July 18, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

Preliminary Hearings on Docket for ‘Scandal’ Actor, Former Boxer

preliminary hearing
The respective preliminary hearings of Columbus Short and Exum Speight are on the docket at the Airport Courthouse (pictured). (Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office)

The preliminary hearings in the respective cases of Scandal actor Columbus Short and former professional heavyweight boxer Exum Speight are on the court docket Monday morning at the Airport Courthouse near LAX.

Short, who is a leading actor on the current television series Scandal, was accused of slugging a man during a fight at a West Los Angeles restaurant mid-March. He is facing one count of felony battery.

The incident took place at Gabe’s Bar and Grill on Sepulveda Boulevard near National Boulevard in Rancho Park. According to news reports, Short was at the venue celebrating a couple’s engagement when he allegedly engaged in an argument with another patron. The victim, reportedly a 37-year-old male, was transported to the hospital after the alleged incident.

If convicted, Short faces up to four years in prison.

In the same Airport Courthouse, the preliminary hearing in the case of a former professional boxer allegedly killing his manager in 1987 is also on the docket.

Speight, whose claim to fame was a 1996 boxing bout against Ukrainian heavyweight boxer Wladimir “Dr. Steelhammer” Klitschko, has been in custody since September 2013, when he was reportedly arrested in connection to the 1987 slaying of his manager.

According to news reports, the arrest was made about 27 years after the 30-year-old Douglas Stumler was found dead in his West Los Angeles apartment because cold case detectives were able to use advanced forensics evidence in 2012 to identify DNA originally collected from Stumler’s body in 1987 as Speight’s.

Though arrested in San Fernando last year, news reports indicated Speight recently held a job working security at a marijuana clinic in Venice Beach.

There is a chance the respective June 9 preliminary hearings in both cases are delayed and rescheduled for another date. WestsideToday.com will update when information on both cases are made available.

Related Posts

Tesla Seen Nearly Crashing into West LA Home After Collision

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

Footage depicted a blue Prius on the road with significant front-end damage A crash involving injuries was reported around 12:30...

DUI Checkpoints to be Conducted Across LA This Weekend

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The LAPD selects checkpoint sites based on data indicating high incidents of impaired driving-related crashes and arrests The Los Angeles...

Mayor Bass Hails National Guard Withdrawal as Victory for Unity

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The Pentagon’s decision to reduce the troop presence follows weeks of legal challenges and public demonstrations Mayor Karen Bass celebrated...

(Video) Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The outpost is a first for the popular influencer Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?...

Dodgers to Host Back to School Bash for Fire-Affected Families

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The free event will offer free groceries, school supplies, outfits, haircuts, medical screenings, and carnival rides The Los Angeles Dodgers...

Hundreds of Red-Legged Frog Tadpoles Released in Santa Monica Mountains

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

Once widespread in California, red-legged frogs vanished from the Santa Monica Mountains by the 1970s Nearly 600 California red-legged frog...

LA Sees Second Straight Year of Homelessness Decline, Leaders Celebrate Progress

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The survey, designed by the University of Southern California, reported a 17.5% drop—the largest two-year decrease on record The Los...

Westwood Village Board to Discuss Public Art Initiative

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

The initiative aims to enhance community pride, boost local business revenue, and address urban blight through public art corridors and...

Beverly Hills Plans Major Apartment Development Near Civic Center

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

The site, currently holding 13 residential units, is slated for demolition to make way for the new development A proposal...

Federal Judge Sides with Santa Monica, Other Local Governments Against Immigration Raids

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete praised the ruling, saying it reaffirmed the city’s commitment to protecting residents from unjust detention...

California Hits Two-Thirds Clean Energy Milestone

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

This year, clean energy has powered the state for an average of seven hours daily, with over 90% of days...

Miami Developer Seeks to Convert Century City Apartment Tower into Condos: REPORT

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

If approved, the property at 10000 Santa Monica Blvd., known as Ten Thousand and built in 2017, would mark the...

Santa Monica Assault Suspect Faces Multiple Charges, Authorities Seek Additional Victims

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

Marbra allegedly assaulted a 52-year-old woman on the Strand in Santa Monica, facing a felony count of assault with intent...

Veterans Tech Group to Launch Los Angeles Chapter with Networking Event

July 14, 2025

July 14, 2025

Founded in San Francisco, VetsInTech operates 20 chapters nationwide and claims more than 60,000 veterans VetsInTech, a national nonprofit that...

Elvis’ TV Legacy in Beverly Hills to be Explored in Upcoming Event

July 13, 2025

July 13, 2025

The session will feature rare clips from the Paley Archive, including Presley’s debut TV appearance, his 1968 Comeback Special, performances...