August 8, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

Judge Postpones Closing Arguments of Trial Accusing Man of Killing 20th Century Fox Executive

A Los Angeles judge Thursday postponed the conclusion of closing arguments in the trial of a San Fernando Valley man accused of killing a 20th Century Fox distribution executive who was having an affair with the defendant’s estranged wife.

Judge Stephen A. Marcus told the court that two jurors could not be present Thursday and scheduled the proceedings to continue at 9 a.m. Friday.

On Wednesday, prosecutor Bobby Grace told the eight-woman, four-man jury that John Creech attacked his estranged wife’s married lover, Gavin Smith, out of revenge after using a GPS cell phone app to track her down and sneak up on the two in Smith’s Mercedes-Benz in West Hills in May 2012.

But defense attorney Irene Nunez urged jurors to acquit the 44-year-old defendant, telling jurors that Creech had a lawful right to defend himself in a fight that he testified was initiated by Smith, a 57-year-old married father of three sons.

“This was a tragic fight between two grown men, two flawed men, two imperfect men,” Creech’s attorney said. “There was no intention to kill. This was a spontaneous fight.”

Grace told jurors Creech “went to great lengths to hide all of the things that he did to Gavin Smith,” whose remains were found in a shallow grave in the Angeles National Forest in the Antelope Valley about 2 1/2 years after he disappeared.

The prosecutor argued that the actions Creech took to hide Smith’s body and car were inconsistent with self-defense and demonstrated a “stunning consciousness of guilt.”

“He deliberately, viciously, intently delivered murderous blows to Gavin Smith repeatedly, which resulted in Gavin Smith’s death,” the prosecutor said. “This wasn’t a kids’ fight … There’s clearly an intent to kill here that’s evidenced by the severity of the injuries to Gavin Smith.”

“In this case, there’s certainly motive,” Grace said of the on-and-off again relationship between Creech’s estranged wife, Chandrika Cade, and Smith.

The prosecutor told jurors Creech and Cade had an “unconventional marriage” in which the two “both cheated on each other,” and that it was “essentially a countdown to murder” when Creech “first uttered the threat” in 2010 that he would kill Smith if he continued to see Cade as two of Smith’s sons pleaded for their father’s life after learning about the affair.

The deputy district attorney told jurors Creech was an ex-con free on bail at the time and knew there would be consequences if he beat Smith up and left him somewhere, adding that was a “key reason why he could not leave Gavin Smith alive.”

Creech’s attorney acknowledged her client is a “convicted drug seller” but said he “had to fight for his life” after the man who had “intruded” into his life and marriage approached him outside the Mercedes-Benz with a weapon following a fistfight between the two men inside the sedan.

“In this situation, killing Gavin was lawful,” Nunez said, telling jurors that there was “no intent to kill” and that the “only just verdict” would be to find her client not guilty.

The defense attorney has repeatedly said that Creech made “errors in judgment” after Smith’s death. She told jurors that her client was an ex-con who “panicked” and was scared after he realized Smith was dead.

“He made some really bad mistakes and errors after he had to defend himself,” she said, saying that her client buried Smith in a blanket and then prayed for him.

Creech told the Los Angeles Superior Court jury that he took “full accountability” for failing to call 911 after what he described as mutual combat or to seek help for Smith, who was a member of UCLA’s 1975 NCAA-winning basketball team under Coach John Wooden and had worked for 20th Century Fox for 18 years.

Creech testified that Smith threw the first punch, choked him and tried to gouge out his eye as the two men struggled inside Smith’s car.

The prosecutor countered that Creech’s testimony that he was acting in self-defense is “contrived” and that his claim that Smith came at him wielding a multi-purpose tool in the latter part of the struggle between the two men was “just completely made up by this defendant.”

Creech could face a maximum of life in prison without the possibility of parole if he is convicted of first-degree murder and if jurors find true the special circumstance allegation of murder while lying in wait. The jury can also consider the lesser offenses of second-degree murder, voluntary manslaughter and involuntary manslaughter.

Related Posts

Full Moon Frights at Cinespia: Vampires, Werewolves, and a Night Under the Stars

August 8, 2025

August 8, 2025

Double Feature Coincides With Rare Celestial Triple Event Cinespia invites fans of horror comedy classics will gather under the glow...

Xenomorphs Hit Hollywood: FX Launches Global ‘Alien: Earth’ Hunt Ahead of Series Premiere

August 8, 2025

August 8, 2025

Fans Can Track “Crash-Site” Crates in LA for Instant Prizes, Photo Ops, and Sweepstakes FX is bringing the world of...

Glorya Kaufman, Dance, Arts and Health Philanthropist Who Transformed L.A.’s Landscape, Dies at 95

August 8, 2025

August 8, 2025

From Culver City, Brentwood, UCLA, USC, and Downtown LA, Her Generosity was Legendary Glorya Kaufman, a transformative benefactor to the...

Overnight Lane Closures Set for I-405 Through Sepulveda Pass Next Week

August 7, 2025

August 7, 2025

Caltrans to Close Multiple Northbound and Southbound Lanes Nightly  Caltrans will implement overnight lane closures along Interstate 405 in the...

Levain Bakery Lands in Beverly Hills with Cookies, Swag, and a Sweet Surprise

August 7, 2025

August 7, 2025

Newest Location’s Debut Includes Limited-Edition Flavor, Early-Bird Giveaways Levain Bakery will mark the opening of its newest location in Beverly...

Bistro Blue’s One Night Only Seasonal Menu Pops Up at Little City Farms August 10

August 6, 2025

August 6, 2025

Chef Kara Vorabutr’s Garden Dinner Promises to be a Seasonal Showstopper Bistro Blue, a pop-up concept by Chef Kara Vorabutr,...

Cardinale du Vin’s Weekend Izakaya Pop-Up Blends Thai Flavors and Japanese Dishes

August 6, 2025

August 6, 2025

Three Nights Only: Thai-Japanese Fusion Menu Launched in Pico-Robertson Cardinale du Vin is unveiling a special izakaya-inspired menu this weekend,...

Santa Monica’s Chez Jay Celebrates 66 Years with Retro Bash by the Beach

August 6, 2025

August 6, 2025

Landmark Restaurant Celebrates With Classic Cars, Live Music, Celebrity Lore One of Los Angeles County’s most storied restaurants will mark...

Film Review: Weapons

August 6, 2025

August 6, 2025

By Dolores Quintana You might be asking yourself what the film Weapons is about. Not to worry, writer and director...

Classic Rock Tribute Takes Center Stage at Beverly Hills Summer Series, Concerts on Canon

August 5, 2025

August 5, 2025

Rod Lightning and the Thunderbolts of Love Bring High-Energy Hits to the Stage The City of Beverly Hills continues its...

Trial Date Set for Alleged ‘Ketamine Queen’ in Matthew Perry’s Death

August 5, 2025

August 5, 2025

Woman Accused in Matthew Perry’s Overdose to Face Jury The woman accused of supplying the fatal dose of ketamine that...

DUI Suspect Identified and Charged in Crash That Killed 9-Year-Old, Injured Brother

August 5, 2025

August 5, 2025

RV Driver to Face Serious Felony Charges After Striking Boys Riding E-Scooter The 46-year-old man who was allegedly driving under...

Late-Night Traffic Stop in L.A. Lands Rap Star Soulja Boy Back in Legal Spotlight

August 5, 2025

August 5, 2025

Rapper Taken Into Custody During Early Morning Traffic Stop Rapper Soulja Boy was taken into custody early Sunday after Los...

Deadly Crosswalk Hit and Run in West Adams, Victim Hit Multiple Times and Left to Die

August 4, 2025

August 4, 2025

Police Seek Public Help to Identify Three Drivers Who Struck and Killed a Pedestrian  Detectives with the Los Angeles Police...

Brentwood Bookstore Welcomes a Hollywood Insider and Secret Service Agent for a Night of Noir

August 4, 2025

August 4, 2025

Tinseltown Thrills Meet Real-Life Intrigue With Author of To Live and Die in LA Diesel, A Bookstore will host a...