August 29, 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

Toxic Avenger Reboot Aims to Smash Box Office and Medical Debt on Labor Day Weekend

August 29, 2025

August 29, 2025

Film’s Release Comes With a Promise to Erase Millions in Medical Bills The upcoming release of The Toxic Avenger will...

Trump Says Beverly Hills Residents Leave Cars Open for Thieves, Locals Call It Nonsense

August 28, 2025

August 28, 2025

Officials and Residents Say Trump’s Crime Remarks Don’t Reflect Reality City officials and residents pushed back this week after former...

Beverly Hills Schools Halt Israeli Flag Display Despite School Board Vote

August 28, 2025

August 28, 2025

Superintendent Cites Safety Concerns After Narrow 3–2 Decision Despite a 3–2 Board of Education vote to display the Israeli flag...

Los Angeles County Public Health Probe Sparks Nationwide Egg Recall Over Salmonella

August 28, 2025

August 28, 2025

More Than 95 Cases Tied to Country Eggs in 14 States; Do Not Eat Affected Cartons Los Angeles Public health...

(Video) The Opening of Mr. Charlie’s with Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete

August 28, 2025

August 28, 2025

Vegan burger restaurant with brightly colored decor now open on 26th street across fromthe Brentwood Country Mart. The Opening of...

California Pizza Kitchen Debuts Heart-Shaped Pizza Celebrating Swift–Kelce

August 28, 2025

August 28, 2025

13 Days of Engagement Pizzas, and Return of Hot Honey Flavors California Pizza Kitchen is rolling out a series of...

Culver Hotel Celebrates 101 Years With 101 Anniversary Menu and Live Music

August 28, 2025

August 28, 2025

Guests Can Enjoy a Four-Course Meal, Nightly Performances, Trivia Contest The historic Culver Hotel is celebrating its 101st anniversary this...

Westside Chefs Shine at the Manhattan Beach Food & Wine Festival in September

August 27, 2025

August 27, 2025

South Bay’s Culinary Festival Returns With Two Nights of Food, Wine, and Music Santa Monica, Westchester, Los Angeles, and West...

(Video) Come Tour The Willows Community School!

August 27, 2025

August 27, 2025

Sign up for a tour at The Willows and come see what makes our school such a vibrant, inspiring place...

Jewish Clergy Rally in Los Angeles Urging Ceasefire, Hostage Release, and Food Aid for Gaza

August 27, 2025

August 27, 2025

Two Dozen Rabbis Gathered at Israeli Consulate, Hostage’s Family Appears at Second Rally Jewish clergy from across Los Angeles County...

Metro LA’s Aug. 30 Deadline for Public Comment on Sepulveda Transit Draft EIR Approaches

August 27, 2025

August 27, 2025

Community Members Can Weigh In Before the 90-Day Comment Period Closes. Metro is reminding community members that the 90-day public...

Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Culver City, and Uni High Gear Up for Early-Season Games

August 26, 2025

August 26, 2025

The Centaurs, Eagles, Normans, and Wildcats Face Key Matchups This Week Football season is heating up across our area, with...

I-405 to See Lane Reductions, Ramp Closures as Pavement Rehab Project Continues

August 26, 2025

August 26, 2025

Drivers Should Expect Delays With Overnight Work Aug. 26–28, Sept. 5 Motorists using Interstate 405 through the Sepulveda Pass should...

Kobe Day Tribute: Lakers Welcome UCLA Newborns With Purple-and-Gold Gifts

August 26, 2025

August 26, 2025

Babies Received Adorable Care Packages in Celebration of “Kobe Day.” Families welcoming newborns at UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center and...

Suspect Arrested After Eight-Hour SWAT Standoff in Jefferson Park Shooting

August 26, 2025

August 26, 2025

 Police Say a Man Was Killed and a Suspect Barricaded Himself Inside a Home Hours after a fatal shooting near...