June 28, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

Beverly Hills police sergeant’s lawsuit regarding death of Whitney Houston moves forward

A Beverly Hills police sergeant’s lawsuit against the city related to the death of singer Whitney Houston can move forward, a judge ruled today.

Sgt. Brian Weir alleged he was harassed and denied promotions for reporting a detective, Sgt. Terry Nutall, peeked at Houston’s nude body the night she died in a bathtub.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Gregory Alarcon rejected arguments by defense attorney Donald Samuels that Nutall never touched or disturbed the famed entertainer’s corpse at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, and that plaintiff Sgt. Brian Weir could not have believed he was witnessing a possible crime.

“There’s no indication that Sgt. Nutall moved the body from the place of death,” Samuels said.

Samuels said the only people who moved Houston’s body were the singer’s bodyguards and the paramedics.

But Weir’s lawyer, Christopher Brizzolara, scoffed at Samuel’s assertion. He said it is unlawful to disturb or move a decedent’s body without the coroner’s permission. He said that taking the sheet from her body was just as wrong as it would have been to take off her blouse.

“Any reasonable person would believe that what Sgt. Nutall did was illegal or should be illegal,” Brizzolara said.

Brizzolara said after the hearing that Weir was present at the scene because he was on a patrol that night and called to assist the first two officers to arrive.

Nutall, a forgery detective, had no business there, Brizzolara said.

Weir was on a fast ascent within the department’s promotional ladder before he reported Nutall’s alleged misconduct, Brizzolara said.

Houston, 48, was found submerged in a bathtub in her room at the Beverly Hilton on Feb. 11, 2012 — just before the Grammy Awards. The coroner’s office concluded she drowned accidentally, with heart disease and cocaine use listed as contributing factors.

Weir’s retaliation suit, filed March 10, alleges that Nutall knelt beside and leaned over Houston, removed the sheet covering her body and said, “Damn, she’s still looking good, huh?”

Nutall also made comments “to the effect and substance that (Houston) looked attractive for a woman her age and current state,” the lawsuit states.

Nutall’s alleged actions violated state or federal statutes that forbid disturbing or moving the body of a decedent without permission of the coroner and also presented potential DNA contamination issues, the lawsuit states.

In addition, Nutall “treated the dead body of the decedent in a way that Nutall knew would outrage ordinary family sensibilities,” according to the lawsuit.

The suit alleges that, after Weir came forward with his complaints about Nutall’s alleged conduct, he was removed from his positions with the SWAT and K-9 teams, removed from supervisory positions and denied promotions.

Weir also lost overtime opportunities, was denied training and was ostracized and harassed within the department, the suit states. Along with damages, Weir is asking to be restored to his SWAT and K-9 positions, which are considered coveted positions with the BHPD, the suit states.

Nutall has since been promoted to lieutenant, Weir’s suit states.

Trial of Weir’s case is scheduled July 20.

Related Posts

Robbery Suspects Captured in Beverly Hills After License Plate Alert Triggers Pursuit

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Foot Chase Ends in Arrests After ALPR Flags Robbery Vehicle in Beverly Hills An alert from the Beverly Hills Police...

EEEEEATSCON Los Angeles Returns with Star Chefs, Firefighter Tribute, and Wildfire Relief Efforts

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Culinary Festival Features Exclusive Restaurant Collabs, Support for Small Businesses  EEEEEATSCON Los Angeles, the celebrated food festival curated by The...

Supporters to Gather This Weekend for Longtime Culver City Paleta Seller Held in Detention

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Family and Neighbors Will Gather Sunday to Sell Paletas and Raise Funds Supporters will gather this Sunday at Veterans Park...

Suspect Charged by Los Angeles DA with Shooting of Santa Monica Cop and Teens

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Faces Attempted Murder Charges and Over 100 Years to Life in Prison if Convicted. Criminal charges have been filed against...

Café UCLA Pops Up in Westwood to Honor Arthur Ashe’s Historic Wimbledon Win

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Three-Day Celebration Includes Giveaways in Tribute to the Iconic Athlete and Activist UCLA will commemorate the 50th anniversary of Arthur...

Captain America Hits the Skirball Big Screen for Heroic Outdoor Movie Night

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Museum-Goers Can Also Catch a Superhero-Themed Drawing Session The Skirball Cultural Center will host an outdoor screening of Captain America:...

Demolition Underway at Beverly Grove Squatter Site After Mystery Fire Renews Safety Fears

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Crews Begin Tearing Down Long-Vacant Apartments on First and Flores  Demolition has begun at a group of long-abandoned apartment buildings...

(Video) Welcome to the Urban Jungle — where nature meets the city and style meets soul

June 26, 2025

June 26, 2025

Whether you’re chasing that gritty city energy or carving out a green oasis in your space, we’re here to help...

Santa Monica Police Arrest Shooting Suspect After Officer Ambushed Near Downtown Mall

June 26, 2025

June 26, 2025

Man Linked to Waymo Vehicle Gunfire Taken Into Custody Following Tense Manhunt The suspect wanted in connection with a shooting...

Brentwood Weekend Specials: $9 Wine & Street Tacos, Blush-Inspired Lattes & Beauty Swag

June 26, 2025

June 26, 2025

Street Tacos and Wine Meets Self-Care in Brentwood and Santa Monica Brentwood Fine Wines will welcome back local culinary favorite...

Michelin Stars Shine Bright on LA: Somni West Hollywood and Providence Earn Top Honors

June 26, 2025

June 26, 2025

Two Restaurants in Los Angeles Receive Three Stars as Michelin Guide Celebrates Bold Flavors The MICHELIN Guide California 2025 celebrated...

Cherished Culver City Ice Cream Vendor Abducted in Broad Daylight

June 26, 2025

June 26, 2025

Ambrocio “Enrique” Lozano’s Disappearance Led To Grassroots Action Ambrocio Lozano, also known in the neighborhood as Enrique, was abducted around...

Brentwood Home by Landry Design Group Wins Top National Architecture Award

June 25, 2025

June 25, 2025

Landry Design Group Wins Gold Nugget Awards for Brentwood, Crestwood Projects Landry Design Group (LDG) earned two top honors at...

(Video) WISE & Healthy Aging Helps Loved Ones Boost Their Quality of Life

June 24, 2025

June 24, 2025

See How the Nonprofit’s Innovative Programs Advance the Dignity of Life for Older Adults See How the Nonprofit’s Innovative Programs...

Masked Federal Agents Detain Iranian Asylum Seeker and Wife in Westwood

June 24, 2025

June 24, 2025

31-Year-Old Woman was Hospitalized After Possible Medical Emergency On Tuesday, June 24, between 11:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., near the...