2nd Trial of Tuffree Set to Begin Today

The second trial of accused murderer Daniel Allan Tuffree is set to begin today with opening statements and testimony by the prosecution’s first witness.

Tuffree, 49, is charged with first-degree murder in the shooting of Simi Valley Police Officer Michael Clark on Aug. 4, 1995.

Clark was one of three officers sent to Tuffree’s house after reports that the former schoolteacher was taking Valium, drinking alcohol and refusing to answer his phone.

Clark was fatally shot by Tuffree after a brief conversation through Tuffree’s kitchen window, during which the officer asked Tuffree to step outside.

At a six-week trial last summer, prosecutors argued that Tuffree hated police and intentionally killed Clark.

Defense attorneys said their client was a troubled man who shot in self-defense after being fired upon by the officer.

A jury deadlocked on the murder charge in October, forcing Superior Court Judge Allan L. Steele to declare a mistrial.

However, the jury convicted Tuffree of attempted murder for shooting at the other officers.

Tuffree is scheduled to be retried on the murder charge.

Last month, he waived his right to a second jury trial in favor of a court trial before Steele.

The decision came after prosecutors agreed to not seek the death penalty.

The absence of a jury means that the case should move faster than the first trial, attorneys said.

Prosecutors plan to call only six witnesses, in contrast to 50 at the first trial.