A police officer accused of trying to kill his estranged wife was behind bars on Thursday after turning himself into the custody of his LAPD colleagues. Patrick Healy reports from Inglewood for the NBC4 News at 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 22, 2014.
A reduced bail level may be sought by a Los Angeles police officer charged with the attempted premeditated murder of his estranged wife during a domestic dispute in Inglewood.
A hearing is scheduled Friday morning for LAPD Officer Jose Robert Figueroa, now being held in a county jail facility in lieu of $2.5 million bail.
Figueroa, 29, was not prepared to enter a plea at his first court appearance Wednesday. His arraignment was continued until June 4.
The three count criminal complaint additionally charges Figueroa with inflicting great bodily injury and making crimnal threats.
"On May 17, Figueroa went to his estranged wife's Inglewood apartment where he threatened to kill her and choked her until she passed out," according to a statement released by the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office. "When she awoke, she was tied up."
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The woman called police, according to the statement. Figueroa later surrendered at LAPD's Newton Station, where he has been assigned.
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The incident occurred during off-duty hours. LAPD has declined comment on Figueroa, other than confirming he has been relieved of duty.
The couple, who have a 6-year-old son, have been separated since last fall, and earlier this year, Figueroa petitioned for divorce, according to Superior Court records obtained by NBC4.
Neither has retained a lawyer in the divorce proceedings, and the wife sought a fee waiver when she filed her response.
“It is further alleged that the threatened crime, on its face and under the circumstances in which it was made, was so unequivocal, unconditional, immediate and specific as to convey to (victim's name) a gravity of purpose and an immediate prospect of execution,” the complaint stated.
