State news

Accused killer and kidnapper Jesse James Hollywood is asking the California Supreme Court to remove a prosecutor for cooperating with the makers of a forthcoming film about his case.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Ron Zonen violated the law and rules of professional conduct by allowing the makers of "Alpha Dog" unlimited and unsupervised access to his files, according to a petition filed Friday by attorneys for Hollywood. The film, scheduled for release next month, changes the setting and names of those involved.

Hollywood, 26, is charged with orchestrating the August 2000 kidnapping and murder of 15-year-old Nicholas Markowitz as part of a feud with the victim's half brother over a $1,200 drug debt.

Hollywood's petition seeks to have Zonen and the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office removed from the case.

Zonen has denied any misconduct, and a Superior Court judge and an appeals court have rejected previous requests to have him removed.

Zonen said he cooperated with filmmakers in the hope it would help lead authorities to Hollywood, who was a fugitive for nearly five years until his capture last March in Brazil.

"It was for purposes of locating Jesse Hollywood, who was learning how to surf on a beach in Brazil," said Zonen, who received a screen credit in the film but no money for his cooperation.

Hollywood attorney James Blatt said he has seen the movie and believes it could make it difficult for his client to get a fair trail.

"The film depicts Jesse James Hollywood as a monster, an individual without one social redeeming value," he said.

Four others have been convicted in Markowitz's abduction and slaying, including one person on Death Row who was convicted of firing the fatal shots.

Published: Tuesday, March 7, 2006 18:18 PST