Jurors listened intently as Deputy District Attorney Laura Laesecke described two arrests in 1996 that involved an alleged planting of a gun on reputed gang member Allan Lobos, and of conspiring to falsely arrest gang members Cesar Natividad and Raul Munoz for an alleged assault on two officers.

Laesecke asked jurors to focus on the actions of the officers who thought of themselves as "above the law," while trying to suppress gang violence.

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"Yes, gangs are bad, and we've heard about murders and drugs and guns and innocent people being killed," said Laesecke . "Does anybody evil deserve to be framed?"

"They (police) can write down anything they want. They have the power to manipulate the evidence, twist the truth, because who are the witnesses?" asked Laesecke. "Gang members. And who are you going to believe, cops or gang members?"

"As bad as gang members are, " she continued, "what should scare you even more is dishonest cops."

Prosecutors believe all three men were framed based on accounts by former officer Rafael Perez, who was present during those incidents. Perez, who is cooperating with investigators in exchange for a reduced prison sentence on cocaine thefts, told authorities a gun was planted on Lobos while Natividad and Munoz were framed.

In the Lobos incident, Sgt. Brian Liddy and Officer Paul Harper claimed Lobos tried to flee as officers raided a parking lot in a gang-plagued neighborhood in 1996. Lobos allegedly placed a .45-caliber handgun above a tire before surrendering, according to police reports.

Lobos was arrested in that incident and charged with felony weapon possession. His conviction has since been overturned after Perez convinced investigators the gun was planted.

In the Munoz and Natividad incident, Liddy and Officer Michael Buchanan claimed they were struck by a pickup truck driven by Munoz as both men tried to escape during a gang raid. Perez , who was present during the incident, told investigators the officers were never struck by the truck, but they were injured after falling down during a chase.

Munoz and Natividad pleaded guilty to assault charges, but their convictions have since been overturned.

Sgt. Edward Ortiz, who supervised both incidents, is accused of conspiring to obstruct justice and approve false arrest reports. Liddy, Harper and Buchanan are charged with conspiracy, falsifying arrest reports and perjury.

The officers, including Perez, worked in the Rampart Division's anti-gang unit which has since been disbanded.

Prosecutors rested their case without Perez -- who had been expected to be a star witness -- because of problems with his credibility. Sonia Flores, his ex-girlfriend, told federal authorities she witnessed Perez and his former partner kill two people during a botched drug deal. Perez denies those allegations, but he refused to testify unless he was granted immunity.

Prosecutors are expected to finish their closing arguments Tuesday before defense attorneys present their closing statements.

Since the corruption scandal emerged, more than 100 criminal convictions have been overturned, and at least 70 officers are under investigation. Perez has told investigators that officers routinely planted evidence, framed and even shot innocent people during gang raids.

In another case, officer Nino Durden, Perez's former partner, is charged with attempted murder, robbery and assault.

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Prosecution rests in LAPD corruption trial
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October 26, 2000
Testimony in LAPD corruption trial centers on alleged gun planting
October 25, 2000
Indictments issued for two former LAPD officers
October 23, 2000
Witness testifies truck never hit LAPD officers
October 23, 2000
Judge rules testimony concerning alleged Perez murders is irrelevant
October 20, 2000

American Civil Liberties Union
Pittsburgh Police Bureau
Los Angeles Police Department Web site
Justice Department Civil Rights Division
Los Angeles County District Attorney
U.S. Attorney's Office, Central District of California
Federal Bureau of Investigation

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