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Murder of Stephanie Kuhen

April 12, 2024

The murder of Stephanie Kuhen (October 4, 1991 – September 17, 1995)[1] in Los Angeles, California created significant media attention in the United States and led to crackdowns on Los Angeles street gangs.[2][3]

Stephanie Kuhen

Incident edit

Around 1:45 a.m. on September 17, 1995, along Isabel Street in the Cypress Park neighborhood, a street nicknamed "Avenida . . . assecinos," an incorrectly spelled Spanish phrase[note 1] meaning "Street of Killers" or "Avenue of the Assassins," members of The Avenues gang shot at a vehicle containing a family returning from a cookout; according to the prosecution the vehicle made a wrong turn into an alley. A 3-year-old girl named Stephanie Kuhen died, and Kuhen's stepfather and younger brother sustained injuries.[3] The perpetrators were arrested and convicted.[4][5][6][7][8][9]

Legal action edit

On August 1, 1997, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Edward Ferns sentenced 28-year-old Anthony Gabriel Rodriguez, 22-year-old Manuel Rosales, Jr., and 18-year-old Hugo David Gomez to 54 years and eight months to life in state prison. At that point, 17-year-old Augustin Lizama was to be retried. During the sentencing of the three convicted murderers, Margaret Fregoso, Rodriguez's grandmother, defended him and said that people outside of the court speculated that the Kuhen automobile traveled through the neighborhood so one or more occupants could purchase recreational drugs. Robynn Kuhen, the mother of Stephanie Kuhen, said that her family was trying to find a shortcut home and said that Fregoso's statements were not true. The defense in the trial suggested that the Kuhen family knew the layout of the area and would not have found themselves lost in their car.[6] On Friday, August 29, 1997, Lizama agreed to a plea bargain in which he received a conviction for assault.[10]

Rodriguez, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) #K65397, was booked into the CDCR system on September 2, 1997. As of 2023, he is incarcerated at Correctional Training Facility.[11]

Rosales, CDCR#K65037, was booked on August 29, 1997. As of 2023, he is incarcerated at Ironwood State Prison. He was granted parole in August 2023.[12]

Gomez, CDCR#K65384, was booked on September 2, 1997. As of 2023, he is incarcerated at California Health Care Facility.[13]

Aftermath edit

Several days after the incident, President of the United States Bill Clinton condemned the killing and said that the United States Federal Government would give money to anti-gang efforts.[3] After the Kuhen incident, Mayor of Los Angeles Richard Riordan asked the Criminal Justice Planning Office (CJPO) to create recommendations regarding gang crime. Several months after the Kuhen incident, the task force's suggestions lead to the creation of the Los Angeles City/County Community Law Enforcement and Recovery (CLEAR) program.[3][8]

Kuhen was buried in a private ceremony on Monday September 25, 1995. About 100 people attended the ceremony.[14]

Analysis edit

George Ramos of the Los Angeles Times reported that many Cypress Park residents were angered by the negative portrayal of their community in the media. Specifically mentioned were concerns that there was a perceived lack of attention to gang issues from the municipal government and their council member, Mike Hernandez. There was also anger about the Los Angeles Times posting large images of Stephanie Kuhen and her brother on the front page of the newspaper, stating that the media does not do this with ethnic minority children. Ramos said that the editor of the newspaper had asked for the images of the children to be posted before learning that they were white.[15] Ramos also stated that many Cypress Park residents believed that if one is not from Cypress Park, one should be concerned with crime in his or her own neighborhood rather than in Cypress Park.[15]

Allan Parachini of the American Civil Liberties Union said that the media focused attention on the Kuhen case because the victim was white. George Cotliar, a Los Angeles Times managing editor, said that race was not the reason why the media focused attention on the case. Bill Lord, a director at NBC affiliate KNBC, also stated that race was not a factor in why the media covered the Kuhen case. Larry Elder, a politically conservative African-American talk show host, stated that law enforcement ignored the gangs in Cypress Park since most of the residents were Hispanic and Black.[16]

Notes edit

  1. ^ Corrected spelling: "Avenida de los Asesinos".

References edit

  1. ^ Stephanie Kuhen at Find a Grave
  2. ^ "Child killing sparks action against Los Angeles gangs." The Christian Science Monitor. September 25, 1995. Volume 87, Issue 210. Page 4.
  3. ^ a b c d Pelisek, Christine. "Avenues of Death." LA Weekly. July 14, 2005. Retrieved on February 15, 2009.
  4. ^ "Slaying Still Haunts Cypress Park." Los Angeles Times. July 18, 1999. Retrieved on February 15, 2009.
  5. ^ "Wrong turn costs a child's life." CNN. September 18, 1995. Retrieved on February 15, 2009.
  6. ^ a b "Gang Members Sentenced in ‘Wrong Way’ Shooting." Los Angeles Times. August 2, 1997. Retrieved on February 15, 2009.
  7. ^ "Three more arrested in toddler's shooting." CNN. September 23, 1995. Retrieved on February 15, 2009.
  8. ^ a b "Community Law Enforcement And Recovery (CLEAR)." The Los Angeles Police Department. Accessed August 27, 2008. Retrieved on February 15, 2009.
  9. ^ Nazario, Sonia, Henry Chu, and Geoffrey Mohan. "Wrong Turn Ends in Deadly Gang Ambush; Violence: Child, 3, dies. Two others are hurt as youths block car's escape from dead-end street and open fire.." Los Angeles Times. September 18, 1995. Part A Metro Desk, Page 1. Retrieved on February 15, 2009.
  10. ^ Krikorian, Greg. "Last Defendant Sentenced in 'Wrong-Way' Shooting." Los Angeles Times. August 30, 1997. Metro Part B, Page 3. Retrieved on February 15, 2009.
  11. ^ "Inmate Locator." California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Retrieved on September 10, 2023. "RODRIGUEZ, ANTHONY GABRIEL K65397 41 09/02/1997 Centinela"
  12. ^ "Inmate Locator." California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Retrieved on September 10, 2023. "ROSALES, MANUEL K65037 36 08/29/1997 Salinas Valley Directions" - While other "Manuel Rosales"s are listed, this one is 36 as of 2010 - matching with being 22 in August 1997. The other "Manuel Rosales"s are older (41, 44, and 56 as of 2010)
  13. ^ "Inmate Locator." California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Retrieved on September 10, 2023. "GOMEZ, HUGO DAVID K65384 31 09/02/1997 Corcoran"
  14. ^ Mohan, Geoffrey. "Girl Slain in Alley Ambush Laid to Rest : Stephanie Kuhen Is Eulogized as 'God's Little Angel'; Police Arrest a 5th Suspect in Slaying." Los Angeles Times. September 26, 1995. Retrieved on December 17, 2012.
  15. ^ a b Ramos, George. "Getting Past the Anger in Cypress Park." (More information) Los Angeles Times. September 25, 1995. Metro Part B Page 3. Retrieved on February 17, 2013.
  16. ^ Noble, Kenneth B. "Child Is Slain, and a Neighborhood Voices Its Frustrations." The New York Times. September 22, 1995. Retrieved on February 15, 2009.

External links edit

  • "Three more arrested in toddler's shooting." (Archive) CNN. September 23, 1995.

April 12, 2024
murder, stephanie, kuhen, murder, stephanie, kuhen, october, 1991, september, 1995, angeles, california, created, significant, media, attention, united, states, crackdowns, angeles, street, gangs, stephanie, kuhen, contents, incident, legal, action, aftermath,. The murder of Stephanie Kuhen October 4 1991 September 17 1995 1 in Los Angeles California created significant media attention in the United States and led to crackdowns on Los Angeles street gangs 2 3 Stephanie Kuhen Contents 1 Incident 2 Legal action 3 Aftermath 4 Analysis 5 Notes 6 References 7 External linksIncident editAround 1 45 a m on September 17 1995 along Isabel Street in the Cypress Park neighborhood a street nicknamed Avenida assecinos an incorrectly spelled Spanish phrase note 1 meaning Street of Killers or Avenue of the Assassins members of The Avenues gang shot at a vehicle containing a family returning from a cookout according to the prosecution the vehicle made a wrong turn into an alley A 3 year old girl named Stephanie Kuhen died and Kuhen s stepfather and younger brother sustained injuries 3 The perpetrators were arrested and convicted 4 5 6 7 8 9 Legal action editOn August 1 1997 Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Edward Ferns sentenced 28 year old Anthony Gabriel Rodriguez 22 year old Manuel Rosales Jr and 18 year old Hugo David Gomez to 54 years and eight months to life in state prison At that point 17 year old Augustin Lizama was to be retried During the sentencing of the three convicted murderers Margaret Fregoso Rodriguez s grandmother defended him and said that people outside of the court speculated that the Kuhen automobile traveled through the neighborhood so one or more occupants could purchase recreational drugs Robynn Kuhen the mother of Stephanie Kuhen said that her family was trying to find a shortcut home and said that Fregoso s statements were not true The defense in the trial suggested that the Kuhen family knew the layout of the area and would not have found themselves lost in their car 6 On Friday August 29 1997 Lizama agreed to a plea bargain in which he received a conviction for assault 10 Rodriguez California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation CDCR K65397 was booked into the CDCR system on September 2 1997 As of 2023 he is incarcerated at Correctional Training Facility 11 Rosales CDCR K65037 was booked on August 29 1997 As of 2023 he is incarcerated at Ironwood State Prison He was granted parole in August 2023 12 Gomez CDCR K65384 was booked on September 2 1997 As of 2023 he is incarcerated at California Health Care Facility 13 Aftermath editSeveral days after the incident President of the United States Bill Clinton condemned the killing and said that the United States Federal Government would give money to anti gang efforts 3 After the Kuhen incident Mayor of Los Angeles Richard Riordan asked the Criminal Justice Planning Office CJPO to create recommendations regarding gang crime Several months after the Kuhen incident the task force s suggestions lead to the creation of the Los Angeles City County Community Law Enforcement and Recovery CLEAR program 3 8 Kuhen was buried in a private ceremony on Monday September 25 1995 About 100 people attended the ceremony 14 Analysis editGeorge Ramos of the Los Angeles Times reported that many Cypress Park residents were angered by the negative portrayal of their community in the media Specifically mentioned were concerns that there was a perceived lack of attention to gang issues from the municipal government and their council member Mike Hernandez There was also anger about the Los Angeles Times posting large images of Stephanie Kuhen and her brother on the front page of the newspaper stating that the media does not do this with ethnic minority children Ramos said that the editor of the newspaper had asked for the images of the children to be posted before learning that they were white 15 Ramos also stated that many Cypress Park residents believed that if one is not from Cypress Park one should be concerned with crime in his or her own neighborhood rather than in Cypress Park 15 Allan Parachini of the American Civil Liberties Union said that the media focused attention on the Kuhen case because the victim was white George Cotliar a Los Angeles Times managing editor said that race was not the reason why the media focused attention on the case Bill Lord a director at NBC affiliate KNBC also stated that race was not a factor in why the media covered the Kuhen case Larry Elder a politically conservative African American talk show host stated that law enforcement ignored the gangs in Cypress Park since most of the residents were Hispanic and Black 16 Portals nbsp Greater Los Angeles nbsp 1990sNotes edit Corrected spelling Avenida de los Asesinos References edit Stephanie Kuhen at Find a Grave Child killing sparks action against Los Angeles gangs The Christian Science Monitor September 25 1995 Volume 87 Issue 210 Page 4 a b c d Pelisek Christine Avenues of Death LA Weekly July 14 2005 Retrieved on February 15 2009 Slaying Still Haunts Cypress Park Los Angeles Times July 18 1999 Retrieved on February 15 2009 Wrong turn costs a child s life CNN September 18 1995 Retrieved on February 15 2009 a b Gang Members Sentenced in Wrong Way Shooting Los Angeles Times August 2 1997 Retrieved on February 15 2009 Three more arrested in toddler s shooting CNN September 23 1995 Retrieved on February 15 2009 a b Community Law Enforcement And Recovery CLEAR The Los Angeles Police Department Accessed August 27 2008 Retrieved on February 15 2009 Nazario Sonia Henry Chu and Geoffrey Mohan Wrong Turn Ends in Deadly Gang Ambush Violence Child 3 dies Two others are hurt as youths block car s escape from dead end street and open fire Los Angeles Times September 18 1995 Part A Metro Desk Page 1 Retrieved on February 15 2009 Krikorian Greg Last Defendant Sentenced in Wrong Way Shooting Los Angeles Times August 30 1997 Metro Part B Page 3 Retrieved on February 15 2009 Inmate Locator California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Retrieved on September 10 2023 RODRIGUEZ ANTHONY GABRIEL K65397 41 09 02 1997 Centinela Inmate Locator California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Retrieved on September 10 2023 ROSALES MANUEL K65037 36 08 29 1997 Salinas Valley Directions While other Manuel Rosales s are listed this one is 36 as of 2010 matching with being 22 in August 1997 The other Manuel Rosales s are older 41 44 and 56 as of 2010 Inmate Locator California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Retrieved on September 10 2023 GOMEZ HUGO DAVID K65384 31 09 02 1997 Corcoran Mohan Geoffrey Girl Slain in Alley Ambush Laid to Rest Stephanie Kuhen Is Eulogized as God s Little Angel Police Arrest a 5th Suspect in Slaying Los Angeles Times September 26 1995 Retrieved on December 17 2012 a b Ramos George Getting Past the Anger in Cypress Park More information Los Angeles Times September 25 1995 Metro Part B Page 3 Retrieved on February 17 2013 Noble Kenneth B Child Is Slain and a Neighborhood Voices Its Frustrations The New York Times September 22 1995 Retrieved on February 15 2009 External links edit Three more arrested in toddler s shooting Archive CNN September 23 1995 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Murder of Stephanie Kuhen amp oldid 1181772090, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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