Jesse James Hollywood

Attorneys have begun closing arguments in the trial of Jesse James Hollywood, who is accused of kidnapping a teenager over a drug debt and then ordering his death. Prosecutor Joshua Lynn argued that for too long Hollywood had escaped conviction in the August 2000 killing that inspired the 2007 movie "Alpha Dog." Lynn told the jurors: "The time has come." Photos of the decomposed, duct-taped body of Nicholas Markowitz were screened for jurors Tuesday in Santa Barbara County Superior Court. Defense attorney Alex Kessel called the case "manufactured" and accused the prosecution of screening the autopsy photos to emotionally influence the jury. The 29-year-old ... Read Full Story

The prosecution has rested in the trial of Jesse James Hollywood for a murder that inspired the movie "Alpha Dog." A pathologist and a sheriff's lieutenant were the last prosecution witnesses to take the stand Tuesday in Santa Barbara. Jurors were told the defense could begin on Monday. One potential defense witness is "Alpha Dog" director Nick Cassavetes. Hollywood is accused of kidnapping 15-year-old Nicholas Markowitz in Los Angeles in 2000 to force his half brother to pay a $1,200 drug debt. Prosecutors say Hollywood ordered the boy shot a few days later and had him buried near Santa Barbara. Hollywood was captured in ... Read Full Story

An admitted marijuana supplier says he and two friends grabbed a 15-year-old boy off a street nine years ago but that a cohort acting without his knowledge later killed the boy whose slaying inspired the 2007 movie "Alpha Dog." Jesse James Hollywood testified at his kidnapping and murder trial in Santa Barbara, Calif., Tuesday that he was angry Nicholas Markowitz's half-brother hadn't paid a drug debt. Hollywood said he wanted to find Ben Markowitz to end their feud and there was "no purpose or plan" in abducting Nicholas. The defense contends Hollywood did not order the killing and wasn't present. Prosecutors believe the gunman, ... Read Full Story

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