Judge refuses to dismiss celebrity burglary case in California

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – A judge has refused to dismiss charges against a man accused of burglarizing Paris Hilton’s home, despite a police officer’s paid work on a film about the case.

Superior Court Judge Larry P. Fidler ruled Friday in Los Angeles that the officer’s role on “The Bling Ring” wasn’t outrageous, but called his actions stupid and a gift for defence attorneys.

Roy Lopez Jr. is charged with burglarizing Hilton’s home. Defence attorney David Diamond argued Friday that the $12,500 paid to Officer Brett Goodkin for work on Sofia Coppola’s upcoming film about the case warranted a dismissal.

Fidler disagreed, but he said defence attorneys for three remaining defendants would be allowed to extensively question the officer’s motives and conduct at trial.