RACING GREAT MICKEY THOMPSON MURDER CASE DRAGS ON AND ON

Today (Tuesday, Oct. 21, 9:00 a.m.) the California 4th District Court of Appeal will hear more arguments regarding the jurisdiction of the trial for the murders of Auto Racing Legend, Mickey Thompson and his wife Trudy. The Thompsons were viciously gunned down in their drive way as they were leaving their Bradbury, California home for work , March 16, 1988. Michael F. Goodwin, 58, was arrested, December 2001, for the double homicides of the Thompsons. He has been charged with two counts of first degree murder, plus conspiracy to commit murder, along with three special circumstance charges: Lying in wait, murder for financial gain and multiple homicide. A Petition for a Writ of Mandate was filed by the Goodwin defense in their attempt to reverse the decisions of two Superior Court Judges, the Honorable Francisco P. Briseno and the Honorable Frank F. Fasel. Both courts had previously ruled that Orange County had jurisdiction over the trial. The defense has attempted to have the case dismissed or moved to Los Angeles County. Thompson and Goodwin had been involved in a bitter civil dispute, with Thompson being awarded more than $500,000. The judgment remains unpaid and is now estimated to be in excess of two million dollars, none of which has been paid to the Thompson Estate. Immediately following a long awaited arrest in the famous case and during interviews with the suspect, Goodwin was emphatic that he would exercise his right to a speedy trial, as provided by law, within six weeks of his arrest. However, numerous motions from Goodwin have caused nearly two years of trial delays. Two defense petitions to the Court of Appeal, on other issues, were previously denied. Goodwin has strongly opposed the case being tried in Orange County, indicating he wants the case dismissed or moved to Los Angeles County. The Orange County District Attorney's Office has said, either Orange County or Los Angeles County has territorial jurisdiction over the case. One angry observer said, " Goodwin is working hard to get the case tried in the same Los Angeles jury pool as O.J. Simpson." Goodwin has stated he believes there is a conspiracy by law enforcement, the District Attorney and the family of the murdered victims to convict him. Collene Campbell, Mickey Thompson's sister and only sibling, smiled and said she is not surprised by many of Goodwin's absurd and false accusations. She stated, "It is common for a guilty criminal to try and demean the integrity of all those who are attempting to bring justice. It is painful for law enforcement and the victims' family, but it beats having violent criminals free on our streets. It would be unique and unexpected to hear a murder suspect say that law enforcement, prosecutors and the victim and their family are good and fair people".

Fourth Appellate Court, Division 3 925 N. Spurgeon, Santa Ana, CA

General Information Regarding Defendant:

Michael Frank Goodwin, DOB: 2-4-45; Federal Case # SACR 93-67-1 Michael Goodwin and former wife, Diane Sidel Goodwin, convicted of 13 counts of conspiracy and lying to financial institutions, sentenced to 30 months, Federal Prison, July 8, 1996. (Santa Ana Criminal, year 1993, case number 67, defendant "1", Federal Court.)

Thompson Murder Case: Mickey Thompson, 59, and Trudy Thompson, 41, murdered in the driveway of their Bradbury, CA. home at 6:05 a.m. on the morning of March 16, 1988.

Orange County District Attorney, Case # 01CF3294; David Brent, Prosecutor. Deputy D.A. James Mulgrew, Writs & Appeal. Los Angeles County Sheriff, File # 088-04387-0511-011, Detective M. Lillienfeld, Homicide Bureau, (323) 890-5628 4th Appellant District, Div. 3, Case Number: G031285;

Note: According to the California Appellate Courts website, this is the fifth appeal filed by Goodwin. The previous four have been denied.

# # # Time line - History of Court Action and Dates: (Note: There were additional court dates of which we were not aware, until after the fact.)

December 13, 2001; Michael Frank Goodwin Arrested for Thompson murders. December 17, 2001; Goodwin arraigned, ordered held without bail for two counts of first degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder, plus, three special circumstances: (1) Lying in wait, (2) murder for financial gain and (3) multiple homicide. February 15, 2002; by request of Goodwin's defense, his Federal Probation Violation Hearing was rescheduled to Feb. 17, 2003. March 1; 2002; Recusal Hearing (defense motion, to move case from Orange County) rescheduled by Judge Gary Paer to March 8th, and that Recusal hearing was reset to March 18th. March 18; Orange County Superior Court Judge F. P. Briseno, denied defense Recusal Motion to remove case from Orange County. April 15,16 & 18th; Preliminary hearing: Superior Court Judge F. Briseno, 10th floor. April 18; Preliminary Trial: Judge Briseno ruled there was sufficient evidence to bind Goodwin over for trial for the Thompson murders. April 30th; Superior Court Arraignment, Judge Kreber, Dept. 5, Goodwin pleaded not guilty. Judge Kreber ordered Goodwin held for all murder charges, without bail. May 10; Judge Kazuhara Makino, Dept. 30; For a "995" motion hearing date. Set 995 hearing, June 28. Scheduled murder trial to begin July 8 before Judge Briseno. June 28; Defense failed to file their motion and the June 28 date was removed from the court calendar. July 8 is scheduled to be the next court appearance before Judge Makino who will set a new date for trial. July 3; The 4th District Court of Appeals refused to hear the appeal of the Defense, to overturn the court's denial of their recusal motion (to remove the trial from Orange County Courts). July 8; In the Superior Court of Judge F Briseno, Goodwin's trial was delayed to December 9, 2002. A 1538.5 motion (to suppress search and seizure evidence) was scheduled for Sept. 6 in Judge Briseno's Court. On this same date in Dept. 38, Superior Court Judge Frank Fasel, set a 995 hearing, scheduled for July 26. Note: The July 26, 995 motion hearing was later delayed until August 23, 2002. (Note: that hearing date was also rescheduled.) Sept. 6; Judge Frank Fasel, rescheduled the 995 motion, due to be heard in his court, Sept.20, 9:00 a.m. (moved to the 11th floor). Judge F. Briseno ordered an information hearing for Sept. 20, 11th floor, for the 1538.5 motion. (A motion by defense to suppress evidence seized by officers responding to search warrants. The defense filed a 1050 motion to delay hearing. Sept. 20: Judges Fasel denied the 995 defense motion; therefore, trial has been ordered to remain in Orange County. Judge Briseno, after hearing the prosecution and defense, requested another information hearing for Sept. 27, regarding discovery evidence as applied to Penal Code, section 1054.1 Sept. 27: Judge Briseno ruled that the defense discovery motion was too broad and denied their request for evidence that did not pertain, per the code. Judge Briseno ordered another information hearing for 8:30 a. m., Oct. 18, to discuss the progress of the discovery issue. The Oct. 18 date was delayed until Oct. 25, which was again delayed until Nov. 1, and on that date was continued until Nov 8. Nov. 8, Judge Briseno granted the defense's motion and rescheduled the trial date from Dec. 9, delaying trial another four months. The new trial date is April 7, 2003, 9:00 a.m. in the Courtroom of Judge Briseno, 11th floor. Dec. 9, Hearing scheduled on the progress of discovery evidence. Note: the victims' family and prosecutor appeared in the courtroom, only to learn all action concerning the case had been stayed, with exception of the appearance court on Feb. 21, 2003. Feb. 19, 2003, (changed from Feb. 21) 9:00 a.m., 925 N. Spurgeon, Santa Ana. Good O.C. or L.A.? April 7, 2003 Murder trial was scheduled to begin. Note: This date has been Stayed until a ruling by the DCA. Feb 23: Dist. Court of Appeal regarding jurisdiction of case Oct. 21, 2003, Jurisdiction Arguments, Dist. Court of Appeal