Accused killer hires private defense attorney
A convicted felon accused of killing a Santa Monica woman has retained a high profile criminal defense attorney.
Victor Paleologus is charged with killing Kristine Johnson, 21, which could bring the death penalty.
Paleologus hired Andrew Flier, an Encino-based attorney. Flier took over the case from public defender Jennifer Friedman last Thursday, when Paleologus was scheduled to be arraigned. The hearing was continued until June 11.
“Somebody on his behalf has retained us,” Flier said, declining to name the person. “(Paleologus) feels that based on his past, he has become the focus point in this investigation. He is adamant he didn’t do it.”
Paleologus, 40, has an extensive criminal rap sheet including luring and victimizing young, attractive women by allegedly claiming to be a photographer in the entertainment industry. His criminal history dates back more than a decade and is described by Santa Monica Police Chief James T. Butts, Jr. as a smooth-talking predator.
He has two prior convictions of assault with intent to commit rape, Flier said.
Paleologus received three years probation after a jury deadlocked on charges against him in 1991 for attempted rape, assault and false imprisonment. He allegedly lured a woman into a hotel room after telling her she would meet famous people, including Madonna, at a party for record executives. Paleologus then allegedly tied the woman to a hotel bed and attempted to rape her but she was able to escape.
Paleologus has been convicted of six felonies since 1998 ranging from grand theft to burglary to assault. He was released from state prison on Jan. 20, just three weeks before Johnson disappeared.
Paleologus has been in custody since Feb. 17 when he was arrested for allegedly stealing a BMW from a Beverly Hills dealership — just two days after he allegedly lured Johnson at a shopping mall by claiming to be a publicity photographer.
Johnson’s body was found in Laurel Canyon, a remote neighborhood in the Hollywood Hills by hikers on March 3. Her body was partially clothed, her wrists bound and she was covered in a sleeping bag at the bottom of a steep hillside off of Skyline Drive.
Johnson, a student at Santa Monica College, disappeared on Feb. 15 after telling her roommates she was going to Beverly Hills to meet a man who claimed to be a publicity photographer. She reportedly met Paleologus while shopping at the Century City Mall earlier.
Along with the capital murder charge, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office earlier this month charged Paleologus with six counts relating to the Beverly Hills case including identity theft, filing a false financial statement, burglary, grand theft auto, forgery and receiving stolen property.
Paleologus allegedly tried to buy a car at Beverly Hills BMW using the name, social security number and credit history of Robert Wasvary, who owns a home on Wonderland Park Avenue in the Hollywood Hills — just blocks away from where Johnson’s body was found.
Police say Paleologus allegedly poses as a publicity photographer for a specific film title that he’s used as his ruse multiple times. In fact, in one instance that led to a conviction, Paleologus allegedly used the exact same film title to lure his victim as he did with Johnson.
Because Paleologus has two strikes against him already for prior felonies, a conviction for Johnson’s death could bring the death penalty or life imprisonment.
“He believes he is being rail-roaded based on his prior convictions,” Flier said.
Flier, who characterized himself and his father and law firm partner, Ted Flier, as popular and successful criminal defense attorneys, said Paleologus approached him about a week ago.
Flier recently won a murder case in the San Fernando Valley and worked on the Marvin Gaye,Jr. murder case 10 years ago. Flier speculated that Paleologus heard about his reputation while in custody and contacted him.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on May 31, 2003. Read the original PDF.