5/13-NY v. Darryl Littlejohn[Imette St. Guillen murder] {6/3 GUILTY}

[sunstar]

Jury selection to begin in trial of Darryl Littlejohn for Imette St. Guillen slay

Sunday, April 19th 2009, 4:00 AM


The mother of Imette St. Guillen has waited three long years to settle accounts with the man accused of killing the promising graduate student in a brutal murder that shocked the city.

"It is important for me to see justice for my daughter," Maureen St. Guillen said. "I think any parent who has suffered the loss of a child in such a way would feel the same."

Ex-con bouncer Darryl Littlejohn is finally going to trial in the Feb. 25, 2006, slaying this week.

Littlejohn, 44, who is already serving 25 years to life in prison for an unrelated attack on another woman, faces life without parole in the St. Guillen murder.

St. Guillen's mother knows the upcoming trial will be full of painful reminders, but she wants to attend anyway.

"Nothing will ever replace Imette," Maureen St. Guillen said. "The day she died, our lives changed forever and we became different people...and yet, for her, we must go forward [and] see that justice is served."

Imette St. Guillen, 24, was last seen drinking at The Falls, a SoHo nightspot where Littlejohn worked as a bouncer. The grad student was reluctant to leave at closing time and bar owner Danny Dorrian asked Littlejohn to escort her out.

Seventeen hours later, the Boston native's bruised, nude, sexually assaulted body was found dumped in a remote area of Brooklyn off the Belt Parkway. Her hands were bound behind her back, her legs tied at the ankles.

A white sock was stuffed in her mouth and brown packing tape was wrapped around her head.

The evenly placed neck bruises led the medical examiner to one conclusion - she was strangled and smothered.

There are other crime details that cops say point to Littlejohn. Among the most powerful:

- His DNA, found on the ties that bound St. Guillen's wrists and on a snowbrush found under her body.

- Littlejohn's mother's hair was found on the coverlet St. Guillen was wrapped in.

- Cell tower records showed Littlejohn was near the site where her body was dumped.

- A friend said he asked him to lie about his alibi.

None of it will be easy for Imette St. Guillen's mother, sister Alejandra or stepfather to watch, said their lawyer and longtime family friend, Christopher Lang.

"This is the closest family I've ever seen," he said. "It's going to be one of the hardest things they will ever do."

Defense lawyer Joyce David will focus on Dorrian, the bar owner who, she said, lied twice about the night of the slaying.

Dorrian's lawyers were well-connected and David hopes that skeptical Brooklyn jurors will buy a tangled theory of police conspiracy linked to former city officials.

"The DA's office and NYPD ignored and failed to investigate substantial evidence...to protect Danny Dorrian," David wrote in a recent court filing.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_c...llen_slay.html

[kelloggirl]

Finally, time for justice for Imette, who was pursuing a career in justice for herself before her life was so brutally taken from her. I followed this case from the very beginning and agree that the bar owner was a real scumbag, but the defense is going to have an uphill battle if they're going to try to pin this on him given the physical evidence tying Littlejohn to the crime.

Does anyone know where we can follow the trial?

[Lyndawitha"Y]

Originally Posted by kelloggirl

Finally, time for justice for Imette, who was pursuing a career in justice for herself before her life was so brutally taken from her. I followed this case from the very beginning and agree that the bar owner was a real scumbag, but the defense is going to have an uphill battle if they're going to try to pin this on him given the physical evidence tying Littlejohn to the crime.

Does anyone know where we can follow the trial?

Holy Moly..I almost forgot about this case...yikes, I hope they show this trial..or at least stream it...Once again it seems the defense is going to attempt to claim "Conspiracy" by LE and DA....hummmming again..LOL..Shades of OJ..the problem for them tho is that just doesnt stick to the wall as well as spaghetti!!

LMS

[sunstar]

Originally Posted by kelloggirl

Finally, time for justice for Imette, who was pursuing a career in justice for herself before her life was so brutally taken from her. I followed this case from the very beginning and agree that the bar owner was a real scumbag, but the defense is going to have an uphill battle if they're going to try to pin this on him given the physical evidence tying Littlejohn to the crime.

Does anyone know where we can follow the trial?

It would be great if they allow cameras. I'm not surprised the defense will try to pin this on somebody else, but what I am wondering is if the jury will know that Littlejohn is currently serving a prison sentence for kidnapping?

[Lyndawitha"Y]

Originally Posted by sunstar

It would be great if they allow cameras. I'm not surprised the defense will try to pin this on somebody else, but what I am wondering is if the jury will know that Littlejohn is currently serving a prison sentence for kidnapping?

Man oh Man..this guy is one dangerous predator...I too wonder, is this will come into play?..as it surely does given the description of that crime....very similar modes opporendi...humming again...LOL

Here's the link:

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_c...25_years_.html

LMS

[sunstar]

Originally Posted by Lyndawitha"Y

Man oh Man..this guy is one dangerous predator...I too wonder, is this will come into play?..as it surely does given the description of that crime....very similar modes opporendi...humming again...LOL

Here's the link:

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_c...25_years_.html

LMS

It sure is the same MO! And also in the article ~

"Littlejohn showed no emotion as Lasak read from his "horrendous" rap sheet - which began when he was 12 years old, and includes mugging old ladies, robbing banks, and assault with a razorblade. "

And he's trying to blame Dorrian for Imette's murder? Does Dorrian have a rap sheet like his?

[sunstar]

Originally Posted by forensicpsy~

Thank you for the heads up.

Darryl Littlejohn:

aka Jonathan Blaze
aka John Handsome
aka Damon Wells
aka Darryl Banks

http://nysdocslookup.docs.state.ny.u...0/WIQ3/WINQ130

Type his name in the search box. Then click on the DIN #

OMG ~ that second name really must be one he made up!

[sunstar]

Originally Posted by herlock h.

Just the thought that he may not get convicted for this crime makes me ill. I just don't have what it takes to keep up with this trial if there's a good chance he'll walk on these charges. I remember this case well, he's everyone's nightmare.

OMG. Her poor family...

That's why I was wondering if all his prior convictions will be known to the jury, especially that he's currently serving time for kidnapping. If so, for sure I can't see him walking, but even if they don't, I just don't think the jury will be able to ignore the forensic evidence. MOO

[BorderCollieMom]

Finally ! I pray justice is done.

[cherylt]

Originally Posted by forensicpsy~

"Jury Selection Delayed in Second St Guillen Trial"

http://www.ny1.com/Default.aspx?ArID=97775




"However, according to Littlejohn's attorney, before jury selection can begin, some legal issues need to be resolved. Among them, the medical examiner claims a blanket that ties Darryl Littlejohn to the murder contains DNA from Littlejohn's brother, Reggie Harris"

"Harris died in 1994. However, according to Littlejohn's attorney, the blanket manufacturer says it was not made until 1998."



Full article at link.

You have GOT to be kidding me! It's already been over 3 yrs, so what makes this monster so special? I didn't see a reschedule date so does that mean they won't even address that at this stage? Unbelievable! Mayhaps he'll have FOUR OR FIVE years? Disgusting!

Thanks to all who started this thread & posted updated info. Everytime I try to google status, I usually get nada!

They clearly didn't do a background check when they decided to have this (7 times a felon) guy on their payroll.... and then lying to LE. Have there been any successful civil suits or are they on hold till this trial is over? I know the bar lost its liquor License and was closed - they were serving liquor to minors.

Are there any New Yorkers here? Just curious - what business is in that space now?

[dgfred]

Originally Posted by forensicpsy~

"Jury Selection Delayed in Second St Guillen Trial"

http://www.ny1.com/Default.aspx?ArID=97775




"However, according to Littlejohn's attorney, before jury selection can begin, some legal issues need to be resolved. Among them, the medical examiner claims a blanket that ties Darryl Littlejohn to the murder contains DNA from Littlejohn's brother, Reggie Harris"

"Harris died in 1994. However, according to Littlejohn's attorney, the blanket manufacturer says it was not made until 1998."



Full article at link.

I thought at first they were saying it was his mom's hair, not the brothers ???

[dgfred]

Originally Posted by penguin01

They clearly didn't do a background check when they decided to have this (7 times a felon) guy on their payroll.... and then lying to LE. Have there been any successful civil suits or are they on hold till this trial is over? I know the bar lost its liquor License and was closed - they were serving liquor to minors.

Are there any New Yorkers here? Just curious - what business is in that space now?

I'm thinking his reputation should have already been known in the area, since he had been a hood since about age 12.

[cherylt]

Originally Posted by forensicpsy~

Trial delayed for a month.

The Falls was replaced by the Midnight Cafe, a restaurant that already had another location on the block. I don't know if they are still there.


imo

Thanks for letting me know it was rescheduled for next month!!
Any idea what day? Nevermind, found out 5/4/09...

I sure hope cameras are allowed in the courtroom & then TTV/IS decides to cover it LIVE!

[cherylt]

From Daily News Site:


Imette St. Guillen trial on hold
BY Scott Shifrel
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Thursday, April 23rd 2009, 4:00 AM

The Brooklyn trial of a bouncer charged with murdering grad student Imette St. Guillen, originally set for Wednesday, was postponed until May 4.

Darryl Littlejohn, 44, is charged with taking St. Guillen from the Manhattan bar where he worked on Feb. 25, 2006, sexually assaulting her and dumping her body in Brooklyn.

Littlejohn, who is serving 25 years to life for an unrelated Queens abduction, faces another life sentence if convicted at the trial, which could take a month.

[cherylt]

Originally Posted by forensicpsy~

Last I heard, cameras were not allowed in the courtroom in NY state.



imo

Ohhhh, that stinketh!!! (do u think they have something to hide?) BRING IT INTO THE LIGHT AND GET W/ THE TIMES NY!!

I live in NJ and I might have a chance to get there for a day or two of testimony but it's a few hours drive. But I'm thinking I really should go (since no cameras) because this case really touched me when it first came out & I still can't believe it was over 3 years ago already...

[sunstar]

Originally Posted by forensicpsy~

"Jury Selection Delayed in Second St Guillen Trial"

http://www.ny1.com/Default.aspx?ArID=97775




"However, according to Littlejohn's attorney, before jury selection can begin, some legal issues need to be resolved. Among them, the medical examiner claims a blanket that ties Darryl Littlejohn to the murder contains DNA from Littlejohn's brother, Reggie Harris"

"Harris died in 1994. However, according to Littlejohn's attorney, the blanket manufacturer says it was not made until 1998."



Full article at link.

How bizarre can this get??? I can't figure out though why the article title says "second" St. Guillen trial?

[cherylt]

Originally Posted by sunstar

How bizarre can this get??? I can't figure out though why the article title says "second" St. Guillen trial?

You're right. Weird! Maybe they meant it will be his 2nd trial. One he was already convicted of recently of assault & rape on another woman. But it is a stupid headline because there hasn't even been a first one (for Imette's death)! (unless they had one & no one knew about it... NOT!)

You would think NY1 would be more careful about editing and what they print... It should have said LITTLEJOHN not St. Guillen. DUH!!

[cherylt]

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_c...te_killer.html

[sunstar]

Originally Posted by cherylt

You're right. Weird! Maybe they meant it will be his 2nd trial. One he was already convicted of recently of assault & rape on another woman. But it is a stupid headline because there hasn't even been a first one (for Imette's death)! (unless they had one & no one knew about it... NOT!)

You would think NY1 would be more careful about editing and what they print... It should have said LITTLEJOHN not St. Guillen. DUH!!

I agree, the headline should've had his name in it instead. But NY1 isn't the only outlet with no proofreaders ~ the article I opened the thread with actually has "trail" instead of "trial" in the headline.

[sunstar]

Originally Posted by cherylt

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_c...te_killer.html

from the article ~

Carpet fiber and rabbit and mink hair on the 24-year-old grad student's body was consistent with carpet fiber at Littlejohn's Queens home and two coats hanging in his mother's closet.

I'm just not seeing any hope for the defense! MOO

[cherylt]

Originally Posted by sunstar

from the article ~

Carpet fiber and rabbit and mink hair on the 24-year-old grad student's body was consistent with carpet fiber at Littlejohn's Queens home and two coats hanging in his mother's closet.

I'm just not seeing any hope for the defense! MOO

Oh, I totally agree! Not a prayer! Even Johnny Cochran himself couldn't have pulled this one off...

lol -they even wrote "trial" - BAD, BAD proofreaders (slap on hand icon)

Why doesn't he just plea and make it easier on the family & friends of Imette. He is already doing serious time for the 1st trial and all he will accomplish is spending hard working NY'ers $$. And IF there will be a trial, I believe WE SHOULD be able to watch! There is supposed to be open access to courts for the people & NY should get w/ the Technology program!

Personally, I can't wait until his guilty pronouncement. Too bad, NY doesn't use their death penalty. If this had happened in Texas, he'd be on death row already!!

[aproudmom]

OMG this has not even went to trial yet..
Finally, time for justice

[aproudmom]

Originally Posted by cherylt

You're right. Weird! Maybe they meant it will be his 2nd trial. One he was already convicted of recently of assault & rape on another woman. But it is a stupid headline because there hasn't even been a first one (for Imette's death)! (unless they had one & no one knew about it... NOT!)

You would think NY1 would be more careful about editing and what they print... It should have said LITTLEJOHN not St. Guillen. DUH!!

I think that is what they meant to print very misleading though IMO
Imette St. Guillen trial on hold
Thursday, April 23rd 2009, 4:00 AM

The Brooklyn trial of a bouncer charged with murdering grad student Imette St. Guillen, originally set for Wednesday, was postponed until May 4.

Darryl Littlejohn, 44, is charged with taking St. Guillen from the Manhattan bar where he worked on Feb. 25, 2006, sexually assaulting her and dumping her body in Brooklyn.

Littlejohn, who is serving 25 years to life for an unrelated Queens abduction, faces another life sentence if convicted at the trial, which could take a month.

[cherylt]

Originally Posted by aproudmom

I think that is what they meant to print very misleading though IMO
Imette St. Guillen trial on hold
Thursday, April 23rd 2009, 4:00 AM

The Brooklyn trial of a bouncer charged with murdering grad student Imette St. Guillen, originally set for Wednesday, was postponed until May 4.

Darryl Littlejohn, 44, is charged with taking St. Guillen from the Manhattan bar where he worked on Feb. 25, 2006, sexually assaulting her and dumping her body in Brooklyn.

Littlejohn, who is serving 25 years to life for an unrelated Queens abduction, faces another life sentence if convicted at the trial, which could take a month.

Thanks! It's really too bad NY doesn't use their DP that is technically still "on the books". If ANYONE is qualified for it, this guy is, imo!
I still can't believe it's been over THREE YEARS and he has yet to stand trial for this horrific crime. I remember the news almost like it was yesterday....

[Hey Paula]

Originally Posted by forensicpsy~

"Jury Selection Delayed in Second St Guillen Trial"

http://www.ny1.com/Default.aspx?ArID=97775




"However, according to Littlejohn's attorney, before jury selection can begin, some legal issues need to be resolved. Among them, the medical examiner claims a blanket that ties Darryl Littlejohn to the murder contains DNA from Littlejohn's brother, Reggie Harris"

"Harris died in 1994. However, according to Littlejohn's attorney, the blanket manufacturer says it was not made until 1998."



Full article at link.

Hi FP!

DL's brother, Reggie Harris, was a murderer too, who killed a woman and her boyfriend. RH died while in police custody.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_c...te_killer.html

I think DL might have put something containing his brother's DNA on that blanket to complicate the case and throw LE off. Imette wasn't the first woman DL attacked, and for all we know, might not have been the first he killed.

I hope this case is quickly and successfully prosecuted. This family have waited too long for justice to be served.

[cherylt]

Thanks for the link, Paula!

I read this part:

The suspect's brother, Reginald Harris, died in police custody after being charged with murdering a woman and her boyfriend in her Queens apartment, the Daily News revealed this week.

Any idea how he died? Sounds a little fishy "died in police custody"... (too bad it wasn't DL) What a horrid family (sibs) though! The family that kills together, stay together? UGH!

Lots of DNA on the coverlet to tie to DL. Such scum - I hope he rots and rots and rots some more!

[cherylt]

Thanks so much, forensicpsy~!!

It's about time! I wonder how long it will take to get a jury. Being in NYC, it shouldn't be too bad re: how many people have already formed an opinion or even don't know about the case. I sooo wish this could be the next trial on IS! Guess we'll have to settle for bits here and there...

[cherylt]

Originally Posted by forensicpsy~

The jury has been seated!

Here is a list of who they are and what they do:

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_c...rder_case.html

"Jurors Who Will Decide Darry Littlejohn's Fate in Immette St. Guillen Murder Trial"

Whoooohoooooooooo! It took way less time to seat this juror than the almost three weeks for the Higbee trooper trial... So I guess openings start today? I wonder if there are any cameras at all so perhaps we can just even see a part of the openings.. GRRR, that NY doesn't allow live coverage. They should follow my state's example (NJ) & let them in. Whatcha hiding in there, anyway?

Hmmmm, the article gives info on 12 jurors. No alts?? Pretty strange. What if someone gets sick or something??

[sunstar]

Originally Posted by forensicpsy~

The jury has been seated!

Here is a list of who they are and what they do:

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_c...rder_case.html

"Jurors Who Will Decide Darryl Littlejohn's Fate in Immette St. Guillen Murder Trial"

Wow ~ that was quick! It looks like a balanced panel of various ages and ethnicity.

[sunstar]

Imette St. Guillen murder trial begins: Prosecution lays out case against bouncer Darryl Littlejohn

Ex-con bouncer Darryl Littlejohn went on trial Monday for the rape and murder of gorgeous grad student Imette St. Guillen after a night of drinking at a SoHo bar.

Prosecutors branded Littlejohn a sex fiend who attacked St. Guillen the same way he preyed on two other women, both of whom will testify at the trial.

"He did the same thing to two other women three months before," said Kenneth Taub, a Brooklyn prosecutor. "Until this case, he got away with it."

In a 90-minute opening statement, Taub pointed to extensive circumstantial evidence against Littlejohn, including fibers from his van and DNA evidence linking him to a blanket used to wrap St. Guillen's body.

Cops also traced his cell-phone to the desolate area in East New York where the 24-year-old beauty's defiled body was dumped on Feb. 26, 2006.

A defense lawyer countered that the case is an elaborate racially charged frame-up by police eager to close a blockbuster case.

"He's a black man with a long criminal record," said Joyce David, who spoke for an hour. "Who's going to care about him?"

David pointed an accusing finger at Danny Dorrian, the politically connected owner of The Falls bar where St. Guillen was partying the night she died.

"Darryl Littlejohn is being framed to protect Danny Dorrian," she declared.

The jury of six blacks, five whites and one Hispanic listened intently in the packed Brooklyn courtroom.

Three rows of seats were filled with relatives and friends of the popular St. Guillen, who grew up in Boston and attended John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

The first witnesses are investigators cops who are expected to show the jury shocking photos of St. Guillen's battered body.

St. Guillen's sister is also expected to testify about the family's loss.



Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_c...xzz0FFIMLITb&B

[sunstar]

Originally Posted by forensicpsy~

Thanks for the link, sunstar.

Looks like Littlejohn's attorney, Joyce David, is really using the frame-up defense and will attempt to blame the Dorrians.

You're most welcome! I think Dorrian is a sleaze and should've checked out who he was hiring but there's no proof he killed Imette ~ unless he told Littlejohn to do it. MOO

[sunstar]

Originally Posted by forensicpsy~

Who knows what Joyce David has up her sleeve? IMO they are guilty of hiring felons as security guards and probably knew it.

Here's a great article on the Dorrians from 2006, right after Immette was killed.

http://www.villagevoice.com/2006-03-...ng-a-bar-exam/

Oh yes, I do remember reading back then that the family had also bailed out Chambers and Danny Dorrian lied to LE. It really wouldn't be surprising if he was somehow behind Imette's murder but the evidence still leads to Littlejohn doing the deed ~ IMO.

[Casspian]

Originally Posted by sunstar

Oh yes, I do remember reading back then that the family had also bailed out Chambers and Danny Dorrian lied to LE. It really wouldn't be surprising if he was somehow behind Imette's murder but the evidence still leads to Littlejohn doing the deed ~ IMO.

Ditto - I remember this all seemed fishy from the get go. Not that Littlejohn is a good person, but why would they have hired him in the first place and etc. (as you noted)? It's one of those where if you look at it from a different angle, then, yeah, he could have been set-up and who would believe he wasn't guilty. Wasn't there something more about that blanket, like it had been kept in the office or something?

[sunstar]

Originally Posted by forensicpsy~

Yes. ITA! I don't think the Dorrians were involved in the murder.Just the cover-up.

But because they are so sleazy, they're a good scapegoat for Joyce to use to spin her wild conspiracy theory.

imo

The only problem though, she won't be able to tie the DNA evidence to Dorrian. MOO

[sunstar]

Originally Posted by forensicpsy~

Today's trial updates:

This was before Danny Dorrian's testimony was completed. Now THAT should be an interesting cross. He's on the stand as the report came in.

http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stori...l/Default.aspx

Thanks so much for the update!

[cherylt]

Originally Posted by forensicpsy~

Thanks for the link, sunstar.

Looks like Littlejohn's attorney, Joyce David, is really using the frame-up defense and will attempt to blame the Dorrians.

Not to mention the RACE CARD!

[sunstar]

Bar workers say suspect Darryl Littlejohn chatted with Imette St. Guillen before she disappeared

A Soho bus boy testified Tuesday that slain grad student Imette St. Guillen chatted at the bar with an ex-con bouncer minutes before she disappeared.

Felix Santiago said he saw Darryl Littlejohn sitting next to the tipsy woman just before closing time at The Falls bar - the first time jurors at his murder trial heard the two were together.

"He was sitting next to her for a few moments," said Santiago, a Mexican immigrant. "That's all I saw."

The bar helper didn't hear what Littlejohn said, but believed the strikingly beautiful woman was answering a question about her race.

"She mentioned that she had a friend who was (Asian)," Santiago said.

A few moments later, Santiago said he saw Littlejohn and another bouncer escort St. Guillen out the front door.

He saw the other bouncer later, but never saw Littlejohn or St. Guillen again.

"They opened the door and disappeared," the bus boy said.

Littlejohn, 44, is accused of snatching St. Guillen, 24, from the bar and killing her on Feb. 25, 2006.

Her battered body was found dumped in East New York.

A bartender said St. Guillen walked into the empty watering hole about 15 minutes before the 4 a.m. closing time and ordered two rum and cokes.

She served the drinks then went downstairs as staffers worked to shut the bar along with owner Danny Dorrian.

"(Dorrian) said, 'This girl's crazy. She doesn't want to leave,'" said the bartender Rebecca Scherle.

Dorrian is expected to take the stand this afternoon.

Defense lawyers say cops framed Littlejohn to protect the politically connected bar owner.

A medical examiner said St. Guillen's blood alcohol level was at least .17%, or more than twice the legal limit, when her body was discovered hours later.

St. Guillen was registered as an unknown woman, victim No. 22606, when her body was brought into the morgue, said Christina Roman of the city medical examiner's office.

Roman detailed the woman's injuries, including scrapes on her neck and face and evidence of a violent sexual encounter.

She also showed jurors the brown packing tape used to cover St. Guillen's nose and the white tube sock her attacker stuffed in her mouth.

The sock had blood on it, indicating she died of asphyxiation after the smothering sex attack, which may have lasted up to 12 minutes, Roman said.

"She was alive and able to breathe," Roman said.

The coroner also pulled out the floral bedspread used to wrap St. Guillen's body. Prosecutors say DNA evidence ties Littlejohn to the blanket.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_c...rs_place_.html

[sunstar]

Maybe I missed it in one of the articles, and since we can't see the trial, I wonder if Littlejohn is wearing a suit or his prison clothes in the courtroom, and if the jury knows he's serving a 25-life sentence for kidnapping/assault?

[sunstar]

Originally Posted by Kathy*Rae

The walk into the court house shows street clothes IMO

Thanks so much!