Newest articles on The Sacramento Press tagged as "badlands"

Jury: Weisz not guilty in Pops' death

2011-03-18T21:39:50Z

A Sacramento County Superior Court jury decided Friday that Michael Bruce Weisz of Sacramento is not guilty of second degree murder or voluntary manslaughter in the death of local security guard Leroy “Pops” Fisher.

Instead, the jury decided that Weisz was guilty of felony hit-and-run in the 2009 death.

Weisz is expected to appear in court April 15 for sentencing. Judge Maryanne Gilliard ordered that Weisz be kept in jail until the sentencing, citing Weisz’ separate driving-under-the-influence charges.

Weisz was arrested on driving-under-the-influence charges Dec. 8, 2010 when he was out on bail for the Fisher case, according to court records. A decision has not been made at this point on the drunk driving charges.

At court on Friday, Weisz’ family and other supporters repeatedly hugged each other.

“We’re very happy for Michael,” Weisz’s aunt, Donna Solden, said after the jury made its decision. “Our faith in God and love for each other has gotten us through.”

She said Weisz’s family is sorry for Fisher and sends prayers to Fisher’s family.

A woman who said she was Fisher’s widow declined to comment on the jury’s verdict.

On Sept. 23, 2009, Weisz and a friend were ordered by Fisher and a second security guard to leave Badlands, a Midtown nightclub, for inappropriate behavior. Sacramento Police Department spokesman Sgt. Norm Leong said at the time. The Police Department also said at the time that it believed Weisz ran over Fisher in his car.

Sacramento County Deputy District Attorney Sheri Greco had argued that Weisz intentionally ran over Fisher and fled the scene. Weisz’s attorney, Donald Masuda, had argued Weisz did not intend to run over Fisher. Masuda claimed that Weisz’s mental state was impaired after Fisher Tased him with a stun pen.

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Staff reporter Suzanne Hurt contributed to this report.

Jury deliberating on "Pops" case

2011-03-16T03:34:09Z

The jury assigned to the case of local security guard Leroy “Pops” Fisher’s death is now deliberating, following a day of passionate arguments by both the prosecution and defense attorneys.

At stake is the future of Michael Bruce Weisz of Sacramento, who faces charges of second-degree murder and felony hit-and-run with death or injury in the case of Fisher’s 2009 death.

The prosecution and defense attorneys made final arguments in Weisz’ trial on Tuesday in Sacramento County Superior Court.

Sacramento County Deputy District Attorney Sheri Greco contended that Weisz is guilty of both second-degree murder and felony hit-and-run with death. Donald Masuda, the attorney representing Weisz, argued that his client is not guilty of either charge.

Weisz and a friend were ordered by Fisher and a second security guard to leave Badlands, a Midtown nightclub, for inappropriate behavior on Sept. 23, 2009, Sacramento Police Department spokesman Sgt. Norm Leong said at the time. The Police Department also said at the time that it believed Weisz ran over Fisher in his car.

Greco argued that Weisz intentionally ran over Fisher and showed “conscious disregard” for Fisher’s life. “He was driving his car into Leroy Fisher,” Greco said.

Greco, who showed photos of Fisher’s severely damaged body after the event, also argued that Weisz should be charged guilty of hit-and-run resulting in death. She contended that Weisz intentionally drove away from the crime scene to San Francisco.

Meanwhile, Masuda argued that Weisz’ mental state was affected after being Tased by Fisher with a stun pen outside the nightclub. He said that Weisz did not intentionally run over Fisher.

Rather, Masuda argued that Weisz was trying to get away from Fisher. At the scene, Weisz had been Tased, was crying and was “trying to do the best he can to get out of the parking lot.”

Weisz, fleeing from Fisher, accidentally ran him over, according to Masuda’s argument. “It’s charged as a murder, but wasn’t a murder to begin with.”

Weisz’ and Fisher’s supporters who attended the hearing sat on opposite sides of the room. Some people on both sides of the room were seen crying quietly during Tuesday’s final arguments.

The Sacramento Press will update readers on the jury’s decision as soon as it is made and information becomes available.

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Staff reporter Suzanne Hurt contributed to this report.

Trial involving Leroy "Pops" Fisher's death underway

2011-03-05T02:24:49Z

A friend of late Sacramento security guard Leroy “Pops” Fisher is urging the city’s gay community to attend the trial of the man charged with killing Fisher in 2009.

The trial involving Fisher’s death started last week in Sacramento County Superior Court. Michael Bruce Weisz of Sacramento faces charges of second-degree murder and felony hit-and-run with death or injury in the case of Fisher’s death.

Steve Thompson, who was a friend of Fisher’s, has already used Facebook and e-mail messages to ask more than 150 people to appear in court to honor Fisher.

“I want to bring as many people as can be allowed,” Thompson said.

He said he is reaching out to the gay community about the trial because he heard that Weisz has many supporters attending the court hearings. The presence of Fisher’s friends at the trial would show that Fisher had many friends and that “he is well-missed in the community,” Thompson said.

The Police Department said at the time that it believed Weisz ran over Fisher in his car.

Donald Masuda, the attorney representing Weisz, said Friday he was not bothered by the possibility of a crowd of Fisher’s supporters at the trial. “As long as they’re not disruptive, I don’t see any problem with it.”

In a comment to The Sacramento Bee in December 2009, Masuda contended that Fisher’s death was accidental.

The next hearing will be held 9 a.m. Tuesday, at Superior Court’s Department 12 in Sacramento, 720 Ninth St.

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Staff reporter Suzanne Hurt contributed to this report.

New dance club coming to 20th and K

2010-09-23T22:57:04Z

A new dance club and bar is scheduled to come to K street by spring.

The 2,500-square-foot night spot will be built atop the Hot Rod’s hamburger restaurant, 2007 K St., and will be the first bar and dance club on the corner to feature food, according to owner T.J. Bruce, who also owns nearby night spots The Depot and Badlands.

“The main difference is we’ll have real local DJs instead of the video jockeys we have in the other clubs,” Bruce said.

The venue will be called Sidetrax, and like other bars in the area, it will cater to the gay and lesbian community, but Bruce was quick to say it’s not exclusive.

“It’s a bar for everyone in Midtown,” he said.

Bruce added that he plans to keep the club open to the 18-and-over crowd Friday and Saturday nights.

“They don’t have anywhere to go on Friday and Saturday nights, especially not gays and lesbians,” Bruce said.

The building had three stories, but Bruce said the top floors were torn off and will be rebuilt for the club, including a rear balcony and rooftop area where food and drinks will be served.

Access to the club will be via a staircase next to G Spot, an adult store.

In order to distinguish Sidetrax from the other dance clubs he owns, Bruce said it will likely have karaoke and country music at times.

“I just think it’s unique,” Bruce said. “Plus, we’ll be providing a place for local DJs to come and perform.”

Opening another gay-friendly bar and dance club in an area already dominated by them will, Bruce said, help “anchor the LGBT community to this area and provide a really strong (alternative) to San Francisco.”

Brandon Darnell is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Puttin' around with purpose

2010-08-30T03:11:48Z

Pedestrian traffic may have appeared somewhat peculiar in Midtown on Saturday. Merry crowds of golfers, and a pirate or two, took to the streets in droves for the first annual Albie Puttin’ Pub and Putt Crawl presented by Go-Girl Energy Drink.

Tickets were $25 for walk-ups and $20 for those who preregistered. All proceeds from the event went straight to Albie Aware Inc., a foundation dedicated to supporting women struggling with breast cancer.

Executive Director Cindy Love, was a close friend to Albie Carson. The foundation was formed after Carson died of breast cancer in 2002.

“We started the foundation because she was not given the proper testing after she was diagnosed, and we would like to prevent those tragedies in the future for other women,” Love said.

Go-Girl held this event in Hawaii and had good success with it, so they brought it to Sacramento and Albie Aware Inc.

“It’s a pub crawl with a twist,” Go-Girl marketing manager Amber Latoof said.

Participants were awarded with prizes for best and worst dressed golfers and most creative costume.

Nine bars and restaurants made up the course, with themed putting greens in place at each hole. Bars were responsible for constructing their hole, infusing it with unique personality and flair.

Even with only a month’s notice, Latoof said it was not hard to get locations because of the bars’ tremendous support for the event.

“We’re also trying to promote downtown, so we hope this is the first event of many,” she said.

Around noon, a line began to form in front of de Vere’s Irish Pub for the first round of drinks and the first hole of golf. From de Vere’s, staggered groups traveled an average of a block at a time in pursuit of bar specials and urbanized mini-golf.

“It’s a very good way for people to give to a charity and have fun,” volunteer Jeanette Galvan said.

Galvan signed off participants’ score cards at the Capitol Garage green. At the end of the day, those who finished the entire course were able to submit their cards for a raffle giving away a trip for two to Las Vegas.

Over 200 people took part in the crawl, making it a very successful event for Albie Aware.

Torch Club’s island theme won them the “best bar” contest. By that point, participants were visibly loosened up — at the expense of their short game.

Golfing became an afterthought as the day went on. People sank their putts and quickly headed to the bar. Marcus Marquez, owner of L Wine Lounge, winner of this year’s “best cocktail” contest and home to hole No. 8, remarked that the groups passing through his restaurant were having a lot of fun.

“We’ve done a lot of pub crawls, but not any with this kind of theme,” he said. “We’re already looking forward to next year’s — to make it bigger and better,” Marquez said. “Having anything that supports charities and changes it up from regular crawls makes it more fun and people get more involved.”

Nichole Farley had been planning a day of drinking and golfing when she stumbled upon Go-Girl’s Facebook updates advertising Albie Puttin’.

“This was the perfect combination,” Farley said. “For $25 it’s going to a good cause and it’s fun. I like the idea.”

Groups large and small marched through Midtown, making stops at Badlands, Mulvaney’s B&L, Zocalo, Streets of London and Bistro 33 before returning to the clubhouse at de Vere’s for the raffle drawing and prize giveaway.

Now that the bars have had a crash course in conceptualizing the event, Love said they are completely on board for doing it again next year.

“The event was terrific and funds raised were beyond our expectations,” Love said.

A future benefit, the fourth annual “Blues for Life,” will be held for the foundation at the Torch Club on Oct. 3.

Photos one through five by Dane Johnson

Photos six through nine courtesy of Casey Alford

Albie Puttin’ event to aid breast cancer patients

2010-08-26T04:30:15Z

Golf, pub crawl and breast cancer are usually not three topics you see together. But then again, Albie Puttin’ is not your typical pub crawl.

Saturday, Sacramentans can play a nine-hole game of miniature golf and enjoy drink specials all while helping breast cancer patients.

All ticket sales will benefit the Albie Aware organization — founded to help provide resources such as paying medical fees to breast cancer patients. This is the first pub crawl event fundraiser that Albie Aware is holding, sponsored by Go-Girl Energy Drink.

The crawl will begin with at noon Saturday at deVere’s Irish Pub. Each restaurant or bar has made its own themed hole and will feature drink and food specials, not included in the $20 preregistration fee or $25 walk-up fee.

Henry de Vere White, one of the owners of the deVere’s pub, said he hopes this event will raise breast cancer awareness.

“Its going to be a lot of fun, you get to goof off with your friends and maybe go to places you normally don’t go to, but at the same time, you’re helping to save lives and show support,” de Vere White said.

The nine holes also includes Capital Garage, Badlands, Mulvaney’s B&L, Torch Club, Streets of London Pub, Bistro 33, L Wine Lounge and Zócalo.

Participants who finish the course will have the chance to win prizes, including a Las Vegas trip for two. Awards will also be given to the best and worst golf costume and best golf score.

Albie Aware founder Doug Carson lost his wife, Albie, to breast cancer on July 4, 2002. He said that in April of 2002 doctors had pronounced her cancer-free Just three weeks later, doctors discovered she had a brain tumor.

Carson said this was not detectable without an MRI or CT scan, which most insurance do not cover. Soon after, he began Albie Aware to raise money for testing.

“We’re trying to make people aware of what their needs are and things that happen to them that can help them save their lives if they have breast cancer,” Carson said.

Albie Aware — which sounds like ‘I’ll be aware’— serves more than 1,000 women a year. Unlike other breast cancer organizations, it does not raise money for cancer research.

“Of course we want a cure, but we are here to help take care of people’s needs now,” said Carson. "(We want to) help people with breast cancer, now. Help provide those services and help save their lives, now.”

Tickets for Albie Puttin’ are available at wantickets.com.

Friends Show Support For Accused Security Guard Murderer

2009-09-25T22:06:37Z

Before this week, he could have been best described as your average, typical 23-year-old male. A love of cars, technology and fashion is evident from the photos and descriptions that litter his online MySpace and Facebook profiles. Comments from friends show he was much loved and adored, but now those same friends are showing signs of solidarity and support for a man accused of murder.

"My heart goes out to you," friend Christopher Williams wrote Michael "Mykel" Weisz's MySpace profile. "I know you wouldn't do anything to hurt someone on purpose."

But that's exactly what authorities say Weisz did Wednesday morning when he allegedly ran down 64-year-old security guard Leroy Fisher with his car after being ejected from "Badlands," a popular gay Sacramento nightclub. Fisher died from the hit-and-run incident; Weisz and a friend later surrendered to authorities in San Francisco. Authorities say Fisher's death was not accidental.

"We believe he [Weisz] purposefully hit him," police spokesman Sgt. Norm Leong told reporters Wednesday. "It was not an accident."

A passenger that was reportedly with Weisz at the time of the murder has not been charged, though the investigation is still ongoing.

Weisz was booked into Sacramento County Jail early Thursday morning on one count of felony murder and one count of felony hit-and-run. Almost immediately following the news, an influx of friends flocked to Weisz's online profiles to express their support and love.

"Love ya Mykel, here for you!" friend Cheryl Ehara wrote on Weisz's Facebook profile. Another, Tru Calderon, wrote "May God be with you my friend."

The support for Michael Weisz seems underwhelmed compared to the evening vigil for Leroy Fisher, where friends, family and supporters of Sacramento's gay and lesbian community gathered on K Street near a line of gay clubs and businesses to remember a person who felt more like a friend than a security guard. Sacramento resident George Raya frequently hired Fisher for security at events, but was also familiar with Weisz.

"He has a bad reputation," Raya told Sacramento Press reporter Suzanne Hurt. "He's just this wild 23-year-old who gets drunk and doesn't act considerate."

Now, the same 23-year-old adored by family and friends sits behind bars, accused of murdering a beloved community figure. Weisz did not enter a plea when he appeared in Sacramento County court Friday afternoon. Instead, his attorney requested, and was granted, a delay by the court. Weisz's next scheduled appearance in court is set for early October.

A statement reportedly from Weisz's family was placed on his Facebook profile Thursday afternoon on his behalf, thanking the public for their support.

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Matthew Keys is an online news writer for FOX40.com and community contributor to The Sacramento Press. He can be reached by e-mail at mkeys@tribune.com.

Photos appear courtesy Michael Weisz' Facebook profile.

"Pops" mourned, suspect held

2009-09-25T04:08:32Z

Friends of a bouncer allegedly run down and killed on the job were asking themselves Thursday why they weren't able to protect him the way he'd protected them for years.

People who knew 64-year-old Leroy Fisher described him as a down-to-earth, soft-spoken security guard who could de-escalate most bad situations just by talking. His calm demeanor, helpful advice and age earned him the nickname "Pops" at the four gay bars at which he coordinated security.

When fights did break out, Fisher jumped right in to break them up. That earned him the love and respect of many in the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community, who mourned him at a candlelight vigil Wednesday night. But that also brought him fear — a fear of retribution.

"He told us he knew his time was coming," said Olivia Shafer, 21, as she stood beside a shrine near where he died. "It just sucks, 'cause we weren't here."

Shafer and other regulars, as well as bar employees, stepped in to help Fisher on many occasions, she said. They say they can't understand why he was alone early Wednesday when he was reportedly run down by a car in a parking lot behind the gay dance club Badlands.

A 23-year-old club regular was being held in Sacramento County Jail Thursday after being charged with Fisher's murder. Police believe Michael Weisz of Sacramento ran Fisher down after being kicked out of the club, said Sgt. Norm Leong, Sacramento Police Department spokesman.

Midtown resident George Raya always hired Fisher, who operated Leroy Fisher Private Security, to work at dances sponsored by Capital Crossroads Gay Rodeo Association. He called Fisher a "super-good guy" who was very friendly.

Weisz, who is gay, seemed to be known by everyone at the bar.

"He has a bad reputation," Raya said. "He's just this wild 23 year old who gets drunk and doesn't act considerate."

Gay bars usually are free of violence, said Bill Burgua, who is active in Sacramento's gay community.

"It's not usual to have fights break out in gay bars. That's pretty unheard of," he said. "It's very, very sad that somebody could take out their anger in this way."

Weisz and a friend who was a passenger in the car turned themselves in to Sacramento detectives at a San Francisco police station shortly before noon Wednesday. Fisher and a second security guard had removed the men from the bar roughly between 12:30 a.m. and 1 a.m. because they weren't acting appropriately, Leong said.

Police called to the scene found Fisher lying injured in the parking lot of Badlands, which sits near the corner of 20th and K streets in a trendy neighborhood nicknamed "Lavender Heights" for its concentration of gay-owned businesses. Fisher died of his injuries at U.C. Davis Medical Center, police said.

The passenger, who lives in Sacramento, has not been charged in connection with the crime. Police, who are still investigating, are not releasing his name, photos or additional information, Leong said. Detectives are searching for additional witnesses.

"We're hoping there's some witness that saw what happened who will come forward now," Leong said. "We still need any witnesses that might have seen anything in that back parking area."

An estimated 100 people turned out Wednesday night for the vigil held at a shrine dedicated to Fisher on a grassy area next to the parking lot that Badlands shares with The Depot Video Club. Thursday afternoon, people stopped by to leave flowers, write notes and pay their respects.

"I guess God needed him more than I did. RIP. I (heart) you Pops!" read one note.

A trust fund to help Fisher's wife and son is being established, and a memorial is being arranged, said T.J. Bruce, who owns The Depot Video Club, Badlands and Hot Rods, a burger-and-hot-dog joint next door. Bruce said he did not know Weisz.

Fisher had provided security services for Bruce's businesses for eight years, and also worked many gay and lesbian events.

"We loved him," Bruce said. "He was basically a neighborhood fixture."

Fisher was kind to many people, calling taxis if they were too drunk to drive and giving out Sugar Daddy candy, said Matthew Windsor, who visited the shrine Thursday.

"He was a good and generous man," Windsor said.

The security guard was known to wear a cowboy hat with devil's horns and tell people that he wore the hat because he was horny. Fisher admired the ladies and shared his wisdom with Shafer and other young people in the club crowd, said Shafer, who knew him nearly five years. After his death, she wrote "RIP Pops" on her neck, and said she is considering getting a tattoo in his memory.

"He was a loved man, and that's why we don't understand why he was killed," she said.

Candlelight vigil photo provided by Nathan Feldman. Suzanne Hurt is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Two Serious Crimes in Two Days at Gay and Lesbian Associated Businesses

2009-09-23T23:45:36Z

Armed Robery at Headhunters Resturant

Midday Tuesday an armed robery occured at Headhunters Resturant at 20th and K Streets in Midtown. According to an e-mail from Lt. Mike Bray with the Sacramento Police Department:

"I just wanted to advise you of a robbery today that occurred at Headhunters today. A black male about 19 years old walked in and pointed a handgun at the bartender and stole cash from the register. Thankfully no one was injured. Our detectives will be following up on the case. If I learn anything else I will let you know."

Early Morning Homicide in the Parking Lot Behind Badlands

A homicide occured in the parking lot behind Badlands Nighclub. Also from an e-mail from Lt. Bray:

"We had a report of a shooting or possibly a stabbing in the Badlands Bar parking lot early this morning at approximately 1:30 AM. Officers arrived and found that the security guard who works there had been struck by a car. He was transported to a hospital where he later died. Homicide and Traffic Detectives responded and are trying to determine if this was an intentional act or if it was a horrific accident and the driver fled the scene. We have suspect information but unfortunately I cannot release it to you at this time. Although it is the preliminary stages of the investigation this does not appear to be a random act or a hate crime. If I get more information I will try and forward it to you. I will be in LA until tomorrow morning so there may be a slight delay."