Former Anaheim Man, 49, Charged With 1992 Beating Death Of Live-in Girlfriend
SANTA ANA (CBS) — A 49-year-old former Anaheim resident appeared in court Monday to face charges he allegedly beat his live-in girlfriend to death 18 years ago.
Lawrence Jerome Smith was charged with murder in connection with the Sept. 21, 1992, beating death of Rosalyn Hamilton in their Anaheim home, Deputy District Attorney Larry Yellin said.
Smith's bail was set at $1 million. He is scheduled for arraignment on April 22.
Smith is accused of beating Hamilton into unconsciousness, and then driving her to La Palma Hospital, where he told doctors and nurses he found her unconscious and he had no idea why, Yellin said. When he was told it appeared she had been beaten, Smith ran away, Yellin said.
Investigators suspected Smith at the time and had some evidence, but not quite enough, Yellin said.
"He had blood on his shoes, but they were unable to determine forensically whose blood it was," Yellin said.
Improved technology helped investigators determine recently it was Hamilton's blood on Smith's shoes, Yellin said.
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