December 13, 2024 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Opening Statements Heard In Kelly Soo Park Trial For 2008 Model Murder Case:

Opening statements were heard Wednesday in a downtown LA court room in the trial of 47-year-old Kelly Soo Park who is accused in a murder-for-hire plot against aspiring model Juliana Redding in Santa Monica.

Park pleaded not guilty at her arraignment July 6, 2010 for killing the 21-year-old who had moved to LA from Arizona.

Redding’s body was discovered in her Santa Monica apartment on the 1500 block of Centinela in March 2008.

Park allegedly entered Redding’s apartment and physically assaulted her, causing her death. Park was arrested at her home in Camarillo on June 17, 2010.

Prosecutors allege that Redding previously dated Park’s boss, Dr. Munir Uwaydah, and he was close to launching a pharmaceutical business with Redding’s father, but the father backed out of the deal.

According to court documents, Park allegedly acted as a type of enforcer, using threats, intimidation and bullying on behalf of Dr. Uwaydah. Park was said to have received hundreds of thousands of dollars from Uwaydah before her arrest.

Prosecutor Stacy Okun-Weise (Deputy District Attorney) told the jury on Wednesday, “A woman she did not know, a woman who beat and strangled her until she had her last breath of air.”

Okun-Weise said it took two years to find a suspect, adding investigators first tested the DNA of 40 women Redding knew, but there was no match.

Okun-Weise said detectives then turned to Uwaydah’s associates.

“Through cigarettes, through swabs, and she submits those to the crime lab,” Okun-Weise said. “And guess what, all of those samples are eliminated except for one person – the defendant.”

Park’s attorney said his client had no motive.

“They have no evidence, and you’ll see that there’s no evidence, that shows that Kelly Park would have any reason to commit a brutal crime like this,” said Defense attorney George Buehler. “Forensic evidence, the DNA evidence, fingerprints, are not conclusive. DNA evidence doesn’t tell you when it got there or how it got there.”

Dr. Uwaydah has since moved to Lebanon and was never charged in the case.

in News
<>Related Posts

Sen. Allen to Host Annual Holiday Toy Drive

December 13, 2024

December 13, 2024

The Toys Will Be Distributed to Local Families Through Partnerships With My Stuff Bags Foundation and the Assistance League of...

Home Safety Assessments Prevent Your Loved Ones from Falling

December 13, 2024

December 13, 2024

Steer Clear of Accidents with Safely Home Again’s Fall Assessments A call at 3:40 a.m. jolts you from a deep...

 Malibu Schools To Remain Closed Friday, December 13 Amid Continuing Franklin Fire Issues

December 13, 2024

December 13, 2024

SMMUSD Announces Continued Closures for Malibu Schools, Resources for Families As promised, The Santa Monica-Malibu School District has updated the...

Malibu Updates Recovery Efforts as Franklin Fire Containment Reaches 30%

December 13, 2024

December 13, 2024

Officials Outline Repopulation Plans, Damage Assessments, Ongoing Support The City of Malibu provided updates on Thursday, December 12 regarding the...

Piano Teacher Arrested by SMPD on Child Sex Abuse Charges

December 13, 2024

December 13, 2024

The Alleged Incidents Took Place at the Student’s Home and at His Music Studio in Beverly Hills’ French Conservatory of...

Film Review: Nightbitch

December 13, 2024

December 13, 2024

FILM/ REVIEWNIGHTBITCHRated R99 MinutesReleased December 6th Nightbitch is reminiscent in style of a 1960’s-1970’s avant-garde film. It candidly explores the...

Coastal Commission Approves Development Permit for Venice Dell Housing Project

December 12, 2024

December 12, 2024

Despite Approval From the Los Angeles City Council in 2021 and 2022, the Project Has Faced a Series of Lawsuits...

(Video) Look Inside Ghirardelli’s New Shop in Santa Monica

December 11, 2024

December 11, 2024

The Store Offers Sundaes, Shakes, and Various Chocolate Gifts The Store Offers Sundaes, Shakes, and Various Chocolate Gifts. pic.twitter.com/XJsr4BeNGq —...

Holey Moley Brings Food, Fun Drinks, Mini-Golf, and Karaoke to the Third Street Promenade

December 11, 2024

December 11, 2024

Whimsical Cocktails, Comfort Food, and Immersive Putt-Putt Courses In Santa Monica Holey Moley Golf Club, a new entertainment venue by...

Court Rulings Spell the End of Proposed Merger Between Albertson’s and Kroger

December 11, 2024

December 11, 2024

Grocery Chain Announces Kroger Lawsuit in Separate Press Release Albertsons Companies, Inc. has announced the termination of its proposed merger...

Breaking News: Lana Negrete Named Mayor as Santa Monica Swears in New City Council Members

December 11, 2024

December 11, 2024

Dan Hall, Ellis Raskin, Barry Snell, Natalya Zernitskaya Begin Their Four-Year Terms Newly-elected Santa Monica City Councilmembers Dan Hall, Ellis...

(Video) The Watermark at Beverly Hills Offers Boutique-Style Living for Seniors

December 11, 2024

December 11, 2024

For More Info, Go To Watermarkcommunities.com For More Info, Go To https://t.co/MYpWd0S4Gf pic.twitter.com/hjBquT5QSY — Santa Monica Mirror (@SMMirror) December 11,...

Franklin Fire Update: Over 3,000 Acres Burned, New Shelter Opened, Malibu City Government Relocated

December 10, 2024

December 10, 2024

Homes and Structures Impacted; PCH and Major Roads Closed as Firefighters Battle Blaze The update from the city government of...

San Vicente Santa Monica: New Luxury Club Opens as a Haven for L.A.’s Elite

December 10, 2024

December 10, 2024

Cindy Crawford and Laura Dern Have Expressed Enthusiasm About the New Venue A new luxury private club has opened its...

Malibu Schools Closed December 11 and 12 Due to Franklin Fire and Power Outages

December 10, 2024

December 10, 2024

Evacuations, Road Closures Persist as Firefighters Battle Extreme Conditions Gail Pinsker, Community and Public Relations Officer for the Santa Monica...