By Nina Milligan
Spring 2012 Kaplan Award Winner
JP was one of a kind. He was free to live a life he chose to live and did not care what others think of him. I respect that.
–-Anonymous Apr 17, 2008 12:43 PM
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I knew JP as a customer when I was a floor broker on the NYFE [New York Futures Exchange]. JP was a wild guy to say the least. I’m shocked by the story but not surprised.
RIP JP.
–Brian Cowie | March 21, 2008 at 06:51 PM
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Well… JP was a nice person, but he also had a really interesting shadow… There is always two sides to a coin, I really think JP lived life on the edge.
–San Diego | March 25, 2008 at 07:54 PM
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JP was extremely smart and generous to those he cared for. He was always good to me, but i have witnessed his temper. I am quite sure he drove that woman over the edge, who would figure this to be the out come. please inform any current info.. Is she in jail, in LA..? Any updates on the trial?
—zychic (anonymous) says…May 3, 2008 at 1:29 a.m.
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A few years ago, I came to know JP from on a business level and also had a chance to spend time with him on a personal level. On a business level, JP was as sharp as they come – shrewd, cunning and above all a motivator. As an example of his astute business acumen, in 2004 I remember JP foretelling the pending subprime debacle we are currently experiencing and how Countrywide would be in trouble in a few years because of there loose lending practices. If only I would have listened and bought put options!
JP was blunt (to put it mildly) and challenged you at every corner. Though I hate to admit, in most instances he was right on point…
I often saw a man who deep inside was a generous and caring man to those he loved. I remember eating lunch with him one afternoon after a trip to the casinos. After lunch, he took the cash that he won from the casinos out of his pocket, walked over to the cook, dishwasher and servers handing them hundreds of dollars. In the car, while driving away, he told me the money really didn’t mean much to him, but to the people he gave his money to – it might mean a lot to them. “It could help them pay for their telephone bills or credit cards,” he said. He talked about his humble beginnings and how hard his parents worked. In the end, he helped provide for his parents who he obviously loved. He loved his kids and I could hear the excitement in his voice when he knew they would be visiting.
For those who have negative comments – I too was not blind, but I live by John 8:7, “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.” I agree with the previous posting, no one deserves to die the way he did. May God forgive all of our sins and may JP rest in peace.
–Anonymous Mar 26, 2008 11:41 PM
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To all of you with negative comments. No man is perfect. We all got friends that loves us and others that hates us. Its only sad that when someone dies, that we then speak our minds. Since JP is no longer with us, your negative comments has therefor no purpose. They can only hurt the people that loved him and his childeren. If you dont have any restpect for JP, at least restpect his childeren and his loved once. I was a friend of JP for some time and I know he LOVED his childeren so much. It was not a day in his life, he didnt speak of them. He will always be remembered by the people that loved him.
Condolence to JP friends and famlily.
May GOD watch over your soul JP my dear friend and the angeles watch over your childeren!
You tuched my heart, and I will always remember you!!
Thank you for being a dear friend and being a part of my life!
—vikingprincess (anonymous) says… March 23, 2008 at 7:54 p.m.
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I JUST WANT TO SAY HOW MUCH I MISS YOU.MY HEART IS BROKEN ON A THOUSAND PIECES.J.P.REST IN PEACE.GOD BLESS YOUR CHILDREN AND YOUR FAMILY.YOU WILL ALWAYS BE IN MY HEART AND ON MY MIND.YOU AND THE JUSTICE ARE IN MY PRAYERS!
–yvonne alexandrova | December 24, 2009 at 08:17 AM
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J.P. has not been in my life for many years, but I have never forgotten the times that I was around him. He was taken out of this world in an Awuful way!!! No one deserves that! My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and loved ones! J.P. I wish I would have been able to know you better! My family misses you and our father so much, but we will always remember you!
–Shawn Smith | March 27, 2008 at 11:04 AM
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JP WAS A GREAT FRIEND. HE DID’NT PUT UP WITH BS FROM ANYONE. HE WAS BRUTALLY HONEST TO A FAULT. HE WAS EXTREMELY GENEROUS AND WILL BE MISSED BY MANY.THE MAN WAS THE BRIGHTEST STAR IN THE UNIVERSE. A UNIQUE AND BRILLIANT THINKER.
–Anonymous Mar 22, 2008 08:51 PM
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Jp was one of the most honor man i have ever meet in my live, he became part of my family and the people that servicees him were always happy around him, every year he will come down to dominican and visit us for a month at the Golden Dolphin Villa, Cabrera. DR.
we feel so bad now that we will never see him again.
JP please rest in peace, we will miss you Sir.
Golden Dolphin Villa Staff: Elvyn, Charlie, Richard, Oscar, And Others…
–elvyn arnaud | April 08, 2008 at 05:37 AM
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I met JP in 2007 and I’ve been working for him as an assistant till March 2008. I know him as a bright intelligent person, very fun and smart. I spend a lot of time with JP during past 2 years before his death and I’ve never seen him act like a bad person. … It’s a big loss for me and for all his friends in Russia. Even now after 3 years passed. He was a great man!
–Anonymous Apr 26, 2011 01:00 PM
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J.P. REST IN PEACE… SKI THE HEAVENS, FAST!!!!!!
–tim magill | March 25, 2008 at 01:02 PM
BREAKING NEWS
Jacob Lipson, 51
“Jacob Lipson, a 51-year-old white man, was shot multiple times inside his home in the 9900 block of Durant Drive in Beverly Hills at about 12:05 a.m. Friday, March 14. He was declared dead by paramedics at 12:55 a.m. Authorities said officers with the Beverly Hills Police Department responded to a radio call of shots fired. Upon arrival, officers conducted a search at the home and discovered that Lipson had been shot multiple times with a handgun. An officer saw a woman walking to her car near Santa Monica Boulevard and detained her for questioning. “It turns out she was involved in the incident,” said Lt. Tony Lee of the Beverly Hills Department. Eleonora Iordanova Igova, 30, a white woman and Lipson’s wife, was arrested on suspicion of murder. “It was a good observation on the officer’s part,” said Lee. The motive for the shooting was still unknown.”
–Los Angeles Times, Homicide Report, March 12, 2008 | 3:15 pm
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Restaurateur dies in California
Former resident, Big Tuna co-owner suspected homicide victim
Story by Melinda Dudley
Friday, March 21, 2008
Steamboat Springs — Former Routt County resident and hog farmer Jacob “J.P.” Lipson, 51, died March 14 in California in a suspected homicide. Beverly Hills police have arrested his wife on suspicion of killing him.
Lipson was raised in Steamboat Springs and later lived in South Routt, where he co-owned the former Big Tuna’s restaurant in Oak Creek alongside Karrie and Mark Littman, Bonfiglio Drug owner David Bonfiglio said. Big Tuna’s opened in 1991, when the only other restaurants in Oak Creek were Dinty Moore’s Pizza and Chelsea’s.
The Beverly Hills Police Department responded to a report of shots fired at Lipson’s home in the early morning of March 14, according to a press release. Lipson was treated by paramedics but died at the scene.
Lipson’s wife, 30-year-old Eleonora Igova, was arrested nearby and charged with his murder, Beverly Hills Police Lt. Mark Rosen said. Igova is being held in California on $1 million bail.
BEHIND THE NEWS
I knew JP from Steamboat…maybe 10 years ago. He had exquisite taste, a temper, and got into trouble investing other people’s money and a taste for the nose candy. He was a generous guy to some. For such a short guy, he always had gorgeous women around him. I am curious about his CA digs…looked more like an apt bldg to me than a mansion. Do you have any info about that?
–Anonymous Mar 22, 2008 02:37 PM
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To answer the question about his California address, Durant Drive is a side street off of Santa Monica Blvd. It’s a street filled with apartments and condos. It’s very close to Beverly Hills High School and within walking distance of the main shopping area of Beverly Hills, (Rodeo Drive, Beverly Wilshire etc). A pretty nice area. No mansions but still very nice.
–Mike Mar 22, 2008 08:54 PM
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Hello,
This case is interesting to me and was trying to find more info on it. I found your blog when searching for info.
I live in L.A. and it’s interesting how there was a murder in Beverly Hills yet it has received almost no media attention. Upon my internet searches, I have learned that Jacob “J.P.” Lipson owned a restaurant in Steamboat Springs and raised pigs. But the big news item was that he invested in an adult entertainment site and then sued them. It said he made off with an $820K settlement. This fit with his Beverly Hills address.
I’m curious to know more about this guy and why it seems no one thought highly of him. Also his wife was 20 years younger than him which also is interesting. Any feedback would be appreciated.
–Mike Mar 22, 2008 09:06 AM
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…fact check. JP did not live in Beverly Hills, he rented that apartment for Nora. He lived in a mansion in La Jolla. Nora was a good person for many years but the drugs got the best of her.
fact – i miss the hell of him.
JP ran hard for many years. He lived like no one else I have ever seen. he lived life completely on his own terms…he would not budge an inch for anyone (which caused many an issue). at the end of the day he did it his way and only his way his whole life.
–Anonymous Nov 25, 2008 10:42 AM
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JP invested in Bulgaria.. He was known to many there; His wife Nora and alleged murderer was Bulgarian. Smart and enigmatic guy. Made big money with Tysons, Premium Standard Farms. Liked to credentialize himself with a front page feature that WSJ did on him. Lost out to Smithfield Foods in hog business. Obviously litigious. Seemed to be going through some major mid-life crisis when I met him; he did not seem to know what to do with himself. Liked to talk football. He Q’bd at Steamboat High, if his stories are accruate. Was on US national ski team at one time also. I heard that Nora made bail and is out.
–Anonymous Mar 25, 2008 06:59 AM
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Indeed, he was spending most of his time in Bulgaria in the recent years.
Memorial service is this Friday in La Jolla.
Anonymous Mar 25, 2008 02:22 PM
NEWS ARCHIVES
New Frontier Media To Appeal Claims Liability Case
5 September 2000
Dow Jones News Service
Sam Favate; Dow Jones Newswires
BOULDER, Colo. -(Dow Jones)- New Frontier Media Inc. (NOOF) plans to file post-trial motions and may move for an appeal of a decision that found it liable to J.P. Lipson for claims stemming from a letter of intent.
In a press release Tuesday, New Frontier said a six-person jury found it liable for $10 million for the breach of contract and breach of covenant of good faith and fair dealing claim, $1 million for actual damages and $1 million in punitive damages on claims of fraudulent inducement and concealment.
New Frontier Chairman Mark Kreloff and Executive Vice President Michael Weiner were each found individually liable for an additional $125,000 in compensatory damages and $125,000 in punitive damages.
Lipson originally sought $25 million on his contract and fraud claims, plus punitive damages. New Frontier expects that Lipson will be required to choose between recovery on the fraud and contract claims.
New Frontier said the decision will not affect its services. The company is exploring various financing alternatives to fulfill the terms of the verdict if necessary.
New Frontier is a holding company that operates five adult networks through its Colorado Satellite Broadcasting unit.
-S
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New Frontier Media Settles Lipson Litigation
26 December 2001
Dow Jones News Service
Jason Philyaw; Dow Jones Newswires
BOULDER, Colo. -(Dow Jones)- New Frontier Media Inc. (NOOF) said the District Court in Boulder issued an order confirming the settlement of the company’s lawsuit with J.P. Lipson, and the company agreed to pay Lipson $820,000.
In a press release Wednesday, the holding company said it expects the District Court will vacate the judgment previously entered against the company and two of its officers.
The evidentiary hearing previously scheduled for January to determine whether a major witness for Lipson was paid substantial monies in connection with the witness’ testimony will be canceled, according to New Frontier.
The adult entertainment company said the “settlement essentially is a repayment of the money that Mr. Lipson paid directly to one (its) vendors in October 1998 plus interest on that money, as well as sharing in less than 10% of his trial expenses.”
Company Web site: http://www.noof.com
BREAKING DOWN
Rock of Ridicule-Bottom line- he was a wonderful family member and a supportive friend. If he was less than kind to you, you probably deserved it in some way or another. He wasn’t perfect- and judging by the nature of many of these comments most people aren’t. As a family member, I can’t even begin to describe to you how painful these blogs are. I have little respect for those of you who post negative comments anonymously. His service was filled with many people who are left with a great void in their lives. I can only hope that if a family member of yours was murdered- people would have more compassion with your healing process than many of you have had with ours.
–Anonymous Apr 11, 2008 01:55 PM
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J.P. was my second cousin. I have not seen or heard from him in over 35 years. I do have fond memories of our times together. He was 13 weeks older than me. He actually grew up in Greenwood Lake, NJ and then moved to Steamboat to be on Billy Kids Jr. olympic ski team. That was the last I heard of him. His parents reside in Las Vegas. I always hoped to meet up with him again. I guess that will never happen now.
–Mark Wayne | April 01, 2008 at 10:17 AM
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JP was my boyhood pal in NJ. Haven’t seen him in almost 40 years but it sounds like he remained true to his roots. I always give him the credit for making sure I did not end up a gambleing man. He won every time.
My condolences to all his family and friends.
Jake
–jake mateer Jan 18, 2009 01:46 PM
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JP was wild. I knew him when we were in college with the dirtbags in Boulder, then again when I lived in the boat [Steamboat]. He could get under peoples skin, but he was always good to me. Sorry to see anyone go this way.
—sandymckee (Sandy McKee) says… March 24, 2008 at 7:13 p.m.
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I met JP in 1975. He was always good to me, very generous, and extremely entertaining. I know he burned a lot of bridges and mowed a few people over on his unquenchable quest for the dollar. I remember he dropped out of CU when we were sophomores because he was way smarter than his profs and it bored him to tears. He returned about the time we were taking senior finals with $5M in his pocket and said “What the hell are you guys still doing in this place?” God rest his soul and his family. No one deserves to die the way he did.
–boulderdirtbag | March 26, 2008 at 07:12 PM
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Mr. Lipson was at one time on the Chicago Board of Trade as was his father… Rumor only- his wife’s father may be a member of the Bulgarian mafia.
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…Rumor clearances: Nora was indeed Bulgarian. JP’s father was not on the CBT but JP was. I seriously doubt if he QB’d at Steamboat High, he was borderline a midget. However, he was on the Jr. Olympic Ski Team and was one fast and crazy downhiller until he wrapped his leg around a tree in Aspen going mach 7. His brain was always churning. He was 1/2 Jewish and 1/2 Irish…what a combo. I knew his parents pretty well. They are nice, normal folks but somehow created a monster of a kid. The stories are endless.
God rest his soul and his family. No one deserves to die the way he did.
–Anonymous Mar 26, 2008 07:47 PM
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JP played defensive back for the Steamboat Sailors under coach Harlan Lear. JP epitomized Lear’s pregame chant “you gotta be agile…you gotta be mobile…but most of all you gotta be hostile”. Underneath it all JP was a good guy.
–Anonymous Mar 27, 2008 04:56 PM
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I know JP very well in HS. He was not on the football team.
–Anonymous Mar 27, 2008 04:14 PM
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jp honest? that must have happened after he paid off his witness in the porn lawsuit, and screwed how many people in stmbt [Steamboat] area!!!!!
–Anonymous Apr 3, 2008 01:40 PM
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I remember him. He made millions on his hog farms in Iowa. He moved to Oak Creek and opened up Big Tunas. I remember the Harley over the door and the murals he had painted on the walls!
—aristocat (anonymous) says… March 17, 2008 at 6:54 p.m.
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I knew JP in his pig days. JP did not know a thing about pigs but made a fortune in the pig business. He was a visionary. He was a founder of Premium Standard Farms and of Iowa Select Farms, two extremely large swine production companies. He did not lose out to Smithfield. He got out when the “gettin was good” and the companies he founded are operating successfully today.
Knowing JP like I did I can understand the contradictions in the posts above. JP was a very complex man. He was smart, charismatic, tenacious, fun and generous but there was also a dark side. JP had a temper and he did not like to lose. There is no question he would break the rules if that suited the situation. He was the most narcissistic person I have ever met. He was an absolute wild man when I knew him. He lived his life 100 miles an hour with his hair on fire.
That said, I was sorry to hear about this tragic event and my prayers go out to his family.
–Anonymous Jul 5, 2008 06:21 PM
BREAKING UP
I think JP is a big pig. I know him from his days in Bulgaria. I think Nora is wonderful person, but he couldn’t bye her…I hope everything will be ok for her.
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I am shocked. …
At least I don’t have to worry that he’ll come back into my life. He’s tried to find me so many time for the last 13 years. I can finally relax.
He was incredibly smart and unbelievably manipulative. He didn’t start out as a bad person. Too much money, free time and not having to live by any of the rules ruined him. He was good to me and as soon as he wasn’t, I left him and dissapeared. now I don’t have to worry.
I don’t even know how many children he had but I hope his family thrives in spite of his absence.
—christina (anonymous) says… August 10, 2008 at 12:27 p.m.
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I spent a lot of time with JP from 1990-1996 in La Jolla, CA as his girlfriend. I wish I could say I knew him in all that time. He didn’t know himself any better than I did. I am surprised that his memorial service was held in La Jolla because that was where he and I were so happy together. I know he had another CO girlfriend in a rental to visit with him there but he and I had our own beautiful place down at wind-and-Sea Beach for years. La Jolla was OUR happy place. He had many “cool” friends visit us there. They could not believe I loved and stayed with him. I don’t believe it either. I kept thinking someday… I finally woke up and vanished so he could not track me down (not an easy task) and got on with a fabulous, happy life. I was woried I would run into him again in La Jolla and he would not be able to resist destroying my life. He did not react well to being dumped.. not by women, business partners, acquaintences, etc. At Least I can continue to live in and enjoy La Jolla without fear of running into him and ensuing the inevitable confrontation. I left him before he hurt me and before he sucked me into his bizarre reality. I am sorry I missed showing him what happiness could look like in real life. I did love him, regardless of his shortfalls there was a very good (very well hidden) heart hiding under all that bravado.
–Anonymous Sep 10, 2008 05:22 PM
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I have known J P for many years (NOT HIS EMPLOYEE, JUST A FRIEND)
Never recall mentioning his children. His current wife [Nora] took care of his children when they visited them in La Jolla. I do remember constantly talking about his Russian and eastern European women flings…
Condolences to the widow…
—SanDiego1 (anonymous) says… March 25, 2008 at 9:58 p.m.
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I find a lot of truth and a lot of fiction in the postings I have just read. “JP” was a real a’hole sometimes, but I know he was very much an enigma even to his loved ones. If you think you knew him, you probably didn’t. If you think you could crack the core that was JP, you usually couldn’t. Sometimes he could really make you feel like dirt when he got arrogant. He paid more than once for, shall we say, trying to come up with his own rules in certain situations. He did not die poor or down and out, so that is probably just as he would have wanted it in some way. That, or dying of old age with all of everyone else’s toys.
Love him or hate him — rest in peace.
–Anonymous Jun 20, 2009 02:51 PM
EPILOGUE
What happened to his wife Nora after all?
–Anonymous May 13, 2008 02:10 AM
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has the wife/widow been charged yet?
—oldskoolstmbt (anonymous) says… May 12, 2008 at 10:23 a.m.
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Nora is a great woman and she can’t do somting like this.I know here personally – she is a great friend and she adore the live this is a proof that she is incapable do kill sombody.I knew and J.P. but i can’t say a lot for him – my opinion for him is that he was not such a good guy.
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All of you people need to stop bickering about he said she said get over it. J.P. was MURDERED you can say what you want your intitled to but He never MURDERED anybody like that crazy money hungry bitch he was married to.
–Anonymous Jun 26, 2008 04:00 PM
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My heart goes out to JP’S family.. The incident saddens me. However, there is no need to slander Nora. She is a tough chick and she put up with quite a lot. No one knows what went down in the final hours. And for the record she had MONEY of HER OWN.
–Anonymous Jun 30, 2008 09:21 PM
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One year after the murder… Is there any new about Nora?
–Anonymous Mar 14, 2009 03:46 PM
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On 10/1/09, after 2 days of jury deliberations, Eleonora Igova was found guilty of second degree murder and the special enhancement that she personally discharged a firearm in the commission of the crime.
Her next court appearance is 11/19/09 for a motion for a new trial by the defense, other post trial motions by the defense, and sentencing by the judge.
–Beverly Hills | October 04, 2009 at 06:20 PM
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MY ELOTITO IS INOCCENT………….!!WE ALL NEED HER OUT……..LOVE YOU BABY
–Anonymous Nov 19, 2009 09:24 AMDelete
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any updates? what happend with Nora?
–Anonymous Dec 15, 2009 05:36 PM
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TODAY IS NORAS COURT DAY…I JUST PRAY THAT EVERYTHING WILL GO WELL…..LOVE YOU NORITA!!
–Anonymous Jan 8, 2010 12:42 PMDelete
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For the latest news about Nora, see her new web site at www.freenora.com
–Anonymous May 14, 2010 01:34 PM
http://FreeNora.com
Please Help! Nora was wrongly convicted on October 1, 2009, of Murder in the Second Degree for allegedly shooting and killing her estranged husband, Jacob Patrick “J.P.” Lipson. “J.P.” was shot multiple times, at close range while visiting Nora’s apartment at 9917 1/2 Durant Drive, Beverly Hills, California, on March 14, 2008.
On February 26, 2010, Nora was sentenced to 40 years to Life in prison by Judge Elden Fox of the Beverly Hills Branch of the Los Angeles Superior Court, Case #SA067128.
Editorial Notes:
This story is told by actual blog entries to Steamboat Today blog roll, “For Those Who Knew Him,” the website Otta the Cornfield, blog roll called “Could it Come Around for Us” and the Los Angeles Times, Homicide Report blog roll.
The postings are unchanged except where the correction of a typo was necessary to help the reader.
Editor’s additions, comments or explanations are in [brackets]. These were only provided where necessary to help the reader to follow the story.