L.A. Federal Judge Refuses Pre-Trial Release for Man Who Beat Stow at Dodger Stadium

One of two Rialto men who pleaded guilty to the 2011 beating of San Francisco Giants fan Bryan Stow outside Dodger Stadium was ordered held in federal custody pending trial on firearms charges, with a judge calling him a flight risk and danger to the community.The decision was made Wednesday.

Marvin Norwood is facing federal charges of being a felon in possession of firearms. Investigators serving a search warrant at Norwood's home before he was arrested in July 2011 for the Stow assault allegedly located firearms and live ammunition hidden in an attic.

Despite a recommendation from pre-trial services staff for a bail release, U.S. Magistrate Judge Frederick F. Mumm determined that "no condition or combination of conditions" could ensure Norwood's appearance at future court dates.

A post-indictment arraignment was scheduled for March 13.

Norwood, the judge said, had failed to appear in court in a state case about five years ago and has a history of violent offenses dating back to 2006, including convictions for the Stow beating, felony spousal abuse and disturbing the peace.

Norwood, shackled at the wrists, ankles and waist and wearing white jail clothing, did not speak at the hearing. An imposing man, his neck and arms covered in tattoos, Norwood towered above three other defendants who were also brought to the ninth floor courtroom for detention hearings.

"His lengthy history shows his danger to the community," Assistant U.S. Attorney Max Shiner told the court.

To illustrate the "senseless nature" of the Stow assault, Shiner called to the stand the Los Angeles Police Department detective who investigated the case.

"It was a two-part assault," Detective Barry Telis said, describing Norwood and beating co-defendant Louie Sanchez raining kicks and blows on Stow as he lay unconscious in the stadium parking lot after the Dodgers' opening-day win over the Giants three years ago.

In court Wednesday were Norwood's fiancee, Dorene Sanchez—who is also Louie Sanchez's sister—and his stepfather.

Deputy Federal Public Defender Nadine Hettle asked the judge to allow her client's future wife to sign a $50,000 appearance bond for Norwood, but was turned down.

Hettle argued that Norwood had spent eight months in county jail beyond the two-year sentence he was handed after pleading guilty last week to his part in the Stow beating. Norwood was set to be released before federal authorities took him into custody on the firearms charge the day after the plea and sentencing hearing in state court.

The weapons and ammunition were recovered from the garage attic crawl space at Norwood's home, federal prosecutors said.

The weapons included a Bushmaster assault rifle, with scope and magazine attached; a Marlin semi-automatic rifle; a Mossberg semi-automatic shotgun loaded with five rounds of 12-gauge ammunition; and other handguns and ammo, officials said.

In an interview with police, Norwood allegedly said the guns belonged to Sanchez but he kept them at his house because "Sanchez does not have a place to store the guns," according to an affidavit filed in support of the federal charges.

Federal prosecutors determined that the weapons were in the possession of both defendants and available to both of them. Louie Sanchez, who was sentenced to eight years in state prison for his role in the Stow assault, was also charged in the federal case.

If convicted of the charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm, the two men face up to 10 years each in federal prison, prosecutors said.

—City News Service