Nicholas Markowitz

Jesse James Hollywood was found guilty of first-degree murder and kidnapping for ordering the abduction and murder of teenager Nicholas Markowitz in 2000.The 2007 movie "Alpha Dog" was loosely based on the Markowitz murder.  Hollywood's defense argued (unsuccessfully) that the popular movie tainted the testimony of witnesses and may have influenced the jury verdict. Hollywood's sentence is pending - the death penalty is still a possibility.Read Full Story

Nicholas Markowitz News Archive: Nicholas Markowitz murder Jesse James Hollywood escapes death penalty in killing Jesse James Hollywood gets life sentence in Santa Barbara murder Jesse James Hollywood, who inspired ‘Alpha Dog,’ gets life in prison for Nicholas Markowitz murder Wikipedia: Jesse James Hollywood Murerpedia: Jesse James Hollywood Jesse James HollywoodRead Full Story

The penalty phase has started in the trial of Jesse James Hollywood after he was convicted of the murder-kidnap that inspired the movie "Alpha Dog."The proceedings began Monday in Santa Barbara County Superior Court.Hollywood faces death or life in prison in the 2000 killing of Nicholas Markowitz in an escalating dispute with the boy's half-brother, who owed Hollywood money for drugs.The 29-year-old Hollywood said he took the boy but denied ordering his death. Four other men also were...Read Full Story

Jesse James Hollywood has been sentenced to life in prison for orchestrating the kidnap-murder of a 15-year-old boy in a case that inspired the 2007 movie "Alpha Dog."Superior Court Judge Brian Hill on Friday sentenced Hollywood to life without the possibility of parole in a Santa Barbara courtroom after denying a defense motion for a new trial.Hollywood had faced a possible death penalty, but jurors recommended life after finding him guilty of first-degree murder. Prosecutors say Hollywood...Read Full Story

A jury has reached a verdict in the trial of Jesse James Hollywood, who is accused of the kidnapping and murder of a 15-year-old Los Angeles boy whose body was found near Santa Barbara nine years ago.Court is scheduled to convene Wednesday afternoon to hear the verdict. The jury deliberated since last week.The 29-year-old Hollywood is accused of kidnapping Nicholas Markowitz over a drug debt owed by Markowitz's brother, then ordering his death. Hollywood was on the run for years before he was...Read Full Story