Court Rules Prosecutors Overstepped Bounds in Death of Racing Legend Mickey Thompson

AP ^ | April 20, 2004

[nuconvert]

Court Rules Prosecutors Overstepped Bounds in Death of Racing Legend Mickey Thompson

Apr 23, 2004

By Andrew Bridges/ Associated Press Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Prosecutors in Orange County had no authority charging a former business partner of auto racing legend Mickey Thompson in the 1988 deaths of Thompson and his wife, a state appeals court ruled Friday. An attorney for Michael Goodwin said he would seek Goodwin's immediate release following the ruling. Otherwise, Goodwin could be freed when the ruling becomes final in 60 days, barring an appeal.

"The court has said there was utterly no basis to have filed the murder charges in Orange County against Mr. Goodwin," said the attorney, Jeffrey S. Benice.

Orange County maintained it had jurisdiction because part of the planning for the slayings allegedly occurred where Goodwin lived. Los Angeles County, where the killings occurred, has never filed charges.

Goodwin has been held since his 2001 arrest in the slayings of Mickey and Trudy Thompson, who were gunned down outside their home. Witnesses said they were shot by a pair of gunmen who fled on bicycles. Goodwin had pleaded innocent; he faced life in prison without parole if convicted.

Prosecutors alleged Goodwin arranged the deaths after a falling out. Goodwin has said he and Thompson had settled their business dispute.

"We're obviously disappointed in this decision because justice may never be done for Mickey and Trudy Thompson, who were so brutally murdered," said Susan Schroeder, spokeswoman for the Orange County district attorney.

Prosecutors have 30 days to decide whether to appeal to the state Supreme Court. They also could refer the case to the Los Angeles County district attorney's office, or to the state attorney general.

Sandi Gibbons, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles district attorney, said it would be inappropriate to comment until Orange County made a decision.

The defense had alleged Orange County District Attorney Anthony Rackauckas pursued the case because of a professional relationship with Thompson's sister, Collene Campbell.

"That is what criminals do: They kill your loved ones and then try to take down the reputation of your family and the prosecution. It's very painful for all involved," Campbell said from Washington, D.C. "I had a great brother and sister-in-law and it's frustrating to have it keep on."

Thompson was the first person to travel more than 400 mph on land. He also built and drove racing's first slingshot dragster, and set nearly 500 speed and endurance records.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

My set of Mickey Thompson mags went with the '64 442 when I sold it.