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LAPD Stands By Decision To Arrest Ramirez In Giants Fan Beating

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — The day after the main suspect in the brutal beating of San Francisco Giants fan Bryan Stow took a lie detector test LAPD officials said they were certain they've arrested the right man.

LAPD Chief Charlie Beck said defense attorneys had Ramirez take the test to plant a seed of doubt in the public's mind.

"We will present a case for prosecution and we'll do it at a time that's most advantageous for the prosecution," LAPD Chief Charlie Beck said during a press conference Thursday.

Ramirez's head attorney, Anthony Brooklier, spoke to reporters outside Parker Center, where their client was taken for the polygraph test.

 

Although his attorneys wouldn't discuss the results of the test or the types of questions that were asked, they said they remain confident that Ramirez would be absolved.

"We think 100 percent our client is innocent," Brooklier said. "He didn't beat Bryan Stow and he wasn't at Dodgers Stadium. He's never been to Dodgers Stadium and he certainly wasn't at Dodgers Stadium on March 31, 2011 on opening day."

The test marks the second for the 31-year-old suspect who took another lie detector test Tuesday night.

Ramirez has not been charged with the attack, but remains jailed for allegedly violating his parole.

Beck said LAPD will file charges against Ramirez in the not-too-distant future and that they had more evidence than the eyewitnesses they've discussed.

Defense attorney Jose Romero added that the decision on whether to file charges likely won't hinge on the results of the lie-detector test.

"Attaining freedom for Giovanni Ramirez or at least getting a DA reject from the DA's office I don't think is hinging on just pass or failure of a polygraph examination," Romero said. "I think it's a combination of all the evidence that our offices have been able to provide and put on the table. This is just a piece of the puzzle to paint the ultimate picture of freedom for our client."

Ramirez was arrested May 22, in connection with the attack following the Dodgers' victory over the Giants. Police said 42-year-old Stow was attacked solely because he was wearing Giants gear.

(©2011 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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