Expert: Robin Sexton - 4/17/2008

Question
Hi!  I'm a writer and I have a situation in my book that I really need to ask about.  In this story, a celebrity couple gets mugged by three guys who are high.  The couple is beaten up and the guy is out for a minute.  He comes to and the muggers are raping his wife.  He winds up killing two of the muggers.  The couple both has serious injuries from the mugging and need to go to the hospital, but would he be arrested?  What would the procedure be for something like that?  How different is it for a celebrity couple in Hollywood from regular people?

Answer
Evelyn,

Based on your scenario it is unlikely the male victim would be arrested.  Obviously there would be an investigation and referred to the county prosecutor for review.  My opinion it would be ruled self defense there for justified.
The biggest difference with "celebrity" type incidents is the amount of press that gets involved.  The Police and Prosecutors are normally impressed by their celebrity status and actually are probably more intently scrutinized.  The involvement of the media is the biggest distracting and annoying factor.   Usually creates about 100% more work for the investigators.


Good luck

robin