Woman Convicted of 2018 Parking Garage Murder in Rolling Hills Estates
Verdict Reached in Rolling Hills Estates Killing
Cherie Lynnette Townsend, 47, was convicted Thursday of first-degree murder in the stabbing death of 66-year-old Susan Leeds in Rolling Hills Estates, California. A jury of seven women and five men reached the verdict after deliberating for just under one day.
Details of the 2018 Killing
The killing occurred on May 3, 2018, in the parking garage of the Promenade on the Peninsula, located in the 500 block of Deep Valley Drive in Rolling Hills Estates. Leeds, a resident of Rancho Palos Verdes, was attacked in broad daylight while inside her white 2016 Mercedes-Benz SUV, which was parked on the first floor of the garage.
According to testimony from Deputy Medical Examiner Paul Gliniecki, who reviewed the autopsy results, Leeds sustained 17 stab wounds to her neck and upper body. She also had one incise wound on a finger and bruises that indicated she may have attempted to defend herself.
Jury Findings and Sentencing Plans
Jurors found true an allegation that Townsend personally used a knife during the commission of the crime. Townsend is scheduled to return to court for sentencing on January 23 before Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge John J. Lonergan Jr. She faces a potential sentence of 26 years to life in state prison.
Arrests and Investigation Timeline
Townsend was first arrested in May 2018 in connection with Leeds' death. She was released from custody five days later after prosecutors requested that law enforcement conduct further investigation into the crime. At that time, then-Los Angeles County Sheriff Jim McDonnell stated that Townsend's gold-colored 2008 Chevrolet Malibu had been parked on the same floor of the parking garage as Leeds' vehicle. He also said there was still a significant amount of investigative work to be done.
In a statement released after Townsend filed a multimillion-dollar damages claim in October 2018, the sheriff's department described the case as a very complex and active investigation. The department said investigators were still receiving tips from the public, following up on each lead, reevaluating physical and forensic evidence, and coordinating with the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office Major Crimes Unit.
Townsend was re-arrested in August 2023 by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Fugitive Unit. She has remained in custody since that arrest.
Civil Lawsuit and Related Charges
In November 2018, Townsend filed a federal civil lawsuit against Los Angeles County, former Sheriff Jim McDonnell, and the then-mayors of Rolling Hills Estates and Rancho Palos Verdes. The suit alleged false imprisonment, defamation, emotional distress, negligence, and civil rights violations. The lawsuit was dismissed without prejudice shortly after Townsend's 2023 arrest.
Deputy District Attorneys Paul Thompson and Jonathan Chung argued during the criminal case that Townsend killed Leeds during a robbery. A separate robbery charge filed against Townsend in 2023 was dismissed shortly before trial due to the statute of limitations.
Courtroom Arguments
During closing arguments on Wednesday, Deputy District Attorney Jonathan Chung told jurors that all of the evidence pointed to Townsend as the perpetrator. Defense attorney Elizabeth Landgraf told the panel that Townsend did not kill Leeds and stated that she did not know who was responsible for the killing.