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Lawyer Arrested in Woman's Slaying 20 Years Ago (GF's Daughter; Wrote Book on Internet Dating)
Los Angeles Times ^ | Ruben Vives

Posted on 10/25/2009 5:57:35 AM PDT by nickcarraway

The man is accused of killing his then-girlfriend's daughter so the girlfriend could obtain custody of a granddaughter. A San Bernardino County sheriff's unit reopened the cold case last year.

A San Diego lawyer who wrote a book on Internet dating was arrested Wednesday for allegedly killing his girlfriend's daughter 20 years ago so the girlfriend could gain custody of her granddaughter.

Eric Fagan, 74, was arrested about 7 a.m. at his Chula Vista home as he was getting ready for his morning jog, said Jodi Miller, a spokeswoman for the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, which made the arrest.

He was being held without bail at the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, Miller said.

He is scheduled to appear in court Friday in Victorville.

The arrest stems from an unsolved homicide that dates back two decades.

Cathy Paternoster, 32, and her partner, Carl Fuerst, 41, were shot Oct. 11, 1989, outside their home in Spring Valley Lake. Although Paternoster's three young daughters were with them at the time, none of the girls was injured, authorities said.

SNIP

The sheriff's cold-case unit reopened the investigation last year. After numerous interviews, investigators came to believe that Fagan had lain in wait for the pair before shooting them and fleeing to Orange County.

Fagan had a long-established relationship with Paternoster's mother, and the couple lived together at one point, authorities said. Investigators believe that Fagan killed Paternoster so that custody of one of her daughters would go to his girlfriend.

SNIP

Fagan is a civil attorney in San Diego and has written various books, including "Cast Your Net, a Step-by-Step Guide to Finding Your Soul Mate on the Internet."

(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...


TOPICS: Books/Literature; Local News; Society
KEYWORDS: crime; murder; sandiego
Calif. attorney pleads not guilty to 1989 murder
1 posted on 10/25/2009 5:57:35 AM PDT by nickcarraway
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To: nickcarraway

Poor Miss Paternoster didn’t have a prayer.


2 posted on 10/25/2009 6:03:21 AM PDT by Lonesome in Massachussets (The People have abdicated our duties; ... and anxiously hope for just two things: bread and circuses)
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To: nickcarraway

“civil attorney”

Is that a “public defender” as in, you have a right to an attorney, if you cannot afford one, one will be appointed by the court?


3 posted on 10/25/2009 6:07:09 AM PDT by Ghost of Philip Marlowe (I'd rather be a teabagger than an ankle-grabber.)
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To: nickcarraway

According to the Hollywood Roman Polanski line of thought , he shouldnt have to serve a day since it happened so long ago.


4 posted on 10/25/2009 6:12:22 AM PDT by Venturer
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To: Ghost of Philip Marlowe
Is that a “public defender”

Exact opposite. A private lawyer who handles matters other than criminal cases.

5 posted on 10/25/2009 7:41:35 AM PDT by Lawgvr1955 (You can never have too much cowbell !!)
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To: Lawgvr1955

Ah. That makes sense. I thought it was Orwellian Newspeak. Thanks for the clarification.


6 posted on 10/25/2009 7:54:24 AM PDT by Ghost of Philip Marlowe (I'd rather be a teabagger than an ankle-grabber.)
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To: Lonesome in Massachussets

I wonder how many here will get that.


7 posted on 10/25/2009 7:58:20 AM PDT by B Knotts (Calvin Coolidge Republican)
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To: B Knotts

Just delivering us from evil.


8 posted on 10/25/2009 9:45:40 AM PDT by bitterohiogunclinger (America held hostage - day 163)
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To: Venturer
According to the Hollywood Roman Polanski line of thought , he shouldnt have to serve a day since it happened so long ago.

By my calculation, he might have to serve High Tea.

9 posted on 10/25/2009 10:07:10 AM PDT by Erasmus (So, people call me a smartass. "I'm not smart," I protest.)
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To: nickcarraway; AdmSmith; Berosus; bigheadfred; Convert from ECUSA; dervish; Ernest_at_the_Beach; ...
A San Diego lawyer who wrote a book on Internet dating was arrested Wednesday for allegedly killing his girlfriend's daughter 20 years ago so the girlfriend could gain custody of her granddaughter... Eric Fagan, 74, was arrested about 7 a.m. at his Chula Vista home as he was getting ready for his morning jog... held without bail at the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga.. Cathy Paternoster, 32, and her partner, Carl Fuerst, 41, were shot Oct. 11, 1989, outside their home in Spring Valley Lake... After numerous interviews, investigators came to believe that Fagan had lain in wait for the pair before shooting them and fleeing to Orange County... Fagan is a civil attorney in San Diego and has written various books, including "Cast Your Net, a Step-by-Step Guide to Finding Your Soul Mate on the Internet."
He's a civil attorney? Wow. What are the uncivil attorneys like?
10 posted on 10/25/2009 4:03:22 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/__Since Jan 3, 2004__Profile updated Monday, January 12, 2009)
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To: B Knotts
I'm sure she could use a lift
11 posted on 10/26/2009 9:11:31 AM PDT by Lonesome in Massachussets (The People have abdicated our duties; ... and anxiously hope for just two things: bread and circuses)
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To: B Knotts
try again: I'm sure she could use a lift.
12 posted on 10/26/2009 9:13:45 AM PDT by Lonesome in Massachussets (The People have abdicated our duties; ... and anxiously hope for just two things: bread and circuses)
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To: Venturer
According to the Hollywood Roman Polanski line of thought , he shouldnt have to serve a day since it happened so long ago.

According to Whoopi it wasn't murder-murder either.

13 posted on 10/26/2009 9:17:20 AM PDT by Moonman62 (The issue of whether cheap labor makes America great should have been settled by the Civil War.)
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