The prosecution added three new vandalism charges Wednesday against a man accused of using a chainsaw to cut down numerous trees on city property -- primarily in downtown Los Angeles -- as a hearing began to determine if there is enough evidence for the case against him to proceed to trial.
Deputy District Attorney Cynthia Valenzuela told Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge George G. Lomeli that the latest three charges against Samuel Patrick Groft, 44, involve five trees that were cut between April 13 and April 19. He was already facing eight felony vandalism counts involving other trees damaged during roughly the same time period.
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Los Angeles Police Detective Ryan Watterson -- who said he was investigating a tip regarding a tree being vandalized on the afternoon of April 13 on the east side of Avenue 26 near Figueroa Street -- testified that he determined a chainsaw seen on surveillance video footage was sold exclusively by Harbor Freight. He noted that surveillance video footage from the store showed the suspect paying for the chainsaw at the nearby Harbor Freight store and that Groft's name was on a receipt that day from the store.
LAPD Detective Roberto Gutierrez testified that he was told by a woman that three expensive juniper trees were cut down April 14 in front of her business in the 700 block of West Temple Street. He said the woman provided surveillance video footage showing the suspect holding a chainsaw and cutting down trees while wearing black gloves.
LAPD Officer Manuel Rojas told the judge he responded April 19 to a call about damaged trees at 350 S. Grand Ave. and "saw three trees cut down and laying on the street." He said video surveillance footage showed a suspect approaching with something in his hand, the suspect moving away and a tree falling. The officer testified that he subsequently saw another tree cut down further south on Grand Avenue along with an additional one on Hope Street just south of Ninth Street
He said all of the trees were cut down in the same manner.
Another officer testified that he responded to a report of a tree that was vandalized April 17 in the 500 block of North Broadway, saying the tree had been cut in half.
The hearing is expected to wrap up Thursday, with the judge expected to hear testimony about the value of the trees before deciding whether Groft should stand trial on the 11 charges.
Groft was arrested April 22 by Los Angeles police in the area of Custer Avenue and Sunset Boulevard, adjacent to the Hollywood (101) Freeway and Arroyo Seco (110) Parkway, in downtown Los Angeles, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. He has remained behind bars since then.
At his first court appearance last month, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Theresa R. McGonigle denied Groft's request to be released on his own recognizance. She noted that he has an "extensive criminal record."
"What took years to grow only took minutes to destroy," District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in a statement after the case was filed last month. "Trees not only provide shade and comfort but nourish those who live and work in our communities. Selfish and senseless acts that strip away a vital piece of our ecosystem are profoundly disturbing and my office will prosecute anyone who engages in such criminal conduct to the fullest extent of the law."
City Councilwoman Ysabel Jurado, who represents downtown neighborhoods, highlighted how residents came together in the aftermath of what she described as a "random act of violence."
"Thanks to the generosity of various community organizations and community members that have reached out ... we're replacing the trees two to one," Jurado said.
LA Conservation Corps and North East Trees will donate new trees, she said.
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