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Manhattan BeachJanuary 29, 20001 Authorities are investigating claims by a woman allegedly choked unconsciousby her fiance who said he was given preferential treatment by police becausehe is a Los Angeles Lakers trainer. Manhattan Beach Police Chief Ernest Klevesahl confirmed Friday that anadministrative investigation is being conducted based on allegations made by35-year-old Wendy Newton, the Daily Breeze of Torrance reported Sunday. Newton's three-page complaint filed with the department, claims officers didnot offer her protection, advise her about domestic violence services orarrest Gary Vitti when she called 911 to report that he had choked herduring a May 29 argument at their home. Vitti, 46, was not taken into custody that night. The district attorney'soffice arrested and charged him less than a week later with one misdemeanorcount of spousal abuse. Klevesahl said he does not believe officers gave Vitti preferentialtreatment, but he did admit that the case was mishandled. "We did make a finding that the whole thing could have been handled betterand we took appropriate action," Klevesahl said, declining to elaborate onwhat officers did wrong and what action was taken. In her complaint, Newton called the department's handling of her case"extremely unprofessional and lacking competence." "I am very disappointed and emotionally distraught about how yourorganization handled this matter, in what seems to be a regular practice ofpreferential treatment toward a local sports celebrity," Newton wrote. Lakers spokesman John Black reportedly had no comment. Calls placed by TheAssociated Press early Sunday morning were not returned by press time. Vitti could not be reached for comment but his attorney, Carl A. Capozzola,said it was ridiculous to believe anyone arrested and charged with a crimereceived special treatment. The investigation, which began May, was reopened Nov. 16 when Newton filedan official complaint about the officers' action in her case. According to a police report obtained by the Daily Breeze, on May 29 anargument erupted between Newton and Vitti when he allegedly demanded shemove her car out of the garage. When Newton refused, Vitti became enraged,grabbed her by the neck and slammed her against the wall, briefly knockingher unconscious. Three officers, Ed Medlock, Gus Valdes and Christian Eichenlaub, respondedto the scene. Medlock, who listened to Vitti's version of the events, saidtheir stories were similar except that Vitti claimed Newton slapped him. "I grabbed her by the neck to get her off of me, and I put her against thewall," Vitti told the officers. After the officers left, Newton went to a hospital for treatment of a soreneck, and the next morning pressed for an investigation. The officers originally reported that they did not see any redness onNewton's neck, however, Valdes and Eichenlaub both later told Detective KarlNilsson that they had noticed it, according to an investigative follow-upreport. Nilsson's reports were submitted to the District Attorney's Office, wherethe case was filed on June 5 and an arrest warrant was issued. Vitti, who faces one misdemeanor count of spousal abuse, surrendered forbooking at the Manhattan Beach police station. He was later released on $500bail. A trial could begin in early March. The department is also looking into statements Newton made about Vittigiving officers free game tickets in order to get out of speedingviolations. Capozzola also denied those allegations. Vitti was hired by the Lakers in 1984 and sits on the bench next to playersduring games ------------ 8 Indicted, Including 4 Sheriff's Employees Government statistics http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/homicide/intimates.htm
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