Judge considers blocking other killer defense

A retired Los Angeles police officer has testified in the trial of a veteran LAPD detective charged with the murder of her ex-lover's new wife.

Steven Hooks told jurors Tuesday that the lead detective on the murder case 26 years ago concluded Sherri Rasmussen was killed by two burglars. Hooks said he disagreed, but signed off on the report written by his superior.

Arguments also flew Tuesday about how much jurors could hear about official opinions in the cold case when it occurred.

The judge suggested he may block the defense from exploring other burglaries in the area at the time. He put off ruling but said he would allow Hooks to tell jurors that he believed the killer was woman because of the bite mark on Rasmussen's arm.

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