Mother of Slain Victim Moves Forward with Lawsuit

Martha Harris, mother of murdered 29-year-old Joann Harris, can move forward with her wrongful death lawsuit against the state and convicted killer Sgt. Scott Ansman, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Kevin C. Brazile ruled on Friday.

Sgt. Ansman, 37, was convicted on two counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole in September 2009 for beating then- pregnant Harris to death at the California Army National Guard armory in Culver City.

The mother of the victim filed a suit in October 2008 that states that her daughter's death at the armory could have been prevented if officials investigated a claim that the sergeant wanted to kill Harris and her unborn child .

Ansman allegedly believed that the pregnancy would have hurt his military career and marriage. DNA tests later revealed that he was not the father of the child.  

The State Attorney General's office stated that Sgt. Ansman was a federal employee and that the state could not monitor his relationship with the slain woman.

Judge Brazile denied their dismissal motion on Friday.

In August 2007, Harris' body was found in the armory after she was struck approximately six times in the head with a baseball bat. The day she was murdered, Ansman called 911 to report the crime. He was arrested the same day.