MISTRIAL DECLARED IN TRIAL OF LA FIREFIGHTER ACCUSED OF BEATING WOMAN FOR FEEDING STRAY CATS

Attorneys Robert Schwartz and Garret Weinrieb defend decorated Los Angeles City Firefighter Ian Eulian and his mother Lonieta Fontaine against felony charges of assault, battery and accessory for an alleged assault on a woman feeding stray cats in their West Adams neighborhood. After nearly a four week jury trial at the Los Angeles Criminal Courts Building, Judge Frederick N. Wapner declared as a mistrial as the jurors were unable to reach a unanimous verdict. Mr. Schwartz and Mr. Weinrieb argued that Mr. Eulian acted in defense of his mother Ms. Fontaine after she was kicked to the ground by the alleged victim. The District Attorney’s Office has not yet decided whether to proceed with a retrial of the case.

Ian Eulian and his 70-year-old mother Lonieta Fontaine were charged in the alleged beating of Rebecca Stafford in September 2013. Surveillance video shows Eulian punching Stafford, but prosecutors claimed Eulian was protecting his elderly mother who was kicked by Stafford during the confrontation.