19-Year-Old Faces $2.02M Bail After Allegedly Stabbing Homeless Man in Beverly Hills

Conoray Lawantara has pleaded not guilty to murder after allegedly stabbing a homeless man during a confrontation in an alley in Beverly Hills, California, on 30 August. The victim was identified as 40-year-old Vanik Voskanyan by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office.

Voskanyan was found suffering from a neck wound after the altercation in the 400 block of North Palm Drive, near Beverly Boulevard. Officers provided emergency aid before the 40-year-old was taken to hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. The Medical Examiner subsequently determined that he died from multiple sharp-force injuries.

Lawantara was charged with one count of murder on 2 September before appearing in court on 3 September, where he pleaded not guilty. The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office confirmed the murder charge, while Beverly Hills police said the incident was being investigated as an isolated occurrence.

Held on $2 Million Bail

The 19-year-old was also injured during the confrontation and was taken to hospital for treatment. He was subsequently released from hospital on 2 September and booked at the Beverly Hills Police Department.

Lawantara was charged with murder by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office on the same day he was released from hospital. His bail was initially reported at $2 million, with later court reporting putting the amount at $2.02 million.

At his 3 September court appearance, Lawantara pleaded not guilty. He surrendered his passport, and the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office said he would be required to wear a GPS ankle monitor if he posted the $2.02 million bail.

Witnesses Speak Out Regarding the Incident

Neighbours said Voskanyan had been searching through rubbish bins on 30 August along the Beverly Hills alley shortly before the fatal incident. Beverly Hills police said the altercation occurred at about 11:39pm, when officers received a report involving two men in the area.

Neighbours said Lawantara confronted Voskanyan before the confrontation became violent. One neighbour questioned why the teenager had followed the man rather than contacting police if he objected to him searching through the rubbish.

'It's odd when he's the one following the unhoused person. I don't think there's anything wrong with a person going through things. If you have a problem, call the cops. You don't have to go after them with a knife,' the neighbour said.

Neighbour Brigette Barbie, who witnessed the aftermath, told the Los Angeles Times that she came outside after hearing moaning and found a man she believed to be homeless bleeding on the ground. 'He was picking through the trash...that's not a reason to murder somebody,' she said.

Police have not publicly confirmed that rummaging through bins was the cause of the confrontation, and the precise sequence of events remains under investigation.

Lawantara Claims Self-Defence

Lawantara has disputed the allegations against him and told police shortly after the incident that he acted in self-defence. He said Voskanyan reached towards his leg and continued coming after him after he produced a knife.

He told officers that he had a 3.9-inch knife and claimed he had been injured during the confrontation, including a stab wound and an injury to his finger that he said had been bitten.

The self-defence account remains Lawantara's claim and has not been established as fact. The murder charge is also an allegation, and Lawantara is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

The investigation remains ongoing, with detectives encouraging anyone with information to contact the Beverly Hills Police Department.

Lawantara's next court date is scheduled for 5 November for a preliminary hearing setting at the Airport Courthouse.