Prominent Los Angeles attorney, Jeffrey Tidus, fatally shot

[GentleBreeze]

http://www.q13fox.com/news/nationworld/sns-ap-us-attorney-killed,0,3171516.story

ROLLING HILLS ESTATES, Calif. (AP) — A prominent attorney died Tuesday after he was shot in the head outside his California home.

Jeffrey Tidus was shot Monday around 8:30 p.m. as he was fetching a laptop from his car. His wife heard a single gunshot ring out and rushed outside to find him lying in the driveway behind his blue Toyota Prius, sheriff's homicide Lt. Dave Dolson said.

"There are certain factors about it that indicate it could be a targeted killing," Dolson said. "We haven't ruled anything out."

No weapon was immediately found but sheriff's deputies and volunteers peered in hedges and scoured around surrounding houses along the street looking for clues. A scent dog was brought in to assist Tuesday evening.

[lune3]

OMG, this is in my neighbourhood, a few streets over. My daughter knows his daughter. Oh this is shocking. I don't believe this.

Here is the local article with a video.

http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/ci_13951019

[GentleBreeze]

OMG, this is in my neighbourhood, a few streets over. My daughter knows his daughter. Oh this is shocking. I don't believe this.

Here is the local article with a video.

http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/ci_13951019

I am sorry to hear this, lune.

It is strange because Fox said that they had just arrived home and all had gone inside and he went back out to retrieve the laptop and at that moment in time was shot and killed.

imo

[lune3]

I am sorry to hear this, lune.

It is strange because Fox said that they had just arrived home and all had gone inside and he went back out to retrieve the laptop and at that moment in time was shot and killed.

imo

Thank you Gentle Breeze.

Nothing ever happens here, just the occasional burglary.

He was targeted, must have been. The street is a dead end street...no traffic other than residents.
I don't know the family. But I have to tell my daughter,... she has a final today. Geesh, the fellow who committed suicide in San Luis Obispo is also from here, at least from the neighbouring community...that really shook my D up as it is, and she didn't know him that well.
I feel so bad. I can't believe this....he was a good man. I'm just shocked.

My condolences to the family...I hope they catch whoever did this.

[tootie]

This is terrible. It does sound as if he was targeted but just in case lune3 you stay safe until the suspect is caught. Prayers for the family. :sad:

[annalyzer]

I am sorry to hear this, lune.

It is strange because Fox said that they had just arrived home and all had gone inside and he went back out to retrieve the laptop and at that moment in time was shot and killed.

imo

That sounds hinky imo. How would the perp know he was going back outside to get something? :unsure:

[lune3]

No weapon at the scene.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/12/detectives-didnt-find-weapon-where-la-attorney-was-shot-adding-new-twist-to-mystery.html

[GentleBreeze]

That sounds hinky imo. How would the perp know he was going back outside to get something? :unsure:

Yes, that is what is very strange about the entire thing, anna.

imo

[lune3]

Yes, that is what is very strange about the entire thing, anna.

imo

I think it is related to his work. I think that the perpetrator was lying in wait. That Mr Tidus came out to retrieve his laptop was coincidental IMO and the perp took the opportunity right there and then. He may have planned to enter the home during the night. He may have been stalking the home for a while.
What I don't get is that it's a dead end road ...however, on one side it's brushy and hilly, and very close by is a park. He may have been on foot, with his vehicle parked near that park. If this was a contract hit, the perp may have used a rifle and not been actually close to Mr Tidus.

An article from yesterday:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/12/detectives-look-to-attorneys-cases-hoping-to-unravel-shooting-death-outside-palos-verdes-home.html

[Leanne Weich]

I think it is related to his work. I think that the perpetrator was lying in wait. That Mr Tidus came out to retrieve his laptop was coincidental IMO and the perp took the opportunity right there and then. He may have planned to enter the home during the night. He may have been stalking the home for a while.
What I don't get is that it's a dead end road ...however, on one side it's brushy and hilly, and very close by is a park. He may have been on foot, with his vehicle parked near that park. If this was a contract hit, the perp may have used a rifle and not been actually close to Mr Tidus.

An article from yesterday:
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/12/detectives-look-to-attorneys-cases-hoping-to-unravel-shooting-death-outside-palos-verdes-home.html

I wonder why this has not been classified as a homicide yet?

[KatieLady]

OMG, this is in my neighbourhood, a few streets over. My daughter knows his daughter. Oh this is shocking. I don't believe this.

Here is the local article with a video.

http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/ci_13951019

I have been to the Childs Play store many times in both Redondo and Irvine.

This is so shocking and sad :sad:

:rose:

[VC2]

I wonder why this has not been classified as a homicide yet?

I think they are just dotting every i and t, given that it is an attorney, the comment about suicide or rather not answering was in response to a reporters question.. Doesn't seem to be the type of attorney though that would even get threats let alone a hit man, you see that more with criminal or domestic attorneys however people get just as crazy over money too.

I cant see it as a suicide, not in his own driveway just after they returned from the store. imo he would have either done it at home when alone, or driven off somewhere alone if that was his decision and left a note, rather than have his family terrified of some nut that might come after them too.

I agree its most likely lying in wait and pray thats what it is bc i really don't like the other alternative.

IMO

[Stellagant]

I think they are just dotting every i and t, given that it is an attorney, the comment about suicide or rather not answering was in response to a reporters question.. Doesn't seem to be the type of attorney though that would even get threats let alone a hit man, you see that more with criminal or domestic attorneys however people get just as crazy over money too.

I cant see it as a suicide, not in his own driveway just after they returned from the store. imo he would have either done it at home when alone, or driven off somewhere alone if that was his decision and left a note, rather than have his family terrified of some nut that might come after them too.

I agree its most likely lying in wait and pray thats what it is bc i really don't like the other alternative.

IMO

It's a possible suicide or homicide. He may have hired a hit on himself to make it appear murder so that family could collect life insurance or one of his clients may be worried about what he knows.

New Century has been listed as a client in some of the news articles:

http://money.cnn.com/2009/12/07/news/companies/new_century_fraud.reut/index.htm?cnn=yes

[aproudmom]

OMG, this is in my neighbourhood, a few streets over. My daughter knows his daughter. Oh this is shocking. I don't believe this.

Here is the local article with a video.

http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/ci_13951019

Omg lune I am so sorry I will be praying for everyone:sad:

[GentleBreeze]

Jeffrey Tidus (Photo via Baute & Tidus)The fatal shooting of prominent attorney Jeffrey Tidus continues to raise eyebrows as detectives investigate the case's mysterious circumstances. 53-year-old Tidus was found shot to death outside his Rolling Hills Estates home at around 8:30 on Monday morning. His wife claims he'd gone outside to retrieve his laptop from his blue Toyota Prius, but he did not return. The computer was spotted "on the lawn, with blood visible on the driveway," but the L.A. County Sheriff's Department revealed this morning that they "did not find a weapon at the scene," according to LA Now.

Initial speculation pointed to suicide, since the victim "was killed just hours after top executives at a firm Tidus represented, New Century Financial, were accused of fraud by federal regulators," notes the LA Weekly's crime blog. However with no weapon found nearby, such a possibility seems unlikely, but detectives have yet to proclaim the case a homicide.

http://laist.com/2009/12/09/the_strange_death_of_jeffrey_tidus.php

[lune3]

I don't believe it was suicide. On his own driveway, so suddenly after returning from the store and getting gifts, and then to have his wife find him like that? He would IMO have committed suicide more "privately", and left a note for his family. This is a close family from what I understand.

Where's the weapon? I'd like to know what kind of firearm was used. And if his driveway had a security light. It's dark as anything on that street, no street lamps, and the back of those homes are semi wooded and hilly, horse properties, stables etc, a bridle path. The perp may not have come on that street by vehicle. Evidently none of the neighbours who came out saw a vehicle take off.

[dkny]

This sounds like a hit. They should secure his files as a precaution. JMO.

[lune3]

Investigators continue to probe lawyer's shooting death:

"One of the clients listed on Tidus' Web site was New Century Financial, a subprime lender that collapsed three years ago. Three former New Century officers were charged Monday with securities fraud, but attorneys connected to the case said that Tidus was not involved in it."

Underlined by me....
Any possibility that this tragedy may be related to Monday's conviction of the three executives looks a lot less likely.

ttp://www.dailybreeze.com/news/ci_13963869?source=rss

[Silk]

This person as I read is a family man and very close with his family. I highly doubt if he hired someone to kill him and would have had them do it at his home in his own driveway with his children around, to see him like that. (and his wife for that matter)
He could have easily had it done in some parking lot or elsewhere.

I doubt if it was a hit either cause how would they know he was going to come out to retrieve his laptop. In addition, if it was a hit then they would have taken every opportunity with or without his family in front of him.
The entire murder is odd, however. Nothing was taken.

[SaraSidle]

Wierd that the neighbor found him shot and not his wife. IMO

[AJandTam]

This person as I read is a family man and very close with his family. I highly doubt if he hired someone to kill him and would have had them do it at his home in his own driveway with his children around, to see him like that. (and his wife for that matter)
He could have easily had it done in some parking lot or elsewhere.

I doubt if it was a hit either cause how would they know he was going to come out to retrieve his laptop. In addition, if it was a hit then they would have taken every opportunity with or without his family in front of him.
The entire murder is odd, however. Nothing was taken.

Silk, if you listen to the video it says that he had been out at a function w/this wife, and that he had only one daughter who is in college. Probably not even there. JMO, but I don't know if i'd rule out the wife yet. if this was a hit. The reason why is that they'd shown up together from the function, yet he goes back out to get a laptop. How come? Coincidental if someone was waiting to make a hit, they did so when she was not present. Lucky break for her, and she hears gunshots but doesn't go out to him. ?? Sounds fishy to me. Did she send him out to get the laptop? May not be that way. Just my thoughts on the story so far.

[GentleBreeze]

Silk, if you listen to the video it says that he had been out at a function w/this wife, and that he had only one daughter who is in college. Probably not even there. JMO, but I don't know if i'd rule out the wife yet. if this was a hit. The reason why is that they'd shown up together from the function, yet he goes back out to get a laptop. How come? Coincidental if someone was waiting to make a hit, they did so when she was not present. Lucky break for her, and she hears gunshots but doesn't go out to him. ?? Sounds fishy to me. Did she send him out to get the laptop? May not be that way. Just my thoughts on the story so far.

I have to agree, This is a very strange case.

Leaves a lot of questions imo.

My hubby's first response is to look at Mr. Tidus' wife. It was just a gut feeling though. He said things just don't add up to him.

I sure hope they find out who did this to this man and who was behind it.

imo

[AJandTam]

I have to agree, This is a very strange case.

Leaves a lot of questions imo.

My hubby's first response is to look at Mr. Tidus' wife. It was just a gut feeling though. He said things just don't add up to him.

I sure hope they find out who did this to this man and who was behind it.

imo

I'm w/Mr. GB on this one. That was my first response too. We'll see how it goes, but as it stands right now. I'd be looking at her too.

[R~O~S]

I'm w/Mr. GB on this one. That was my first response too. We'll see how it goes, but as it stands right now. I'd be looking at her too.

I realize they simply must rule out those closest to him before anything else, but lacking anything obvious like infidelity or recent trouble in the relationship my first thought is more to his work.

This line in the story Lune posted is interesting:

He also served as an arbitrator and mediator in civil disputes.


With the economy the way it is, people are doing irrational things. Civil disputes are always emotional.

Of course, the infidelity or marriage issues never seem to be the first thing reported, those things come out over time. Lots of troubled marriages look really pretty on the surface. People paint the picture they want the public to see, that doesn't make it reality.

[AJandTam]

I realize they simply must rule out those closest to him before anything else, but lacking anything obvious like infidelity or recent trouble in the relationship my first thought is more to his work.

This line in the story Lune posted is interesting:




With the economy the way it is, people are doing irrational things. Civil disputes are always emotional.

Of course, the infidelity or marriage issues never seem to be the first thing reported, those things come out over time. Lots of troubled marriages look really pretty on the surface. People paint the picture they want the public to see, that doesn't make it reality.

There were a couple of factors that made me lean in that direction. But as you say.. whatever factors there were, they aren't usually the first thing you hear. It evolves. Money and infidelity could both play a factor here. he might have been about to divorce her for a bimbo and here ya go. And I agree 100 percent. Sometimes things are not what they seem. This could be personally related, could be job related. It's still early. We'll see.

[birdwatch]

Silk, if you listen to the video it says that he had been out at a function w/this wife, and that he had only one daughter who is in college. Probably not even there. JMO, but I don't know if i'd rule out the wife yet. if this was a hit. The reason why is that they'd shown up together from the function, yet he goes back out to get a laptop. How come? Coincidental if someone was waiting to make a hit, they did so when she was not present. Lucky break for her, and she hears gunshots but doesn't go out to him. ?? Sounds fishy to me. Did she send him out to get the laptop? May not be that way. Just my thoughts on the story so far. If she is like me - she headed for the bathroom as soon as she got home - and that may be in the back of the home. If they have good double-glazed windows she may not have heard the shot - or not have recognized a noise as a gunshot. Its not something you would expect to hear in that neighborhood.
Did she hear the gunshot? I missed reading about that if she did. Was there more than one shot?
And how could they have considered suicide for even 2 seconds if the gun wasn't lying right there beside him?

[R~O~S]

If she is like me - she headed for the bathroom as soon as she got home - and that may be in the back of the home. If they have good double-glazed windows she may not have heard the shot - or not have recognized a noise as a gunshot. Its not something you would expect to hear in that neighborhood.
Did she hear the gunshot? I missed reading about that if she did. Was there more than one shot?
And how could they have considered suicide for even 2 seconds if the gun wasn't lying right there beside him?

BBM to respond:

Because if there's an insurance policy that's under 2 years old & therefore still within the contestability period, suicide would void the policy. All the beneficiary would get is the premiums paid to date. I'm not suggesting this is what happened, but if that were the situation it would be an incentive for the beneficiary to remove the weapon before the authorities arrived.

OTOH, it's also possible someone just walking by found it and took it without any incentive just to have a gun that couldn't be traced to them.

I realize this is an upscale neighborhood and people wandering around at that hour probably wouldn't go unnoticed, but stranger things have happened & it is likely to be a neighborhood with service related people coming and going, gardeners, housekeepers, nannies, at least that's my impression.

They do need to rule it out, and they will be able to determine if it was or wasn't possible for the wound to be self inflicted.

[birdwatch]

BBM to respond:

Because if there's an insurance policy that's under 2 years old & therefore still within the contestability period, suicide would void the policy. All the beneficiary would get is the premiums paid to date. I'm not suggesting this is what happened, but if that were the situation it would be an incentive for the beneficiary to remove the weapon before the authorities arrived.

OTOH, it's also possible someone just walking by found it and took it without any incentive just to have a gun that couldn't be traced to them.

I realize this is an upscale neighborhood and people wandering around at that hour probably wouldn't go unnoticed, but stranger things have happened & it is likely to be a neighborhood with service related people coming and going, gardeners, housekeepers, nannies, at least that's my impression.

They do need to rule it out, and they will be able to determine if it was or wasn't possible for the wound to be self inflicted. I just don't see a "spontaneous suicide" in the driveway of his home (as PS' defense suggested Lana Clarkson had done).
If the neighbor heard the shot and came out to discover the victim, it seems unlikely the wife would have had a chance to snatch up and disappear the gun (unless, like Tiger's neighbor -he came out to see what was wrong without a phone and had to go back to the house to get it). I do see the possibility that someone else could have snatched up the gun. My goodness - can you imagine leaving a dying man on the ground while you steal the nearby gun? Certainly stranger things have happened. :sad:

[R~O~S]

I just don't see a "spontaneous suicide" in the driveway of his home (as PS' defense suggested Lana Clarkson had done).
If the neighbor heard the shot and came out to discover the victim, it seems unlikely the wife would have had a chance to snatch up and disappear the gun (unless, like Tiger's neighbor -he came out to see what was wrong without a phone and had to go back to the house to get it). I do see the possibility that someone else could have snatched up the gun. My goodness - can you imagine leaving a dying man on the ground while you steal the nearby gun? Certainly stranger things have happened. :sad:


I honestly don't believe suicide is going to turn out to be the COD. I just understand the reason they have to rule it out. I think, anyone bent on suicide is going to make sure there isn't someone nearby to stop them. Knowing his wife had just gone in the house, he knew that wasn't the case. She was up & awake.

I do see the shooter taking the gun with them & that shooter could have been anyone, which is why they need to rule out the wife. On one hand I hope they did a GSR test on the wife that night. On the other hand, can you imagine making that request to a spouse when their husband was just rushed off to the hospital in that condition?

Of course, without the autopsy results, we don't know the weapon wasn't a rifle with the shot coming from much further away than we might imagine. I have not seen them state clearly it was a hand gun. Perhaps I missed it.

[birdwatch]

I honestly don't believe suicide is going to turn out to be the COD. I just understand the reason they have to rule it out. I think, anyone bent on suicide is going to make sure there isn't someone nearby to stop them. Knowing his wife had just gone in the house, he knew that wasn't the case. She was up & awake.

I do see the shooter taking the gun with them & that shooter could have been anyone, which is why they need to rule out the wife. On one hand I hope they did a GSR test on the wife that night. On the other hand, can you imagine making that request to a spouse when their husband was just rushed off to the hospital in that condition?

Of course, without the autopsy results, we don't know the weapon wasn't a rifle with the shot coming from much further away than we might imagine. I have not seen them state clearly it was a hand gun. Perhaps I missed it.
We really haven't had much info yet, have we? They haven't said anything about the type of gun or how many shots they think may have been fired, that I have seen.
I agree about the GSR; tough thing to do at that time. But surely they have to do that. It must be SOP, I would think. The test could help clear her right away if she didn't do it - or if they begin to think she did do it - they would look like fools for not having checked that little detail.

[darcie]

Jeffrey Tidus (Photo via Baute & Tidus)

*snipped by me for band width*

Initial speculation pointed to suicide, since the victim "was killed just hours after top executives at a firm Tidus represented, New Century Financial, were accused of fraud by federal regulators," notes the LA Weekly's crime blog. However with no weapon found nearby, such a possibility seems unlikely, but detectives have yet to proclaim the case a homicide.

http://laist.com/2009/12/09/the_strange_death_of_jeffrey_tidus.php


Maybe Jeff knew TO MUCH about the fraud case.....and someone was going to kieep him silent??

[lune3]

I honestly don't believe suicide is going to turn out to be the COD. I just understand the reason they have to rule it out. I think, anyone bent on suicide is going to make sure there isn't someone nearby to stop them. Knowing his wife had just gone in the house, he knew that wasn't the case. She was up & awake.

I do see the shooter taking the gun with them & that shooter could have been anyone, which is why they need to rule out the wife. On one hand I hope they did a GSR test on the wife that night. On the other hand, can you imagine making that request to a spouse when their husband was just rushed off to the hospital in that condition?

Of course, without the autopsy results, we don't know the weapon wasn't a rifle with the shot coming from much further away than we might imagine. I have not seen them state clearly it was a hand gun. Perhaps I missed it.

I don't believe this was a suicide at all either, nor do I believe that a gun may have been picked up...highly improbable. This is a quiet residential street with family homes and regular people. As for suspicion about his wife, I don't believe it. This was a very close family.

I am leaning to this being a professional hit, and have also been thinking that the weapon was a rifle with a scope. Many of these homes are horse properties. Behind both sides of the street the land slopes down to the horse corrals and stables, with a bridle path going along behind them. These bridle paths are accessible to anyone. The perp could very well have parked his vehicle on another street, or in the nearby park area, and walked unseen to the area of the home. None of the neighbours witnessed a car driving away. It's also very dark, there are no street lamps. There is also a short length along the street where there are no homes, ..I wonder if Tidus' home is located opposite to this stretch.

Evidently they found one shell casing, I expect they already know what kind of firearm was used.

Here is a street view...not sure if it takes you directly to the zoomed in view.

http://www.mapquest.com/maps?1c=Palos+Verdes+Peninsula&1s=CA&1a=[4600-4657]+Sugarhill+Dr&1z=90274&1y=US&1l=33.7943&1g=-118.3585&1v=BLOCK&2c=Rolling+Hills&2s=CA&2y=US&2l=33.756901&2g=-118.353104&2v=CITY

Oh drat, the link doesn't take you there....type in Sugarhill Drive Rolling Hills Estates in the "Address" box, choose option 2, 4600 block of Sugarhill.

[lune3]

Maybe Jeff knew TO MUCH about the fraud case.....and someone was going to kieep him silent??

He wasn't involved in that particular case. His firm was, but not him personally.

[R~O~S]

Lune, I really don't suspect the wife either, at least not with what's been said so far. That could always change, but I don't blame LE for doing what should be standard practice. I understand the police have to eliminate that possibility.


Looking at the aerial photo just makes me lean more heavily toward a rifle shooting & someone laying in wait for him. Getting out of there without notice would have been easy.

It's difficult to determine where a rifle shot originated, especially at night, at least it is for me. My DH can tell better than I can, he's usually right. I don't know why, his hearing is not perfect & mine is, or so I'm told.

[GentleBreeze]

Maybe Jeff knew TO MUCH about the fraud case.....and someone was going to kieep him silent??

But attorneys never reveal what they know.

When is the autopsy report suppose to be done?

imo

[R~O~S]

But attorneys never reveal what they know.

When is the autopsy report suppose to be done?

imo

They were only one of his many clients, and he wasn't involved in any of the security fraud according to Lune's article. He does entertainment and trademark law, not securities. He also does mediation and arbitration for civil cases.

I don't understand how he could be involved so deeply in a securities fraud investigation that his knowledge would be that threatening. Am I missing something?

The client, New Century Financial, went under three years ago, they were a sub prime lender & clients of the firm. He didn't necessarily have any involvement with them at all & it doesn't seem likely given his area of law. :shrug:

Attempting to repost Lunes link for reference:

http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/ci_13963869?source=rss

[GentleBreeze]

Lune, I really don't suspect the wife either, at least not with what's been said so far. That could always change, but I don't blame LE for doing what should be standard practice. I understand the police have to eliminate that possibility.


Looking at the aerial photo just makes me lean more heavily toward a rifle shooting & someone laying in wait for him. Getting out of there without notice would have been easy.

It's difficult to determine where a rifle shot originated, especially at night, at least it is for me. My DH can tell better than I can, he's usually right. I don't know why, his hearing is not perfect & mine is, or so I'm told.

It is still strange. If there was a sniper up in a wooded area how would he know he would be coming back out again to the car by himself? It is pitch dark here by 8:30 pm so he would have to be an ace shooter with an infrared scope.

The police are pretty good about determining from what direction the bullet came from just by the way it entered his head.

Another thing that is strange is paramedics thought he had fallen and had head injuries and his wife said that by the time she got there there was a blood pool around his head which would take a few minutes to form. Weren't they told in the 911 call that a gunshot had been heard?

I really don't know who did this crime but I sure hope LE tracks it down.

How close was his vehicle to the main road? tia

imo

[GentleBreeze]

They were only one of his many clients, and he wasn't involved in any of the security fraud according to Lune's article. He does entertainment and trademark law, not securities. He also does mediation and arbitration for civil cases.

I don't understand how he could be involved so deeply in a securities fraud investigation that his knowledge would be that threatening. Am I missing something?

The client, New Century Financial, went under three years ago, they were a sub prime lender & clients of the firm. He didn't necessarily have any involvement with them at all & it doesn't seem likely given his area of law. :shrug:

Attempting to repost Lunes link for reference:

http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/ci_13963869?source=rss

ITA! I dont think his murder had anything to do with his clients or past history with them.

imo

[AJandTam]

If she is like me - she headed for the bathroom as soon as she got home - and that may be in the back of the home. If they have good double-glazed windows she may not have heard the shot - or not have recognized a noise as a gunshot. Its not something you would expect to hear in that neighborhood.
Did she hear the gunshot? I missed reading about that if she did. Was there more than one shot?
And how could they have considered suicide for even 2 seconds if the gun wasn't lying right there beside him?

LOL, I don't know if she is like you or not but I am. I don't know about the window's theough. We have those and I hear everything because we live in a quiet country neighborhood. True enough she might have heard something but didn't know what it was. Do we know how many shots were fired yet?? I wonder how long between when he got shot and the neighbor found him?

As for suicide. I can't say I get that either.

[AJandTam]

I honestly don't believe suicide is going to turn out to be the COD. I just understand the reason they have to rule it out. I think, anyone bent on suicide is going to make sure there isn't someone nearby to stop them. Knowing his wife had just gone in the house, he knew that wasn't the case. She was up & awake.

I do see the shooter taking the gun with them & that shooter could have been anyone, which is why they need to rule out the wife. On one hand I hope they did a GSR test on the wife that night. On the other hand, can you imagine making that request to a spouse when their husband was just rushed off to the hospital in that condition?

Of course, without the autopsy results, we don't know the weapon wasn't a rifle with the shot coming from much further away than we might imagine. I have not seen them state clearly it was a hand gun. Perhaps I missed it.

I really wasn't thinking that the wife might have done this herself. I was thinking more of her having it done.

[R~O~S]

It is still strange. If there was a sniper up in a wooded area how would he know he would be coming back out again to the car by himself? It is pitch dark here by 8:30 pm so he would have to be an ace shooter with an infrared scope.

The police are pretty good about determining from what direction the bullet came from just by the way it entered his head.

Another thing that is strange is paramedics thought he had fallen and had head injuries and his wife said that by the time she got there there was a blood pool around his head which would take a few minutes to form. Weren't they told in the 911 call that a gunshot had been heard?

I really don't know who did this crime but I sure hope LE tracks it down.

How close was his vehicle to the main road? tia

imo

They may not have, they may have been settled in expecting to wait until he came out in the morning, or intended to take the shot when they got home and didn't have the clear shot or missed it only to have the second chance unexpectedly made available. Worse yet, this could have been totally random, just somebody staked out waiting for the first available victim to make themselves available & Mr. Tidus was the one who did.

I agree, LE knows by now where the shot came from and the weapon they're looking for, but they haven't told us yet. So we're just guessing.

But GB, it can be very difficult to see an entry wound if the caliber is small at the scene with a live victim. The priority had to be medical attention rather than determining directionality and caliber at that moment in time.

If they didn't have a live victim on scene, I'd expect they would have more information initially than they did/do, or maybe they do and I'm just underestimating how close to the vest they're holding it. :shrug:

Reposting the aerial link, we don't know the exact address, but if you zoom in the the A in a star that's the 4600 block. It looks like a good distance to any main road, lots of little well kept residential streets but no real reason to be there if you don't live there.

http://tinyurl.com/yg22ejc


ETA: That link didn't work so well, but if you follow the blue line north it will bring you to the star.

[lune3]

(snipped)

How close was his vehicle to the main road? tia

imo

It depends where his vehicle was parked. If he WAS parked on that street, the closest road would be Palos Verdes Drive N, from which Sugarhill is accessible by way of another quiet residential road (Masongate). PV Dr. N is also residential but is a through road. If he parked at Ernie Howlett Park and then walked along the bridle path, that park is entered by way of a main traffic road that takes you off the peninsula pretty quickly. I'm just wondering whether the access to Ernie Howlett park is gated and closed at night. I will have to check that out since I often drive by that access. Can't remember if there's a gate. He may also have parked on any neighbouring street and made his way to that one via the bridle paths. Lots of possibilities really.

[lune3]

I'm thinking ...On Monday we had a storm, very heavy rain. By the evening/night it was pretty much over other than high winds. With damp earth, there would be visible footprints. Those bridle paths are for the most part used by people on horseback, or walking along with a horse. Tuesday was dry and sunny, so I expect the paths were used that day. I wonder if LE has investigated the paths, if there were prints that were not accompanied by horse hoof prints. Just a thought.

[GentleBreeze]

It depends where his vehicle was parked. If he WAS parked on that street, the closest road would be Palos Verdes Drive N, from which Sugarhill is accessible by way of another quiet residential road (Masongate). PV Dr. N is also residential but is a through road. If he parked at Ernie Howlett Park and then walked along the bridle path, that park is entered by way of a main traffic road that takes you off the peninsula pretty quickly. I'm just wondering whether the access to Ernie Howlett park is gated and closed at night. I will have to check that out since I often drive by that access. Can't remember if there's a gate. He may also have parked on any neighbouring street and made his way to that one via the bridle paths. Lots of possibilities really.

I am sorry lune, I should have clarified. How close was Mr. Tidus' vehicle from the street he lived on? It seemed from where his car sat that it was a short driveway but it may have just been my perception of the photo I saw of the vehicles parked there.

imo

[GentleBreeze]

They may not have, they may have been settled in expecting to wait until he came out in the morning, or intended to take the shot when they got home and didn't have the clear shot or missed it only to have the second chance unexpectedly made available. Worse yet, this could have been totally random, just somebody staked out waiting for the first available victim to make themselves available & Mr. Tidus was the one who did.

I agree, LE knows by now where the shot came from and the weapon they're looking for, but they haven't told us yet. So we're just guessing.

But GB, it can be very difficult to see an entry wound if the caliber is small at the scene with a live victim. The priority had to be medical attention rather than determining directionality and caliber at that moment in time.

If they didn't have a live victim on scene, I'd expect they would have more information initially than they did/do, or maybe they do and I'm just underestimating how close to the vest they're holding it. :shrug:

Reposting the aerial link, we don't know the exact address, but if you zoom in the the A in a star that's the 4600 block. It looks like a good distance to any main road, lots of little well kept residential streets but no real reason to be there if you don't live there.

http://tinyurl.com/yg22ejc


ETA: That link didn't work so well, but if you follow the blue line north it will bring you to the star.

Thank you.

Although if it was a hit man and not done in close range of Tidus they would have to use a rifle which imo they would pick a higher powered gun. The blood pool already formed when the wife got out there is puzzling to me unless he was hit by a larger caliber weapon like a AR-15 etc.

It is just a mystery. All I hope is they find out who did this to this man.


imo

[lune3]

I am sorry lune, I should have clarified. How close was Mr. Tidus' vehicle from the street he lived on? It seemed from where his car sat that it was a short driveway but it may have just been my perception of the photo I saw of the vehicles parked there.

imo

There's a picture in this first article that shows this pretty clearly. Those houses for the most part do not have a lot of frontage, as most of the property is in the back, to accommodate horses.

The blood pool is practically near the curb. I guess his laptop was in the trunk because it appears he was shot while behind the car. I find it curious that the short distance between the back of the car (which I doubt has been moved) and where evidently he lay has a distance...unless he managed to move himself a bit before bleeding like that or he just stepped back from the trunk for a bit at the time he was shot.

http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/ci_13951019

[GentleBreeze]

There's a picture in this first article that shows this pretty clearly. Those houses for the most part do not have a lot of frontage, as most of the property is in the back, to accommodate horses.

The blood pool is practically near the curb. I guess his laptop was in the trunk because it appears he was shot while behind the car. I find it curious that the short distance between the back of the car (which I doubt has been moved) and where evidently he lay has a distance...unless he managed to move himself a bit before bleeding like that or he just stepped back from the trunk for a bit at the time he was shot.

http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/ci_13951019

The way the blood trail is draining down toward the end of the drive it seems he must have collapsed there. I notice they are dusting the back door on the driver's side so I wonder if that is where he had his laptop. In the backseat. But what is puzzling is it seems if he tried to flee if he was up at his car at the time before falling and he went toward the curb not toward his home.

imo

[lune3]

The way the blood trail is draining down toward the end of the drive it seems he must have collapsed there. I notice they are dusting the back door on the driver's side so I wonder if that is where he had his laptop. In the backseat. But what is puzzling is it seems if he tried to flee if he was up at his car at the time before falling and he went toward the curb not toward his home.

imo

Do you see a picture of that somewhere or it's in the video? (I didn't rewatch it) In the link I posted, in the pic the woman appears to be dusting the back of the Prius.

What you bring up though...I'm wondering whether it's possible the perp drove up and asked a question that would cause Mr Tibus to approach the car. How he got away so quickly without being heard or seen right after the gun shot is puzzling though. Evidently neighbours, and his wife went out as soon as the gunshot was heard.

[GentleBreeze]

Do you see a picture of that somewhere or it's in the video? (I didn't rewatch it) In the link I posted, in the pic the woman appears to be dusting the back of the Prius.

What you bring up though...I'm wondering whether it's possible the perp drove up and asked a question that would cause Mr Tibus to approach the car. How he got away so quickly without being heard or seen right after the gun shot is puzzling though. Evidently neighbours, and his wife went out as soon as the gunshot was heard.

I believe them having the back driver's door open and dusting it was in the video. I would think this is the way they may have found the vehicle.

Well at least they are saying now he was slain.
• NATIONAL NEWS
LA investigators say prominent lawyer was slain
December 10, 2009 15:15 EST


LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Investigators are calling the death of an prominent attorney who was shot outside his Los Angeles-area home a homicide.

Los Angeles County sheriff's Lt. Dave Dolson said Thursday that detectives had ruled out suicide in the death of Jeffrey Tidus, who was found Monday night in his driveway with a gunshot wound to the head.

Police have not released a motive in the death.


http://www.newsrunner.com/display-article/?eUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.weartv.com%2Ftemplate%2Fine ws_wire%2Fwires.national%2F22d576cb-www.weartv.com.shtml&eSrc=ABC+-+WEAR+3+-+Pensacola+FL&eTitle=LA+investigators+say+prominent+lawyer+was+s lain

[lune3]

Thanks for the link.

This one is saying the same thing but with an added line.

"Dolson says detectives have spoken to several people who suggested theories about embittered individuals harboring a grudge against Tidus, who successfully litigated many cases for a string of high-profile corporate clients."

AP article:
http://www.fresnobee.com/384/story/1743445.html

[lune3]

It appears that authorities are leaning more towards the crime being related to his work. They say it's unlikely this was a random crime. Autopsy results have been reviewed. I wonder what the ballistics uncover.

http://laist.com/2009/12/10/attorney_jeffrey_tidus_death_ruled.php

I feel so badly for his wife and daughter. May they have every comfort from their rabbi, family and close friends.

[GentleBreeze]

Do we have anyway to know which cases he recently won?

I would think they are looking at cases that were rather recent.

Sure seems strange that no one saw anyone or anything around at that time.

Prays for his family. I know they are devastated.

imo

[lune3]

Do we have anyway to know which cases he recently won?

I would think they are looking at cases that were rather recent.

Sure seems strange that no one saw anyone or anything around at that time.

Prays for his family. I know they are devastated.

imo

This is the website of his firm. It lists the areas of expertise. Some successful cases are briefly outlined in "Results" if you click on that. But they are not dated. I guess one could dig some if these cases are public record. I'm sure LE are interviewing the partners about all clients and cases and doing background investigation.
If this was indeed a contract hit of some type, and since it appears no clues were left behind (well, that we have heard at least), no witnesses, etc..this may be very difficult to solve. I really hope they do catch the individual(s) who did this. So shocking and sad.

http://www.bautelaw.com/default.aspx

[MaybytheBay]

It appears that authorities are leaning more towards the crime being related to his work. They say it's unlikely this was a random crime. Autopsy results have been reviewed. I wonder what the ballistics uncover.

http://laist.com/2009/12/10/attorney_jeffrey_tidus_death_ruled.php

I feel so badly for his wife and daughter. May they have every comfort from their rabbi, family and close friends.


Lune....because you live in the area, and I got the impression it was a little bit isolated and wooded. Could it be a possibility that someone had fired a shot at a feral animal.....maybe a nuissance critter...?
Is there regulated hunting in the area.....or for that matter, unregulated hunting...?
Because of the seemingly randomness, especially of the timing of the shot, my first impression was accidental shooting.

What a heartrending trauma for his wife and child...family.

[GentleBreeze]

This is the website of his firm. It lists the areas of expertise. Some successful cases are briefly outlined in "Results" if you click on that. But they are not dated. I guess one could dig some if these cases are public record. I'm sure LE are interviewing the partners about all clients and cases and doing background investigation.
If this was indeed a contract hit of some type, and since it appears no clues were left behind (well, that we have heard at least), no witnesses, etc..this may be very difficult to solve. I really hope they do catch the individual(s) who did this. So shocking and sad.

http://www.bautelaw.com/default.aspx

Yes, I hope they do. While he may not have told anyone else if he had been threatened by someone lately he may have told his wife about it or they may have had harassing phone calls.

What kind of function did they attend? This person certainly knew where he lived or maybe they followed them home from the function.

I have a feeling there isn't one thing left at that scene tying the murderer to the crime.

imo

[lune3]

Lune....because you live in the area, and I got the impression it was a little bit isolated and wooded. Could it be a possibility that someone had fired a shot at a feral animal.....maybe a nuissance critter...?
Is there regulated hunting in the area.....or for that matter, unregulated hunting...?
Because of the seemingly randomness, especially of the timing of the shot, my first impression was accidental shooting.

What a heartrending trauma for his wife and child...family.

No, I don't think so. The only feral animals here are such critters as raccoons, possums, occassional skunks, some foxes ..and peacocks! (which some residents hate, but not sure if that particular street has a community of those birds). There is no hunting, regulated or unregulated. The peninsula has much wider swathes of undeveloped land and canyon areas elsewhere, not in that pocket. But you never hear about somebody going out to shoot at animals. It's highly unlikely people shoot guns, or generally even own them around here.
We have had occasional coyotes though, especially after fires, but residents are instructed to call authorities if any are seen in residential areas.

Where Mr. Tibus lived, it's not really isolated in the way a rural area would be. It's just a dead end street, as many are in that pocket, with homes fairly close to each other but which have deep backyard areas which slope down to the horse facilities and bridle paths.

Knowing this population, if somebody fired a shot, the whole place would be up in arms. It's certainly not a normal thing to hear.

[lune3]

Yes, I hope they do. While he may not have told anyone else if he had been threatened by someone lately he may have told his wife about it or they may have had harassing phone calls.

What kind of function did they attend? This person certainly knew where he lived or maybe they followed them home from the function.

I have a feeling there isn't one thing left at that scene tying the murderer to the crime.

imo

"Tidus had spent the hours before his death with his wife, Sheryl, at her toy store, Child's Play, on Catalina Avenue in Riviera Village.

Tidus, an avid runner who had competed in marathons, arrived at the business to promote his plan to run a marathon to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, employees said.
The attorney hoped to talk with customers to gain sponsors while his wife was offering to donate 15 percent of all sales from 5 to 9 p.m. to the same charity. "

http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/ci_13951019

Because there had been a storm and it was extremely windy, there were few customers and the power went out. They closed up shop and left early.

The store is about 5 minutes from where they live, in a neighbouring community.

[MaybytheBay]

No, I don't think so. The only feral animals here are such critters as raccoons, possums, occassional skunks, some foxes ..and peacocks! (which some residents hate, but not sure if that particular street has a community of those birds). There is no hunting, regulated or unregulated. The peninsula has much wider swathes of undeveloped land and canyon areas elsewhere, not in that pocket. But you never hear about somebody going out to shoot at animals. It's highly unlikely people shoot guns, or generally even own them around here.
We have had occasional coyotes though, especially after fires, but residents are instructed to call authorities if any are seen in residential areas.

Where Mr. Tibus lived, it's not really isolated in the way a rural area would be. It's just a dead end street, as many are in that pocket, with homes fairly close to each other but which have deep backyard areas which slope down to the horse facilities and bridle paths.

Knowing this population, if somebody fired a shot, the whole place would be up in arms. It's certainly not a normal thing to hear.


OK-thanks for the info and input...I asked because I've happened to have a family member that was alarmed one time by her neighbour shooting a gun(a pellet gun mind you- but still dangerous) at stray animals on his property....one of her cats was 'accidently' shot. She never would have suspected her neighbour of such a reckless endeavour, but when she reported her cat injuries and incident, the police got a confession from the neighbour.
It was in a relatively upscale neighbourhood......with large backyards..It was just a thought....but you know the area....and I trust the police will interview many neighbours in any case.

[lune3]

OK-thanks for the info and input...I asked because I've happened to have a family member that was alarmed one time by her neighbour shooting a gun(a pellet gun mind you- but still dangerous) at stray animals on his property....one of her cats was 'accidently' shot. She never would have suspected her neighbour of such a reckless endeavour, but when she reported her cat injuries and incident, the police got a confession from the neighbour.
It was in a relatively upscale neighbourhood......with large backyards..It was just a thought....but you know the area....and I trust the police will interview many neighbours in any case.

I sure hope her cat recovered, gosh, that's awful!

It's always possible that things out of the ordinary happen though, you never know...one time some years ago a long time resident went berserk over the peacocks and shot at them. (They make a horrendous noise when in mating season). It caused a furor at the time.

Here though, I don't know, it seems so unlikely...yet what happened is so unlikely anyway obviously. That he was shot so precisely in the head at that moment in time...it just seems intentional to me.

No doubt LE has questioned all the neighbours if there have been any shooting of animal incidents in the past, or who might own a firearm.

[lune3]

Tidus clients fearful after shooting death of their attorney

I don't know how credible this is but....

"Someone with inside knowledge of the trial contacted this reporter with an anonymous tip. Ther are allegations that Christopher Gruys threatened to kill Tidus. "If he isn't a main suspect then he needs to be," The tipster said. He said everyone involved is scared."

This refers to a particular $2.4 mil jury trial the the firm won, but where the judgment was reversed, and a new trial remanded in 2009.

http://www.examiner.com/x-/x-14600-LA-Family-Courts-Examiner~y2009m12d9-Tidus-clients-fearful-after-shooting-death-of-their-attorney

[GentleBreeze]

Here is the case.

Court Tosses $2.4 Million Verdict Against Ex-Attorney



Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Court Tosses $2.4 Million Verdict Against Ex-Attorney

By SHERRI M. OKAMOTO, Staff Writer

This district’s Court of Appeal yesterday threw out a $2.4 million punitive damage award against a former tax lawyer, ruling that Christopher Gruys was effectively deprived of his fundamental right to a fair trial by discovery sanctions imposed after he asserted his constitutional privilege against self-incrimination.

In its unpublished decision, Div. Seven explained that Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Rolf M. Treu abused his discretion by preventing Gruys from presenting any evidence or cross-examining any witnesses, which “had the effect of denying Gruys the right to defend the action at all.”

Gruys—who resigned from the State Bar in 2007 with charges pending—was sued by a former client, Jon Gunderson, for asserted violations of the California Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act.

Gunderson had consulted with Gruys about a possible tax savings plan after Gunderson sold the assets of his family-owned business in 2003. He claimed that he and Gruys had agreed to a plan under which he would transfer the proceeds from the sale to a company formed by Gruys called I.R.S.C.E. and that Gruys would then cause I.R.S.C.E. to return those funds to Gunderson.

Over a six month period, Gunderson sent approximately $39 million to Gruys’ company but Gruys allegedly refused to return $7.5 million of Gunderson’s funds.

http://www.metnews.com/articles/2009/gund111809.htm

[lune3]

Thanks for that GentleBreeze.

I'm assuming then that Tidus represented Gunderson and was likely going to represent him again in a new trial.

It appears from the article that Gruys should have the beef with the Superior Court Judge Treu, or with Gunderson himself. If what the tipster said was true, that Gruys threatened Mr. Tidus, I guess there's a whole lot more to this and that Gruys may feel that Tidus will again be successful. It's possible that Tidus may have uncovered more incriminating info on this guy in the meantime.
And if it's true, I can imagine that the parties are afraid, particularly the client Gunderson.

[lune3]

More on Christopher Gruys....

Authorities investigating shooting death of attorney examine 2005 case

"Detectives investigating the shooting death of Jeffrey Tidus, a prominent L.A. lawyer, are examining a 2005 case in which the attorney obtained a restraining order against a litigant who allegedly had threatened him, according to sheriff's deputies."
....
"During a pretrial deposition in the case on June 7, 2005, Gruys pulled out a camera and took a photograph of Tidus, then made what the attorney interpreted as a threat, according to sworn declarations that Tidus and a court reporter made in support of Tidus' request for a restraining order against Gruys.

According to the declarations, Gruys told Tidus he hoped he would enjoy his upcoming Caribbean vacation with his family and that he "had some friends who would be coming to see Mr. Tidus thereafter." "


http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-attorney-slain12-2009dec12,0,1702909.story

[MaybytheBay]

So JeffreyTidus was killed just hours after federal regulators accused his clients- top executives at New Century Financial.....of fraud.
Weird timing...?

[GentleBreeze]

Thanks for that GentleBreeze.

I'm assuming then that Tidus represented Gunderson and was likely going to represent him again in a new trial.

It appears from the article that Gruys should have the beef with the Superior Court Judge Treu, or with Gunderson himself. If what the tipster said was true, that Gruys threatened Mr. Tidus, I guess there's a whole lot more to this and that Gruys may feel that Tidus will again be successful. It's possible that Tidus may have uncovered more incriminating info on this guy in the meantime.
And if it's true, I can imagine that the parties are afraid, particularly the client Gunderson.

I noticed that is stated in one of the articles that Gruys is an ex-attorney. Was he disbarred over this, I wonder?

Watch cha want to bet Gruys has an iron clad alibi. He would make sure of that if he is involved.

imo

[GentleBreeze]

Never mind lune.

I see where Gruys resigned in 2007. That had to torque his jaws, giving up his career.

imo

[lune3]

I noticed that is stated in one of the articles that Gruys is an ex-attorney. Was he disbarred over this, I wonder?

Watch cha want to bet Gruys has an iron clad alibi. He would make sure of that if he is involved.

imo

Yes he resigned his license, but no doubt was/would have been disbarred.

"Tidus won the judgment against Gruys in 2007.

That same year, Gruys pleaded guilty in San Diego County to grand theft by false pretenses and filing a false claim for taxes, according to court records. In July 2007, he resigned his license to practice law in California, according to the State Bar of California website. Gruys had previously been placed on interim suspension in April 2007 after he was "convicted of possession of an assault weapon," according to the state bar website."

Also:

"In an brief interview with The Times, Gruys said he was unaware of Tidus' death and that law enforcement officials had not contacted him.

"I don't know anything about it," he said."

Sure, .....he doesn't know anything about it, (roll eyes icon) IMO..... whether he was or wasn't involved. Bet he has a solid alibi too.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-attorney-slain12-2009dec12,0,1702909.story