Richmond Roundup

Homicide suspect discovered, arrested in cold case DNA hit
There was new news in December concerning two homicides that occurred in the Richmond District, one back in 1991 and one from 2000.

Karen Wong lived in the Outer Richmond District, on 47th Avenue, when she was slain on Feb. 27, 1991. Her brother discovered the body, which was hogtied under a blanket. The 39-year-old woman had been stabbed and raped.

Charges have been levied against Otis Hughes, 56, who spent 17 years in prison on burglary charges before being recently released. Because all prison inmates have a sample of their DNA taken, a match was made when compared to DNA samples discovered at the scene of the crime.

Hughes, who had been working as a carpenter, was arrested and is being held on $2 million bail.

In another high-profile homicide case, Tari Ramirez was sentenced to 16 years to life for killing Claire Tempongko on Oct. 22, 2000.

The case was highlighted in the media because Tempongko tried to get help from domestic violence experts and had gotten a restraining order to keep the suspect away. Despite the efforts of three city agencies, Ramirez was able to slay the 28-year-old woman in a brutal stabbing attack.

Ramirez, 35, fled to Mexico and was on the lam for several years before being discovered and extradited to the United States.

Tempongko's family sued the city for negligence and settled for $500,000 in 2004.

Holocaust Memorial vandalized
An incident in mid-November marked the second time in two months that the Holocaust Memorial in Lincoln Park was vandalized. Black ink markers were used to deface one of the bronze sculptures, a plaque and a nearby bench with swastikas.

The San Francisco Arts Commission assessed the damages at approximately $5,000 to $6,000, and while workers removed most of the visible damage, a specialized sculpture conservator will be brought in to fully restore the memorial originally created by artist George Segal.

The artwork, made up of 11 life-size figures painted white and positioned behind a barbed wire fence, was installed in 1984 to pay tribute and serve as a reminder of the millions of World War II Holocaust victims and survivors.

New exercise class for seniors
Individuals at least 65 and older, who have taken a fall within the last six months or are at risk of falling, are invited to join an exercise class intended to improve balance and strength. Classes are offered twice a week for 12 weeks at Presidio Gate Apartments, 2770 Lombard St., Mondays and Wednesdays from February 2 through April 22, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. For more information and enrollment details, call 422-5270.