Murder Parolee Suspected Of Assault, Domestic Violence

SANTA MONICA, CA — A murder suspect is now facing domestic violence and felony charges from the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office in connection with a suspected assault with a deadly weapon against his wheelchair-bound girlfriend, Santa Monica Police Department announced this week.

Simco Warmsley Morris, Jr., 52, is a murder parolee currently housed at Men's Central Jail in downtown Los Angeles. His bail was set at $160,000.

A woman reported to her friend she was being held against her will March 11 around 7:32 a.m. in the 1400 block of Lincoln Boulevard, according to Lt. Rudy Flores of the Santa Monica Police Department.

The reporting person, who was calling from Los Angeles, told Santa Monica’s Office of Emergency Management call-taker that her friend texted her asking for police assistance because her boyfriend had assaulted her, made threats to kill her and was not allowing her use the telephone, police said.

The victim was confined to a wheelchair and she could not leave the residence.

SMPD’s Crisis Negotiations and SWAT teams also responded and made several attempts to contact both the victim and suspect, with no results.

During the initial investigation, officers learned that Morris was on parole for murder, police said.

"Fearing that the victim was in danger, officers made entry into the unit and contacted him and the victim without incident," police said.

The victim explained she was assaulted by the suspect throughout the night, police said. She was taken to a hospital.

The Los Angeles County’s District Attorney’s Office has charged Morris with one count of assault with a deadly weapon and felony domestic violence.

The Santa Monica Police Department reminds residents that if you are in an emergency where you are unable to call 9-1-1 or communicate verbally, you can contact police, fire, and emergency medical dispatchers by sending a text directly to 911.

"This service is very useful to those who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired and those who need help when an emergency is in progress and the caller is fearful of speaking or cannot speak," police said.

People experiencing domestic violence or knows someone who is are encouraged to contact local law enforcement or Santa Monica’s Domestic Violence Shelter hotline at 310-264-6644.