Where is Erik Hein?
The name of the young National Guard veteran may sound familiar.
He gave pivotal testimony last year in the murder trial of his colleague at the Armory in Culver City, Sgt. Scott A. Ansman, who walloped JoAnn Crystal Harris to death three years ago yesterday.
Mr. Hein, still a Guardsman, is wanted for an equally crucial stint on the witness stand next month in a civil suit that Ms. Harris’s mother, Martha, has brought against the Guard, the state of California and Mr. Ansman.
The charge is negligence.
Seems nobody — at least the lawyers for Martha Harris — can find Mr. Hein.
Robert McNeil, lead attorney for the petitioner, wants to depose Mr. Hein, not only to review his Ansman trial statements but a few new ones.
Two months ago, he was eager to have his account of events — especially leading up to the fatal date, Friday afternoon, Aug. 24, 2007 — made thoroughly public.
But almost overnight, his contact information dried up when it became known Mrs. Harris was suing the state, as represented by the Attorney General’s office.
Counsel for the state has disclosed Mr. Hein’s mystifying whereabouts to the court, but not to Mrs. Harris’s legal team.
For the second time, Mr. McNeil has subpoenaed Mr. Hein to give a deposition before the court hearing. For the second time, Mr. Hein has remained invisible.
A ruling is scheduled for Sept. 7.
