Stabbing suspect Justin Finizza, who seems to arouse extreme feelings from certain persons in his life, pleaded not guilty this morning at his arraignment at the Airport Courthouse on felony charges of attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon.
Mr. Finizza, 31 years old, is charged with attacking an apparent passerby, one Andrew Wilson, shortly after midnight last March 18, behind two well-known Culver City bars on South Sepulveda Boulevard, the Tattle Tale and the Scarlet Lady. A series of arguments with several persons may have precipitated the stabbing, according to the police report.
Witnesses said a family member of the victim, who suffered a punctured lung and originally was listed in critical condition, ran over the suspect with her car after the stabbing.
Not arrested until a week later, Mr. Finizza is being held in County Jail on $1 million bond.
Characterizing the Suspect
Meanwhile, opposite-thinking persons claiming intimate knowledge of the suspect, of his lifestyle and of his values, have been staging one-way arguments over him through the newspaper.
Since the most recent insider report, on July 17, (“A Person Who Knows St. Patrick’s Stabbing Suspect Says the Story Has Another Side”) presented a negative portrait of Mr. Finizza, the account elicited the following testimony from two un-named persons:
“My colleague and I would like your readers to know that Justin is not a bad guy or dangerous at all.
“In fact, he has been a very dear friend of ours for the last 7, 8 years. We never have seen him in a violent rage. In fact, when he did get frustrated, he would think first before acting. His actions were those of a very mature adult, not one of a crazed person.
“The Justin we know was always polite, caring and would go out of his way to help a friend in need.
It Was up to Him
“He was a devoted son who took care of his mother and took her to every doctor’s appointment . He was with her 24/7 to ensure her days were as comfortable as possible.
“Individuals that we will not mention who were close to him and his mother would not lift a finger to help. Justin did it all.
“He is a very intelligent person, and it is an honor to call him our friend.
“We hope that you will print this as this article reflects the true Justin that has not been portrayed so far in previous articles.
Thank you.”
