| For Immediate Release Case # 11CF0839 December 19, 2011 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
MAN LINKED THROUGH DNA SENTENCED TO SIX YEARS IN PRISON FOR KILLING LIVE-IN
GIRLFRIEND IN 1992
SANTA ANA – A man was convicted and sentenced today to six years in state prison for killing his live-in girlfriend in 1992 after being linked to the crime through DNA. Lawrence Jerome Smith, 49, formerly of Anaheim, pleaded guilty to one felony count of voluntary manslaughter.
On Sept. 21, 1992, Smith physically beat his live-in girlfriend, Rosalyn Hamilton, rendering her unconscious. The then drove the victim to La Palma hospital and claimed to have found her non-responsive with no knowledge of how she had been injured. When informed by hospital staff that the victim’s injuries were consistent with being beaten, Smith fled the scene. Hamilton died at the hospital as a result of her injuries.
Smith was a suspect in the 1992 investigation, but there was insufficient evidence to prove a case against him at that time.
The Anaheim Police Department, who investigated this case, began re-investigating this case and linked Smith to the Hamilton’s death using DNA technology not available at the time of the murder. Smith had blood and DNA from the victim on his clothing.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Larry Yellin of the Homicide Unit prosecuted this case.
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