Two Codes for Murder

A True Crime Story

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The Crimes

Meet the real criminals who engaged in a true crime of conspiracy, attempted murder, and torture. From Two Codes for Murder, a true crime story about the attempted murder of Charlene Mitleider and the attempted murder and torture of Muaid Alfuraiji.

The Crimes

Charlene Mitleider and Lou Brown, father of Nicole Brown Simpson.

Charlene Mitleider & Lou Brown

"O.J. Simpson's flight down the Los Angeles freeway was the new bride Charlene's introduction into the life of Nicole Brown Simpson who became a fatal victim of the same crime Charlene came to fear. Now ten years later Nicole is at peace and Charlene's agony lives on."

Charlene Mitleider, one of the victims, at the trial of her husband Floyd Mitleider, who was charged with conspiracy and her attempted murder. Next to her is Lou Brown, the father of Nicole Brown Simpson. Brown knew the anguish of crime husband commits against wife. He is happy Charlene has survived what Nicole did not.

Floyd Arnold Mitleider

Floyd Arnold Mitleider was found guilty of the crimes of solicitation, conspiracy and attempted murder. Charlene Mitleider was the victim. She was his wife of less than a year who had filed for dissolution of their marriage after being threatened and abused. Charlene and Floyd had met in St. Louis, hometown to both, moving to San Diego because of Floyd's business venture--a liquor store in the Hillcrest section of town.

Charlene had two daughters from a previous marriage whose welfare was in trouble from the moment they arrived in San Diego, when Floyd mistreated and degraded them. Her actions were a direct result of her concern for her children much more than for herself.

Marvin Keith Brown

Marvin Keith Brown was found guilty of conspiracy and attempted murder of Charlene Mitleider. He joined the conspiracy because of his relationship (brother) to James Smith's live-in girlfriend and his gang ties to Ivan Catlin. Also he was found guilty of torture and attempted murder of Muaid Alfuraiji. Along with James Smith and Ivan Catlin, Marvin participated in the brutal stabbing of Muaid who was roommate to another Iraqi, Imad Aqili, who did have a connection to the crime of murder for hire.

Muaid Alfuraiji, at the trial of
his assailants.

Muaid, an orphan, had served as chauffeur to Saddam Hussein and had sought asylum in the U.S. after the Gulf War. He joined his fellow countryman, Imad, in San Diego not long after his arrival in the U.S. and was trying to make it on his own in a country whose language and customs were basically unfamiliar to him. His recovery from the severe wounds inflicted on him by Marvin and Ivan was lengthy and painful.

Ivan Darnell Catlin (nickname Darney)

Ivan Darnell Catlin was found guilty of the crimes of conspiracy and attempted murder of Charlene Mitleider. Through appeals this verdict was overturned in 2000, since only circumstantial evidence was presented in court. He was also found guilty of the torture and attempted murder of Muaid Alfuraiji. Evidence of the guilt of all three assailants in Muaid's apartment was strong with Muaid's eyewitness testimony. Ivan's prior convictions made the sentences for the latter crime very long.

James Ray Smith, Jr. (nickname "J")

James Ray Smith, Jr. was found guilty of the same crimes as Marvin, and in addition he committed the crime of solicitation in the attempted murder of Charlene Mitleider. In the torture and attempted murder of Muaid Alfuraiji James was convicted because he was armed and urged the other two to do what they "had to do" to the victim.