Trial OKd in slaying case

Hakopian and Grigoryan’s three-month relationship was kept a secret from family members, and only few people knew that they were dating, Gaharmani testified.

Gaharmani warned Hakopian to get a restraining order against Grigoryan, she said.

The following day, Gaharmani and other family members attempted to reach Hakopian by phone, but were unable to do so, she testified.

Gaharmani testified that she learned about her cousin’s death hours later.

“I froze. I was shocked,” she said. “I didn’t believe it.”

Gaharmani rushed out of her home and headed to Hakopian’s home, she testified.

Gaharmani received a call from Grigoryan, who asked her where Hakopian was because she didn’t answer her cellphone, Gaharmani testified.

She told him “Like you don’t know,” she testified.

Gaharmani told Grigoryan that her cousin was dead and he said, “What are you talking about? Are you joking?” she testified.

During her phone conversation with him, she heard a ring-like sound and him ordering cigarettes, Gaharmani said. Grigoryan told her he would call her back, she said.

“He was monotone,” Gaharmani said.

Gaharmani had introduced Hakopian to Grigoryan at Hypnotic, a club and restaurant on Brand Boulevard, she testified. She had known Grigoryan as regular at the club, Gaharmani said.

Grigoryan told her about his past drug and alcohol usage as well as his run-ins with the law, which included spending time in prison, she testified.

“I look at the good in a person,” Gaharmani said. “I don’t like to judge.”

Once Grigoryan and Hakopian started dating, he got Gaharmani a job working as a receptionist at American Armenian Christian Outreach, she testified.

Grigoryan worked as a counselor at the outreach office and advised teenagers about drugs and alcohol use.

 VERONICA ROCHA covers public safety and the courts. She may be reached at (818) 637-3232 or by e-mail at veronica.rocha@ latimes.com.