The Honorable Board of Supervisors
County of Los Angeles
383 Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration
500 West Temple Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Dear Supervisors:

RECOMMENDATION REGARDING ALLOCATION OF
REWARD FUNDS IN THE MATTER OF THE SHOOTING
DEATH OF CORRIE WILLIAMS

IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT YOUR BOARD:

Approve recommendation of the Reward Committee to distribute reward funds in total amount of $12,500, to be paid equally from the Board's discretionary funds, to the individual who provided information to law enforcement which led to the arrest and conviction of one of three persons responsible for the shooting death of Corrie Williams.

PURPOSE OF RECOMMENDED ACTION

On Thursday, January 16, 1997, Corrie Williams, a 17-year-old student at Centennial High School in Compton, was shot and killed during a dispute between rival gang members while riding on an MTA bus. Ms. Williams was an innocent victim who was riding the bus on her way home from school.

On January 21, 1997, on motion of Supervisor Burke, your Board established a $12,500 reward fund for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the shooting death of Corrie Williams.

The Honorable Board of Supervisors
March 18, 1999
Page 2

On January 24, 1997, an individual provided information to law enforcement regarding the whereabouts of Robert Johnson, who was wanted for the murder of Corrie Williams. The individual saw news reports concerning the murder and realized he knew one of the suspects. The individual agreed to try to locate Mr. Johnson who was suspected to have fled Los Angeles County to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. After a conversation between Robert Johnson and the individual was taped by the Los Angeles Police Department, Mr. Johnson was apprehended by the Milwaukee Police. On January 25, 1999,
Robert Johnson, Randall Amado and Wilbert Pugh were convicted of first degree murder, and are now serving a sentence of twenty-five years to life.

One claim was filed for the $12,500 reward offered by your Board by an individual who wants to remain anonymous. In accordance with provisions of the County Code, your Board must now consider the claim and make a final determination for distribution of the reward funds.

JUSTIFICATION

In 1993 the Board of Supervisors adopted an amendment to the County Code which established procedures for offering cash rewards for information leading to the apprehension and/or conviction of persons guilty of criminal acts. Your Board, from time to time has offered such rewards to encourage citizens to come forward and assist law enforcement with their investigations.

A panel made up of individuals representing the Sheriff, Chief Administrative Officer, County Counsel and Executive Officer of the Board reviewed the claim filed for the reward funds. The District Attorney's Office was consulted regarding the case. The panel has recommended that $12,500 be awarded to the claimant.

FISCAL IMPACT

The Board of Supervisors established a $12,500 reward fund. Pursuant to provisions in the County Code, the reward is to be paid from the Board of Supervisors' discretionary funds in equal shares of $2,500 from each members' account.

FINANCING

The financing will come from discretionary funds within each Supervisorial District.

The Honorable Board of Supervisors
March 18, 1999
Page 3

FACTS AND PROVISIONS/LEGAL REQUIREMENTS

The action recommended is in compliance with the County Code, Title 4 - Revenue
and Finance relating to rewards.

The attached notice was published in the Long Beach Press Telegram, which informed the public of the filing period for persons claiming the reward money. In addition, the reward notice was posted on the Board of Supervisors' web site. The filing period to submit a claim to the Executive Office for the reward money expired June 20, 1997. During the filing period one claim was received from an individual who wants to remain anonymous.

IMPACT ON CURRENT SERVICES (OR PROJECTS)

There is no impact on current County services.

Attachment

031899.Williams.rew

c: District Attorney
Sheriff
Chief Administrative Officer
County Counsel
Auditor-Controller

NOTICE OF $12,500.00 REWARD OFFERED BY THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO THE ARREST AND CONVICTION OF THE PERSON OR PERSONS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEATH
OF 17-YEAR-OLD CORRIE WILLIAMS WHO WAS SHOT AND KILLED AFTER A DISPUTE BETWEEN TWO SUSPECTED GANG MEMBERS ON AN MTA BUS WHICH TOOK PLACE AT THE CORNER OF AVALON BOULEVARD AND IMPERIAL HIGHWAY IN SOUTH LOS ANGELES ON JANUARY 16, 1997


Notice is hereby given that the Board of Supervisors of the County of Los Angeles is offering a $12,500.00 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of
the person or persons responsible for the death of 17-year-old Corrie Williams, a senior at Centennial High School in Compton, an innocent victim on her way home from school who was shot and killed after a dispute between two suspected gang members on an MTA bus, at the corner of Avalon Boulevard and Imperial Highway in South Los Angeles on Thursday, January 16, 1997.

Any person having any information related to this crime is requested to call
Detective Valenti or Detective Smith at the Los Angeles Police Department, South Bureau Homicide at (323) 237-1310 and refer to Report No. 961805124.

The terms of the reward provide that:




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REWARD NOTICE
PAGE 2


Any claims for the reward funds should be filed with the Executive Officer of the Board of Supervisors, 500 West Temple Street, Room 383 Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration, Los Angeles, California 90012, Attention: Corie Williams Reward Fund. For further information, please call (213) 974-1747.

Si no entiende esta noticia o si necesita mas informacion, favor de llamar a este numero (213) 974-1747.





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