|
By Olin Ericksen
Staff Writer
May 30 -- Police have released all but one of the
six suspects charged with the attempted murder of a man stabbed
multiple times with a knife near the Santa Monica Pier nearly
two weeks ago, police said Tuesday.
The remaining defendant, Kenneth Scialpi, 21, faces charges
of assault with a deadly weapon with the intent to commit
bodily harm, instead of the original charge of attempted murder
in the May 17 incident, said Lt. Alex Padilla, the Police
Department spokesman.
"It's all in the intent of the crime... and that's why
charges were reduced in his case," Padilla said. "In
this situation we had to take all of them into custody and
then mete the whole thing out."
The victim -- who was stabbed in the torso and back during
a fight with the suspects -- was transported to the hospital
and then later released.
Padilla said the fight took place in the beach parking lot
adjacent to the pier.
"It appears that the victim was involved in a fight with
the group and approached them," Padilla said. “He
then flipped off the subject's hat and a fight ensued
At some point in the fight a knife was allegedly brandished.
After he was stabbed, the victim ran a short distance to the
lobby of the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company restaurant on the pier
and collapsed, Padilla said.
Defendant Kenneth Scialpi and several others believed to be
his friends were visiting Santa Monica from West Covina.
Padilla said there is no indication the fight was gang-related
or that any of the men appeared to be in a gang.
Anyone having information regarding this incident should call
the Robbery/Homicide Detail of the Santa Monica Police Department
at 310.458.8451 or the Watch Commander's Office at 310.458.8427.
Callers who wish to provide anonymous information may also
call the WeTip national hotline at 1.800.78.CRIME (27463).
Callers with information leading to an arrest and conviction
may become eligible for a reward of as much as $1,000.
| 
