Meeting With Alleged Serial Killer 'Surreal,' His Attorney Says

After several days of wrangling and two court orders, the attorney representing a former Marine charged with killing four homeless men in Orange County was allowed his first lengthy visit with his client Friday.

Itzcoatl Ocampo, 23, of Yorba Linda, has been in solitary confinement since his arrest a week ago, cloaked in a protective gown, or "suicide blanket,'' in the medical ward, where he has been monitored around the clock and was to receive a psychiatric evaluation.

Defense attorney Randall Longwith described Friday's meeting with his client as "very surreal.''

"He had this flat affect -- his emotions weren't what you would think they would be at times,'' Longwith said. "I don't know if he was on medication or not, but his eyes were very distanced. I asked him if he knew what was going on and he said he did, but his emotions didn't seem to tell that same story. He definitely didn't understand
where he was.''

Longwith said he spent most of the meeting "trying to establish a rapport,'' rather than discussing the allegations.

At times Ocampo would laugh when nothing really amusing was said, and then a "weird morose sadness'' would wash over him, Longwith said.

Prosecutors have said they expect an insanity plea, although they contend Ocampo is "lucid, calm and intelligent."

Until Friday, Longwith said, jailers had let him speak with his client for a mere 15 seconds, and even that encounter happened only after obtaining a court order.

Jail officials said the hang-up was getting a doctor to sign off on letting Ocampo have visitors.

No one is allowed to see inmates on a medical hold if they are believed to pose a danger to themselves or visitors, said Jim Amormino, spokesman for the Orange County Sheriff's Department, which runs the county jail.

At Wednesday's hearing, Ocampo's arraignment was pushed back to Feb. 17 because Longwith hadn't been able to speak with his client. After the court appearance, he tried again and was once more rebuffed, he said.

Longwith returned to court Thursday to get another order allowing him access to Ocampo, but the hearing was rescheduled for Friday so Orange County Deputy District Attorney Susan Price could attend.

Longwith said Price did not object. And District Attorney Tony Rackauckas said earlier this week he also had no problem with Longwith meeting Ocampo.

Orange County Superior Court Judge Craig Robison issued an order Friday allowing Longwith access to Ocampo, the attorney said.

Deputies told him they would try to let Ocampo's family see him within a few weeks, but Longwith said he would return to court next week to speed up the process.

To read more about the slayings and the case, .

-- City News Service