A former Los Angeles police detective, currently serving a 27-year to life sentence for the cold-case murder of her ex-boyfriend’s wife in 1986, had her chance for parole delayed this week.
During Monday’s hearing, Rasmussen’s sisters and widower delivered heartfelt testimony, expressing their anguish and depicting Lazarus as a deceitful criminal who manipulated her police training to conceal the murder.
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During the board meeting, Ruetten expressed his skepticism regarding Lazarus’ remorse. Referring to her as “the inmate,” he argued that she had engaged in cunning deception and only confessed to the crime during a hearing last year as a means to secure parole.
Ruetten, his voice filled with tears, expressed his belief that she fails to fully grasp the extensive pain and suffering she has inflicted.
Erin Runions, a college professor who co-facilitates a writing workshop for incarcerated individuals at the California Institution for Women, spoke on behalf of Lazarus. She highlighted Lazarus’ remarkable journey of spiritual growth and determination to attain advanced degrees while serving her sentence. This demonstrated Lazarus’ readiness to reintegrate into society, find employment, and make meaningful contributions to the community upon release.
Lazarus was absent from the board meeting on Monday.
During her trial 12 years ago, prosecutors placed heavy emphasis on the romantic relationship between Lazarus and Ruetten following their college graduation. They argued that Lazarus became consumed with jealousy when Ruetten made the decision to marry Rasmussen.
In May 2009, undercover officers successfully tracked Lazarus and managed to obtain a sample of her saliva. This sample was then compared with the DNA found at the initial crime scene. Despite the previous lack of suspects, this significant breakthrough breathed new life into the case.
In 1986, DNA wasn’t utilized as a forensic tool, so it was inconceivable to think that saliva from a bite mark could potentially incriminate Lazarus. The prosecution pointed out that Lazarus was aware of the importance of avoiding other incriminating evidence, such as fingerprints.
Lazarus climbed the ranks within the Los Angeles Police Department, eventually assuming the role of a detective overseeing cases involving art forgeries and thefts.
