Manslaughter Ruled in Eye Doctor’s Slaying

A 23-year-old Los Angeles man was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter Friday in the Jan. 19 death of a Newport Beach ophthalmologist who, authorities said, picked the man up for an act of prostitution.

Allen J. Lindsey, an admitted male prostitute, was arrested five days after the doctor was fatally stabbed, when police found him driving the doctor’s Mercedes-Benz in Hollywood.

Lindsey testified that Boonkird Chulapatrcheevin--known as Dr. Chula--took him to his oceanfront duplex in Newport Beach, and that the doctor accused him of trying to steal something. Lindsey said that the doctor then attacked him with a knife while he was in the shower and that the struggle wound up in the bedroom, where Chula fell on the knife by accident.

Chula, 45, was found dead of a single stab wound. A native of Thailand, he had practiced in Santa Ana for 10 years.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Thomas J. Borris argued to jurors that Lindsey’s version “is too incredible to believe.”

After two days of deliberations, the jurors rejected prosecutors’ arguments that Lindsey was guilty of murder. But the involuntary-manslaughter verdict indicated that they believed that Lindsey used excessive force, even if he were defending himself, according to Deputy Public Defender Anthony C. Kies.

Kies said his client still maintains his innocence.

“But he is thankful to the jury; he recognizes that he could have been put away for a very, very long time,” Kies added.

Second-degree murder carries a standard sentence of 15 years to life in prison. Involuntary manslaughter carries a maximum sentence of five years. Lindsey has already served five months in Orange County Jail.