Suspect in Beating of John Alle May Get Diversion Instead of Prison

SMPD

Tyler Jordan Keating mug shot, looking thin like most drug addicts

July 23, 2024 - On Friday, Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner Mark Zuckman indicated he would like to recommend a diversion program for the suspect who reportedly attacked local business owner and community activist John Alle in Palisades Park last summer. Alle claims he was taking a short break from work by walking in the park along the ocean-side cliffs on Tuesday, September 19 at around 3 pm when the suspect, Tyler Jordan Keating, demanded his phone and his wallet and then sucker punched him twice. Alle fell to the ground unconscious and the suspect reportedly kicked him in the head 17 times. Alle says his phone's video was on and recorded the suspect saying he would kill him. Paramedics arrived 30 minutes later and transported Alle to Ronald Reagan UCLA Trauma Center.

Alle says the attack resulted in severe injuries requiring two head and jaw surgeries and two major, life-threatening brain surgeries.

Keating, reportedly homeless, had already victimized 16 other innocent people before he attacked Alle.

In court, the People of Los Angeles County were represented by a deputy district attorney Alle described as "nice" but "getting instructions from above."

Alle was told that an attempted homicide charge would be difficult to prove even with the videotaped evidence of the suspect saying he would kill Alle. "They said the Judge would question whether I was kicked 9 times or 17 times while on the ground unconscious," Alle wrote in an email, wondering why 9 times would not be enough to portray homicidal intent.

In addition to the deputy district attorney prosecuting the case, another attorney from the District Attorney's office came to watch the proceedings. However, instead of working to convict the suspect and obtain accountability for the assailant's actions, this monitoring DA representative told Alle he should not speak to the judge and should sit at least three rows back from the front.

Alle, however, said he waved to the judge and asked to speak. Alle then explained to Commissioner Zuckman that Keating had done the same thing 13 times over the last three years in San Diego, San Clemente, Huntington Beach, Santa Monica, Ventura County and Santa Barbara. Keating also had already skipped out on two other diversion programs. Alle added that 66 percent of those sent to diversion never show up and therefore avoid any kind of punishment or rehabilitation.

"He listened but did not like hearing me talk," Alle said of Zuckman, adding, "My DA was not prepared for this judge" and pointing out that "the Public Defender did not even have to say much."

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Commissioner Mark Zuckman's profile photo on LinkedIn

In a case preceding Keating's, Alle witnessed Commissioner Zuckman deal with an illegal immigrant from El Salvador who'd stolen $49,000 from the Versace store in Beverly Hills. The crime was a felony, but Zuckman immediately agreed to reduce it to a misdemeanor and said he would expunge it from her record if she paid it back in two years.

Zuckman's LinkedIn profile lists 22 years of experience with the Public Defender's Office and 16 years as a "Retired Superior Court Commissioner." Currently his profile says he is "Sitting by assignment at Airport Courthouse." Commissioners are appointed by the presiding judge of the Superior Court and do not need to win elections. The current presiding judge is Samantha Jessner. Since they are not elected, Commissioners can be fired at will. Once "retired," they may continue working for the court on an hourly basis.

A new hearing regarding the assault has been set for September 10.

The clothes worn by the suspect in a photo taken in court show that he is currently in custody.