Flashback Fridays – Timothy Fonseca

This story can not really be considered Echo Park history as it is still not over. Timothy Fonseca was convicted and is still serving a 35 years to life sentence for murder based on shaky evidence. But I wanted to post something about him, and this seemed like the best way to do it.

On April 23rd, 1995 at about 4:00 am, Arthur Mayer was coming back from a party with his wife, Roxana, when he stopped to buy cigarettes at the Mobil Station on Scott and Glendale. While he was walking back to the car, Mayer was shot and killed. Roxana would later state that the shot was fired by a man standing at the 1900 block of Scott Ave. She identified Fonseca in a police lineup as the shooter. This is pretty much the only evidence the police had with which to convict Fonseca. However, Roxana had identified a different man in an earlier lineup as the shooter and even admitted that he and Fonseca looked very much alike. Also, the 1900 block of Scott Avenue (where the shooter was standing) is about 300 yards away from where Roxana was sitting in the car. That’s a big distance from which to make an identification, especially when it’s dark outside. Her story also changed several times. Details that varied included the number of shooters, where they were standing and what kind of firearms they were brandishing.

Another piece of evidence was the testimony of a young Echo Park gang member who said that on the day of shooting he had seen a gang member named Sniper carrying an AK-47. He later said that “Sniper” was Tim Fonseca. When the case went to trial, the young man recanted everything he had said stating that the police officers had threatened him into making an identification. Furthermore, he did not even witness the crime.

There was never any physical evidence linking Tim Fonseca to the murder. A possible murder weapon (an SKS rifle) was found behind a house on Scott Ave. There were prints on the weapon, but they were not Tim Fonseca’s.

Tim has been in prison for fifteen years and still proclaims his innocence. He says that he was in San Bernardino on the night of the shooting. Tim’s wife, Lynn, is still fighting to free her husband. Ironically, she used to work for the Indio and Palm Springs Police Departments. His case has gained the interest of high-profile legal organizations such as the Innocence Project. In 2008, he was also written about in the AIDWC (Association in Defense of the Wrongly Convicted) Journal (the article is in the Spring 2008 issue). Check out Tim’s website if you’re interested in learning more.

1278 replies
« Older CommentsNewer Comments »
  1. salmon recipe says:

    Hi my family member! I wish to say that this post is amazing, nice written and include approximately all vital infos. I¡¦d like to see extra posts like this .

  2. football  says:

    Hi there, just became alert to your blog through Google, and found that it’s really informative. I’m going to watch out for brussels. I’ll be grateful if you continue this in future. Many people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!

  3. dinner recipes says:

    I cling on to listening to the news bulletin speak about getting boundless online grant applications so I have been looking around for the finest site to get one. Could you advise me please, where could i find some?

  4. Ambrose Ritell says:

    The video card (often referred to as the GPU) is one more significant element in any gaming rig, as it handles just about all of the graphics for your online games. A person of the difficulties with movie cards – especially the middle and low conclusion ones – is that they tend to turn out to be obsolete quicker than the other elements of a gaming computer system. Usually, getting a substantial stop video card when you’re upgrading or constructing your gaming rig is vital as it gives you breathing area in advance of it is time to upgrade once more.

  5. Banco Paulista SA says:

    With havin so much written content do you ever run into any problems of plagorism or copyright infringement?

    My blog has a lot of completely unique content I’ve either written myself or outsourced but
    it seems a lot of it is popping it up all over the web without my authorization. Do you
    know any techniques to help stop content from being ripped off?
    I’d truly appreciate it.

  6. Alvaro Augusto Vidigal says:

    Undeniably imagine that which you said. Your favorite justification appeared to be at the internet the
    easiest factor to be mindful of. I say to you, I definitely get irked at the same
    time as folks consider issues that they plainly don’t recognize about.
    You managed to hit the nail upon the highest and
    outlined out the whole thing without having side-effects , other folks
    can take a signal. Will probably be again to get
    more. Thanks

  7. Banco Paulista SA says:

    It’s the best time to make some plans for the long run and it is time to be happy.

    I’ve learn this post and if I may I desire to
    suggest you few fascinating issues or tips.
    Perhaps you could write subsequent articles regarding this
    article. I wish to learn even more issues about it!

  8. Socopa Corretora says:

    Nice post. I was checking continuously this blog and I am inspired!
    Extremely helpful info particularly the ultimate section :
    ) I take care of such info much. I was seeking this certain information for a long time.

    Thank you and good luck.

  9. Alvaro Augusto Vidigal says:

    Can I simply say what a relief to find a person that truly understands what they’re talking about on the web.
    You certainly realize how to bring a problem to
    light and make it important. A lot more people really need to check this out and understand this side of
    the story. It’s surprising you’re not more popular given that you most certainly
    have the gift.

  10. Banco Paulista SA says:

    Usually I don’t read post on blogs, but I would like to say that this write-up very pressured me to take
    a look at and do it! Your writing taste has been amazed me.
    Thank you, very great article.

  11. Maria Elisabeth Bettamio Vivone says:

    With havin so much written content do you ever run into any problems of plagorism
    or copyright violation? My site has a lot of exclusive content I’ve
    either written myself or outsourced but it seems a lot of it is popping it up
    all over the internet without my authorization. Do you know any solutions to help
    stop content from being stolen? I’d really appreciate it.

  12. Socopa Corretora says:

    I was recommended this blog by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is
    written by him as no one else know such detailed about my problem.
    You are amazing! Thanks!

  13. Alvaro Augusto Vidigal says:

    Its such as you read my mind! You seem to grasp so much about this, such
    as you wrote the ebook in it or something. I think that you just can do
    with some p.c. to pressure the message home a little bit, but other than that, this is wonderful blog.

    A great read. I will definitely be back.

  14. Alvaro Augusto Vidigal says:

    Great post. I was checking constantly this blog and I’m impressed!
    Extremely useful info particularly the last part 🙂 I take care
    of such info much. I was looking for this particular information for a very long time.
    Thank you and best of luck.

  15. Socopa Corretora says:

    My spouse and I stumbled over here by a different page and thought
    I might as well check things out. I like what I see so i
    am just following you. Look forward to checking out your web page for a second time.

  16. planetalts says:

    After examine a couple of of the blog posts on your website now, and I actually like your method of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark web site list and shall be checking again soon. Pls take a look at my website as well and let me know what you think.

  17. Mel Lichtig says:

    The paragraph is worth to examine. The clarity as well as structure that shines from this internet site post. Now-a-days blogs are used in each in addition to every field. The information that we recieve from them are unevitable. The attribute required is the power of creativity within itself through learning, thinking, creating along with rigorous learning. Therefore the internet site post is immensely helpful for the readers. Thank you a lot for writing form a magnificent editorial. I will wait for your next editorial with grand egarness.

  18. Thomas Abbinanti says:

    Excellent blog here! Also your site loads up very fast! What host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my site loaded up as fast as yours lol xrumer

  19. Nguyet Holgerson says:

    Hello, you used to write great, but the last several posts have been kinda boring¡K I miss your super writings. Past several posts are just a little bit out of track! come on! Pristina Hotels

  20. Elva Lalanne says:

    Spot lets start on this write-up, I seriously believe this site needs far more consideration. I’ll more likely again to read a lot more, many thanks that information.

  21. Germaine Gordin says:

    An fascinating discussion will be worth comment. I do think that you should write on this topic, it might not often be a taboo subject but generally persons are insufficient to talk on such topics. To the next. Cheers

  22. Kristopher Vanuden says:

    I discovered your blog web site on google and check a few of your early posts. Proceed to keep up the excellent operate. I just additional up your RSS feed to my MSN News Reader. Looking for ahead to studying extra from you later on!…

  23. Vacation says:

    I would like to show some appreciation to you just for bailing me out of this particular predicament. After surfing around through the online world and getting views that were not powerful, I believed my life was well over. Existing devoid of the strategies to the difficulties you have solved as a result of your main article content is a serious case, as well as the kind which might have badly affected my entire career if I had not discovered your site. Your own personal expertise and kindness in taking care of a lot of things was tremendous. I am not sure what I would have done if I had not come across such a thing like this. I can also at this moment look forward to my future. Thank you very much for your expert and results-oriented help. I will not hesitate to endorse the blog to anybody who would need assistance on this area.

  24. Hotels says:

    We’re a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community. Your web site offered us with valuable info to work on. You have done a formidable job and our whole community will be thankful to you.

  25. bathroom remodel says:

    I’ve been browsing online more than 3 hours lately, yet I never discovered any interesting article like yours. It¡¦s pretty worth sufficient for me. Personally, if all site owners and bloggers made excellent content material as you did, the net can be much more useful than ever before.

  26. criminal law says:

    Great ¡V I should certainly pronounce, impressed with your website. I had no trouble navigating through all the tabs as well as related information ended up being truly simple to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it in the least. Quite unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or something, site theme . a tones way for your client to communicate. Excellent task..

  27. alternative medicine says:

    obviously like your web site but you need to test the spelling on quite a few of your posts. A number of them are rife with spelling problems and I to find it very troublesome to inform the truth on the other hand I¡¦ll certainly come back again.

  28. Vita Novitski says:

    You’re the best, I was doing a google search and your site came up for real estate in Longwood, FL but anyway, I have had a pleasant time reading it, keep it up!

  29. Eddie Teto says:

    Nice post. I learn something more difficult on various blogs everyday. It will always be stimulating to read content off their writers and practice a little something there. I’d opt to use some with the content in my small weblog whether you do not mind. Natually I’ll supply you with a link on your web blog. Many thanks sharing.

« Older CommentsNewer Comments »

Comments are closed.