Capital Murder Charges for Man Who Set Deadly Recording Studio Fire
Photo: Efrem Zimbalist Demery
STUDIO CITY- Two people were killed and two others seriously injured when a fire broke out at a recording studio located in the 3700 block of Cahuenga Boulevard in Studio City on the morning of April 14th.
Authorities quickly found the bodies of Devaughn Carter and Michael Pollard, then located and arrested Efrem Zimbalist Demery (2/20/90) of Los Angeles in South Los Angeles later that day.
aftermath of fire
The Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office announced, “Demery has been charged with five felony counts in case LA088204: two counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder and one count of arson of a structure.”
The fatal fire’s investigation includes discovery conducted by the Los Angeles Police Department’s Robbery-Homicide Division.
The felony complaint presented by Deputy District Attorney Rachel Bowers of the Arson and Explosives Section states that it includes “a special circumstance allegation of multiple murders. Additionally, the charging document contains special allegations that the defendant used an accelerant and committed great bodily injury during the commission of the crime.”
The death penalty or life in state prison without the possibility of parole awaits Demery, if convicted. LACDA is considering whether to seek capital punishment.
During the LA County Superior Court arraignment proceedings, prosecutors asked that Demery be held on no bail.
