Three High Profile Pasadena Cases In Court This Week

This week, three high-profile Pasadena cases will move forward in the Pasadena Courthouse of the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Here’s a profile of each of these cases: 

Wednesday, Aug. 24, 8:30 a.m. Pretrial Hearing for Alex Evans

Alex Edward Evans, 34, of Pasadena, is charged with fatally stabbing his 67-year-old mother in Pasadena on Sept. 24, 2018. He faces one count of murder with an allegation of using a knife as a deadly and dangerous weapon.

A Pasadena police statement said officers that day received a call “from a man stating he killed his mother.” When they arrived on-scene, the officers found the victim, Katrina Evans, lying motionless inside her home. She later died from multiple stab wounds.

Evans faces 26 years to life in state prison if convicted as charged. Bail is scheduled at more than $2 million.

The hearing will be at Dept. C of the Pasadena Courthouse.

Thursday, Aug. 25, 8:30 a.m. Preliminary Hearing for Tanaj Johnson and Joseph Mekhi Knowles

Tanaj Johnson, 22, of Pasadena, and Joseph Mekhi Knowles, 21, of Altadena, are charged with attempted murder and mayhem following a Valentine’s Day shooting in February that seriously injured a 10-year-old boy who was playing in front of his home in Pasadena.

Knowles is also charged with possession of a firearm by a felon.

The two are currently in custody.

This hearing will be at Dept. H of the Pasadena Courthouse.

Friday, Aug. 26, 8:30 a.m. Final Status Conference in lawsuit filed by relatives of Anthony Avalos against Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family

A 10-year-old Lancaster boy, Anthony Avalos, died on June 21, 2018, after arriving at the emergency room with fatal bleeding in his skull. His frail body showed signs of prolonged abuse, and prosecutors alleged he was extensively tortured by his mother and her boyfriend. 

The lawsuit alleges multiple Los Angeles County social workers and a Hathaway-Sycamores counselor failed to properly respond to reports of abuses against Anthony and his siblings. The relatives settled the part of their case against the county for $32 million. 

The hearing will be at Dept. 74 of the County Courthouse, at 111 N. Hill Street, Los Angeles.