Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.
Wife of slain Bell Gardens Mayor Daniel Crespo indicted
Lyvette Crespo's attorney Eber Bayona holds a Crespo family photo on October 3, 2014. Lyvette Crespo pleaded not guilty Thursday to a charge of voluntary manslaughter in the shooting death of her husband Daniel Crespo.
(
Erika Aguilar/KPCC
)
Lyvette Crespo, the wife of slain Bell Gardens Mayor Daniel Crespo, pleaded not guilty Thursday to a charge of voluntary manslaughter in the shooting death of her husband last September, the Los Angeles District Attorney announced Thursday.
Lyvette was arraigned Thursday at the Los Angeles County Superior Court and placed in custody. Her bail was set at $150,000.
Crespo, 43, allegedly shot her husband three times in the chest during an altercation in their Bell Gardens apartment on September 30, 2014 "upon a sudden quarrel and heat of passion," according to the indictment.
The couple's 19-year-old son Daniel Crespo, Jr. allegedly was involved in the altercation before Lyvette shot her husband.
At a press conference Thursday, Lyvette's attorney Eber Bayona said "defense of others and the battered-woman syndrome" would be part of her defense, according to The Associated Press.
After the incident in September, Bayona told reporters Lyvette had been a victim of domestic abuse at the hands of Daniel Crespo for years.
Lyvette is set to return to court on May 29 for a pretrial hearing. She faces up to 21 years in state prison if convicted.
Sponsored message
Los Angeles District Attorney Jackie Lacey's office would not comment on Crespo's indictment Thursday.
This story has been updated.
Lyvette Crespo's indictment
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
