Draft:Jaitsen Jainandun Singh

Grace Singh with her children

The Murders

Singh was put on trial for hiring someone to murder both his wife Grace, and his step-daughter, Daphne. His goal was to collect $1.2 million in life insurance and begin a new life with his new girlfriend.

Grace and Daphne were attacked in their home, in the early morning hours of August 27, 1983. Grace's car was found in Los Angeles. The bodies of both Grace and Daphne were found in the trunk. They had been gagged, beaten, stabbed, and strangled with electrical cords, and killed.

Background

Singh's Marriage and Family

Singh was born in Surinam. His parents were Indian. Grace married Singh in 1967 in Holland. When Singh and Grace was married, Singh stated that he "automatically" adopted Daphne under Dutch law. Grace and Singh also had a son name Surender, who was born in Holland in 1969.

The Insurance

Singh originally purchased a life insurance policy in the amount of $200,000 in 1980 to cover the amount of their mortgage, which was $225,000. Singh later told his insurance agent that he planned to trade his property for a larger property. Singh applied for a $1 million policy. The application was denied by the insurance company because Singh had not yet purchased the property but did offer a policy in the amount of $700,000. The property trade never occurred, and when questioned at trial, Singh could not name any properties he looked at or realtors he dealt with while trying to negotiate the exchange. The insurance agent told Singh it would be best to get $1 million in coverage because of the break provided at that amount. The agent wrote an additional $300,000 policy with another company. All insurance policies were in effect by May 18, 1982. The agent testified at trial that in more than 30 years of selling life insurance policies, the agent had only sold two other $1 million policies before Singh's. Grace also had additional life insurance through work. Grace's stated earnings on the initial life insurance application was $12,000, yet she had life insurance in the amount of $1.2 million.

Singh was a plumber and he was self-employed. When he originally applied for the $200,000 life insurance policy, he listed his income as $24,000. At trial, Singh testified that in 1983, he earned less than $10,000. He was paying $2,400 per year for the policies. Singh claimed that he worked out of his house and kept his tools in his car, yet no records were found anywhere in the house dealing with a plumbing business.

Singh owned rental properties valued between $285,000 and $325,000. His income on those properties was $2,400 per month. The initial life insurance application showed that the rental income was $1,700. At trial, Singh testified that the payments on the properties were $1,335 per month. Singh stated that he offered the apartments for sale or exchange at $265,000. The properties were tied up in litigation in 1981 or 1982 when proposed buyers claimed that Singh backed out of a sale.

Singh's Offer to Marry Maria

Singh asked a man named Johnny to speak to one of Singh's tenants named Maria. Singh wanted a relationship with Maria. Johnny knew she needed money and Singh also knew. Singh asked Johnny to tell Maria that Singh was going to get a lot of money and would buy Maria anything she wanted. Singh gave Johnny money to give Maria. When Maria refused the money, Johnny kept it but did not tell Singh. Singh stated to Johnny and to Maria that he loved he, that he would divorce Grace, and that he would marry her. When Maria rebuffed his advances, Singh evicted Maria for nonpayment of rent.

Singh's Attempts to Obtain Poison

Grace had a friend from work named Elizabeth. Elizabeth and her son Wendell would often visit the Singhs and have them over to the trailer they lived in as well. Wendell had undergone surgery for a brain aneurysm. Wendell also had felony convictions. In 1983, Singh asked Wendell to "take somebody out for him." Wendell told Singh to do it himself. Singh later asked Wendell to get some cyanide, stating that he wanted to "take out" a political figure in South America. Wendell stole some cyanide and gave it to Singh. Wendell later asked Singh to return the cyanide. Wendell's brother had pointed out that Singh could use it on his family. Singh told Wendel that he couldn't return the cyanide because he tried it on a goat, then "flushed" it.

Singh then gave Wendell a list of poisons. The list was handwritten by Singh. The item were identical to a list of poisons found in an encyclopedia in Singh's home. The first poison on the list was botulinus toxin and it was marked with an X. Singh asked Wendell to obtain some of the poison and if he couldn't, to go down the list. At the bottom of the list, Singh had written the words "tasteless, fast-acting, untraceable." Wendell did not respond to Singh's request.

Singh's Relationship with Martha

In June of 1983, Grace traveled to Holland on vacation with the children. While Grace and the children were gone, Singh met a woman named Martha and entered into a relationship with her. From the very first date, he spoke to her about plans for their future with his son and their children. Singh told Martha he would divorce his wife and marry her. The plans did not include Daphne. Singh spent every day with Martha while his family was away. Martha was having financial difficulties and Singh began to provide for her with gifts and by paying bills. Singh assured Martha that she would not have to worry about money anymore.

When his family returned, Singh continued to see Martha. Singh introduced his son to her. Singh continued to tell Martha that he was going to divorce Grace. Singh and his son took trips with Martha and her children. Singh testified at trial that he lied to Grace about a trip, stating that he was going on a trip alone with his son.

While Grace had been in Holland, she bought gold jewelry valued at $2,500 and brought it back with her. Singh showed it to Martha and eventually gave possession of it to her telling her she could wear it and it would become hers when she married Singh.

In August of 1983, Martha told Singh if he loved her and wanted to be with her, he should propose to her. He proposed. On August 19th, Singh, Martha, Martha's brother, and her brother's wife went to a jewelry store where Singh purchased an engagement and wedding ring set for Martha. That evening, they celebrated by having dinner in Chinatown.

The following week, Singh was very nervous. Singh told Martha that he was not happy with the situation at home. Singh told Martha he hated Grace and Daphne because they mistreated Suren and wished them both dead. Singh told Martha that Grace wanted to divorce him. Singh told Martha that "he's not a loser, nobody walks out on him; if anything, he's a winner."

Singh became angry when he found out that Martha was showing off her engagement ring. Singh did not want Grace to find out. Singh eventually told Martha that it didn't matter because "I have ways of shutting people up or I know someone that can do it."

The "Hunting'' Trip

On Friday, August 26, 1983, Singh took his son and his son's friend John on a "hunting trip". The friend was invited late that night. They left the house at 2 a.m. on August 27th. Grace and Daphne were sleeping on the master bedroom. Singh took all of the guns from the house on the trip.

Singh drove the boys to the desert. They stopped about an hour into the trip to eat. Then they stopped on the side of the highway to rest for an hour. They drove a shot distance and stopped again to rest. They drove a while more and stopped to get something to drink.

They did no hunting on this trip. They stopped at a couple of locations for short periods of time. John remembered that he shot his BB gun at some point, but Singh testified at trial that he did not recall any shooting on this trip.

They reached Bakersfield about 4 p.m. on Saturday, August 27th. Singh then decided to return home. On the way home, Singh stopped again to take a nap, then continued home. Singh stated that he noticed a noise coming from the car and slowed down while driving for the rest of the trip. John testified at trial that he didn't hear any noise coming from the car.

Discovery of the "Burglary"

Singh and his son returned home after dropping off John approximately 9 p.m. on August 27, 1983. Singh drove into the garage. Grace's car, a black Monte Carlo, was not in the garage. Singh normally parked his car on the right side of the garage. That night Singh parked near the middle of the garage; it would have been a tight fit, if not impossible for Grace to park in her normal spot on the left side of the garage.

A friend of Daphne, Gary, arrived at the house as Singh and Suren drove up. to the garage. Gary asked Singh if Daphne was home. Singh said he didn't know but would check. Singh entered the house from a door in the garage leading into the house. Singh walked in and took just a few steps before he came back out, saying that something was wrong. Gary did not hear Singh call out to anyone in the house.

Singh took Suren and Gary next door to his neighbor's house. The neighbor, whose name is Al, was a police officer. Albert testified at trial that Singh came to his door and excitedly yelled, "my house, they're gone." The house looked as if it had been burglarized, however, books were stacked, rather than thrown around, nothing was taken, and nothing was broken. There were several valuable items that could have been taken. Al stated that in several hundred burglary investigations, he had never seen a case in which burglars took away the bodies of victims.

A bloody and damaged baseball bat was left in the hallway outside the master bedroom. There was damp blood on the bed where Grace and Daphne were sleeping.

While waiting for the police to arrive, Singh insisted to Al that his son was in danger. When asking Singh why he believed that, Singh became frustrated and smashed a glass dish on the kitchen table.

There was no forced entry into the house. Nothing of value had been taken. Singh told police that the jewelry Grace brought back from Holland and a few thousand dollars in cash from Grace's purse was missing. Singh insisted throughout the investigation that the jewelry and cash was the motive for the burglary. Singh stated this to the police, his neighbor, as well as the insurance agent. Singh never told the police that Martha had the jewelry.

Singh's Conduct After the Killings

When Singh was told that the bodies had been found, Singh specifically stated that he did not want to see the bodies. The identification took place through Department of Motor Vehicles fingerprints.

Singh contacted his insurance agent to tell him of Grace's death after the bodies were found but before the identification took place.

The next day, Singh took Martha to a motel room and had sex with her, explaining to her that this was "his way of mourning."

Suren's friend John testified at trial that in September, Singh talked to him about the police. He told John to "tell the truth" and asked him to remember that John saw Singh lock the door from the garage leading to the house. John stated that he did not see Singh lock the door.

Disappearance of the Gold Jewelry

Singh told Martha not to wear the gold jewelry and that his brother-in-law told the police it was stolen. Singh later told Martha to get rid of the jewelry so he would be able to pass a lie detector test and tell the police he did not know where it was. Meza his the jewelry in the freezer at her brother's house. Martha later told Singh where it was hidden and did not tell anyone else. Martha later discovered that the jewelry was gone.

Raymond Copas

Early in 1983, Singh told his friend Johnny that he was looking for someone "to do a job." Johnny introduced Singh to a man named Raymond Copas. Copas was a heroin user with a long criminal history. Singh offered Copas $10,000 to kill someone.

Singh took Copas to his house. He told Copas that there would be no noise when he entered because he greased the hinges on the door. Singh gave Copas keys to the house and to Grace's car. Singh told Copas that a woman would enter the garage between 5 and 5:15 a.m. on her way to work. Singh explained to Copas that he wanted him to hit her on the head with a baseball bat, to put her in the trunk of the Monte Carlo, and to abandon the car in Palm Springs or Los Angeles. Singh also told Copas "to make it look like a robbery." Copas did not carry out the murder, stating that he wanted to see if Singh would give him money first and that he "wanted to burn him for the money."

The next day, Singh asked Copas why he didn't commit the murder. Copas told Singh that he would do it in his own time. Copas assumed the offer was over because Singh did not contact him about it again.

A couple of months later, Singh paid Copas to beat a man up. Singh promised to pay $1,500 but only paid him $300 at the time. They drove to the man's house, Copas beat the man up with a stick, and they drove away. Copas later tried to contact Singh for the balance of the money several times.

Copas was arrested for being under the influence of heroin on April 3, 1984. Copas admitted to using heroin two or three times a week, Copas asked to talk to Detective Peter Carrillo from the Ontario Police Department. Copas told Carrillo of Singh's plan to hire him to kill Grace. Copas drew a diagram of the Singh house and described the plan to murder Grace.

Singh's Letter to Victor

Johnny's brother Victor, worked for Singh. He collected the rent and mowed the lawn at Singh's properties. After Singh was arrested, Singh's attorney delivered a letter from Singh to Victor. The letter reminded Victor of statements and events relating to Copas. This letter was written after Singh's arrest but before the initial preliminary hearing, showing that Singh had knowledge that Copas was the informant against him.

Singh reminded Victor that Singh was going to give Copas a painting job until Victor warned Singh that Copas was dangerous. He then told Victor that Copas had been blackmailing him ever since. Singh claimed that on one occasion, Copas game to a construction site and threatened to tell Grace that Singh had impregnated Maria. Singh also reminded Victor that Copas had threatened to kill Singh. Singh asked Victor to talk to Singh's lawyer and the defense investigator stating "they are on our side and they are trying to help us." Singh also reassured Victor that his brother Johnny "had nothing to do with this whole thing." Victor took the letter to the police.

Victor testified at trial that he did not tell Singh that Copas was dangerous, that he did not warn Singh about Copas, and denied that Copas had threatened to kill Singh. Copas told Victor that Singh owed him money but Victor did not know what the money was for.

Singh's Conversation with Jo Ellen

The Singh family had a neighbor named Jo Ellen. She also worked with Grace. Singh visited Jo Ellen after the murders to ask if the police had spoken to her. Jo Ellen said yes. Singh told Jo Ellen that she should tell the police that Grace had been nervous about her health before the murders if they asked why Grace was nervous before her death.

Additional Evidence

The police did not find forced entry into the Singh house while investigating the murders. They did find a key on the coffee table in the living room that opened the front door and the deadbolt lock on the master bedroom. Singh could not explain why the key was there.

The police also found a notebook in Singh's nightstand, The notebook had a diagram of the floorplan of the house in the notebook. There were arrows showing a path from the master bedroom to the garage. There was also a rectangle showing the position of Grace's car in the garage. There were marks near the trunk of the car and the glove box, showing where the garage door opener was.

Singh admitted drawing the diagram but could not offer a logical explanation for it. He testified that it was a plan to remodel the house. He claimed there was a plan to move the washer, dryer, and water heater but there were no markings to indicate those items in the drawing. Singh testified that the house burned down in 1978 and Grace wanted those items moved when the house was rebuilt. None of the items were moved when the house was rebuilt. Singh kept half of the $40,000 he collected from the insurance company, using the other half to rebuild the house himself.

Singh's Testimony

Singh gave implausible explanations to counter the evidence against him. He claimed the witnesses against him were either lying or mistaken.

Copas's Trial Testimony About His Criminal History, Pending Criminal Cases, Heroin Use and Motive for Coming Forward

Copas testified as a witness for the prosecution in Singh's original trial.

At trial, Copas testified that he had been convicted of felony drug offenses and had a bad reputation in the community. He admitted having been involved in criminal activity for most of his life. Copas testified that he had used heroin, had been addicted to heroin, and still used heroin on occasions.

Copas stated that he had been stabbed while in county jail because he had testified in the case. Copas was told by a friend that Singh had put a contract our for him. At the time, he was in jail for attempted burglary.

On cross-examination, Copas was not clear on his pending cases. Copas testified that he was arrested in December of 1984 for burglary. He stated that he pled guilty but had not been sentenced because that case had been continued.

Copas denied being under the influence of heroin while testifying. He denied that he was addicted to heroin at the time. He denied using heroin when he contacted the police about Singh and stated that a case against him in April 198 had been dismissed because he was not under the influence.

A police officer named William Kelly impeached Copas with his testimony for being under the influence. Kelly was not sure if Copas admitted being under the influence but testified that Copas admitted using opiates. He also testified that Copas had fresh needle marks.

State Habeas Corpus Proceedings

Singh was granted a writ of Habeas Corpus, concluding that the prosecution's error of failing to disclose evidence of providing Copas benefits in exchange for his testimony was not harmless beyond a reasonable doubt.

The benefits included witness protection, continuation of charges until after the Singh case, and a plea deal for other charges.

Singh was granted a new trial.

Second Trial

Another Hitman

During the second trial, another witness came forward named Marcello. Singh solicited Marcello to murder Grace as well. Singh actually paid Marcello $2,500 to murder Grace. Marcello testified that Singh picked him up at 2:00 a.m. and hid him in the garage but Marcello did not go through with it.

2015 Parole Hearing

On September 4, 2015, a hearing was held to determine Singh's eligibility for parole under California's elderly parole program.

At this hearing, Singh was found to pose an unreasonable risk of danger to society or a threat to public safety. He was found not suitable for parole.

The panel questioned Singh's credibility, efforts at rehabilitation, and truthfulness of his statements. The panel questioned his remorse. The panel found it troubling that Singh made the statement "life goes on" when discussing Grace and Daphne's deaths.

Singh also stated that he was the same person "spiritually and emotionally" as when he lived in the community. The panel reminded Singh that when he was in the community he was convicted of two counts of murder and the law said he was dangerous.

2018 Parole Hearing

A subsequent parole hearing was held on September 5, 2018. Again Singh was found to pose an unreasonable risk to public safety.

His age, the Risk Assessment Report, and lack of rules violations were found as mitigating circumstances. However, they were outweighed by circumstances showing that he was unsuitable. These factors include the commitment offense of double murder, his lack of credibility, lack of progress in rehabilitative efforts, lack of remorse, and lack of insight into the crimes.

2022 Parole Hearing

Another parole hearing was held on April 21, 2022. The panel found that Singh did not pose an unreasonable risk, sustaining an objection from Singh's attorney regarding evidence submitted. Singh's release was pending an investigation. The investigation was to be concluded before his release.

2022 En Banc Hearing

On Tuesday, August 16, 2022, an En Banc Hearing was held.

The decision was made to vacate the April 21st decision to grant parole. A new hearing was to be schedule on the next available calendar.

2023 Parole Hearing

The next hearing was held on January 26, 2023. Singh was found not suitable for parole. The panel did consider confidential information that was added as a result of the investigation.

The panel found a lack of self-awareness, rehabilitation to be incomplete and superficial, Singh's version of the offense implausible. The Commissioner stated that Singh's actions were "cruel, vicious, brutal, deplorable, and it demonstrated an overwhelming sense of greed." The Commissioners also found that since there is no evidence that Singh did anything physically, he could still do the same thing by offering somebody money to commit the crimes.