Exclusive: New Details Emerge On Girlfriend Of Bryan Stow Beating Suspect
LOS ANGELES (CBS) — KCAL 9 News has exclusive information on the girlfriend of Giovanni Ramirez, the main suspect in the brutal beating of Giants fan Bryan Stow.
Las Vegas police arrested Denise Piccione, 26, Wednesday and she pleaded not guilty to three counts ofpossession and trafficking of methamphetamine and possessing a dangerous weapon.
According to authorities, Piccione has a prior record of drugs and prostitution in Nevada.
"It's definitely too premature to gauge what impact, if any, this unfortunate arrest will have on the exoneration of Giovanni Ramirez," said attorney Jose Romero, who is defending Ramirez.
"Denise...is only one of more than a dozen witnesses that we all deem credible, trustworthy, despite unfortunate circumstances including arrest or, perhaps, sickness," said Romero, adding, "...It still doesn't dispute the fact that they were at a certain location, at a certain day, at a certain time."
Los Angeles Police Department Chief Charlie Beck said that Piccione is a person of interest in the attack.
"I don't want to go into the exact nature of the interviews but I would hope that she cooperates," Beck said.
Investigators reportedly could not locate Piccione before her Las Vegas arrest.
Police are still looking for a second males suspect and a female getaway driver.
"We are actively pursuing a number of leads in the case," Beck said in a televised interview after Piccione's arrest. "We still have over 100 clues to work. And when we are done with those clues, we'll make a decision on whether or not he'll be charged."
Beck said investigators would take as long as necessary to follow the case to its conclusion.
"Giovanni Ramirez is still the primary suspect in this case and we are continuing to follow each lead to its conclusion," LAPD Officer Karen Rayner said.
Piccione and Ramirez have not been charged in connection with the attack. Ramirez has been sentenced to 10 months in prison for violating his parole.
Stow, 42, remains in a San Francisco area hospital, recovering from severe brain injuries suffered in the March 31 beating in the Dodger Stadium parking lot.
(©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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.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.)
