S A N TA M O N I C A
REFLECTING THE CONCERNS OF THE COMMUNITY smmirror.com
July 22 – July 28, 2022 Volume CL, Issue 154
INSIDE
Santa Monica Pain Doctor Settles With Federal Prosecutors for Alleged Kickbacks from Purdue Pharma and Depomed
PAGE 4
Former Navy SEAL Face Life Sentence for Brutal Santa Monica Murder Theo Krah faces 15-to-life in prison following recent jury verdict BY SAM CATANZARO A former Navy SEAL faces up to life in prison for a brutal 2016 murder of a 57-yearold man following a verbal argument near the Santa Monica Pier. According to the Santa Monica Police Department, on June 11, 2016, officers
responded to a call of a man down on the sidewalk in the 1400 block of 5th Street. Officers arrived on the scene and discovered a man with “severe trauma” to the face and head. The victim- 57-year-old Kris Anderson, a UCLA employee–was transported to a local hospital where he died a short time later, according to police. The victim’s identity led SMPD detectives to Theo Krah, who had been in a verbal altercation with the victim one hour earlier near the Santa Monica Pier. During that incident, SMPD officers identified both Anderson and Krah before they went their separate ways. “Detectives were able to link Krah to the murder by surveillance footage which
showed Krah follow the victim from the Pier into the downtown area where he brutally assaulted him,” said SMPD Lieutenant Rudy Flores in a press release. Krah, who was an active Navy Seal at the time, was arrested by SMPD Detectives two days later in Coronado, CA and murder charges were filed with the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office. On July 8, 2022, a jury rendered a guilty verdict to one count of 2nd degree murder against Krah. Krah faces a minimum sentence of 15 years to life in prison for his conviction. Sentencing will take place August 1, 2022 at the Los Angeles Superior Court - Airport Branch.
Theo Krah.
Photo: SMPD
Santa Monica City Council Approves Permanent Outdoor Dining Program Santa Monica Outdoors Parklet Program takes effect October 1, 2022 BY ASHLEY SLOAN Recently Santa Monica City Council approved permanent parklets for outdoor dining and retail. During the pandemic, Santa Monica City Council agreed to a temporary program for local businesses to convert parking spaces into outdoor areas. As a result, over 90 businesses in Santa Monica participated and members of the community overwhelmingly expressed their support. More than 80% of the feedback from residents and visitors were extremely positive about the outdoor areas, conveying they were more likely to go somewhere with the parklets. The new program, approved by Santa Monica City Council June 29, will allow restaurants to permanently keep the extended area and welcome in expanded space. Beginning on October 1st, 2022, the Permanent Parklet Program will charge a $2.12 monthly fee per square foot to cover the cost of maintenance, inspectors, and customer service. In addition, businesses participating will be limited to two parking spaces and must follow new standards by January 1st, 2023. Businesses that want a parklet or already have a permit will need
Photo: Sam Catanzaro
to reapply before September 15th, 2022. Local business, Lula Cocina Mexicana, is happy about the new parklet program. General Manager Chuck Craig stated it is a “win win” and “A great program for the city.” Currently, their restaurant takes up three spaces across the business-front. Although they will need to work out a few obstacles, Craig expressed, it is worth it.
However, there is still a lot of uncertainty with businesses that expanded to outdoor space. Aside from parklets, businesses with parking variances and individual arrangements for private outdoor spaces that are left with uncertainty. O’Brien’s Irish Pub owner Willy conveyed his frustration with the uncertainty. He expressed that the outdoor seating is a
great addition and has welcomed a new influx of customers. Although he would like to upgrade the outdoor amenities to make it nicer, he does not want to make the investment if the program goes away in the future. Santa Monica City Council staff is working to review requests from local businesses for long term use of private outdoor dining.