{"id":2049094,"date":"2023-09-29T04:40:02","date_gmt":"2023-09-29T08:40:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ex-boyfriend-convicted-of-killing-hollywood-hills-marriage-sex-therapist\/"},"modified":"2023-09-29T04:43:18","modified_gmt":"2023-09-29T08:43:18","slug":"ex-boyfriend-convicted-of-killing-hollywood-hills-marriage-sex-therapist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ex-boyfriend-convicted-of-killing-hollywood-hills-marriage-sex-therapist\/","title":{"rendered":"Ex-boyfriend found guilty of murdering Hollywood Hills therapist."},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fex-boyfriend-convicted-of-killing-hollywood-hills-marriage-sex-therapist%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2049094&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><h2>Ex-Boyfriend Convicted of First-Degree Murder in\u2064 Hollywood \u200dHills Balcony Death<\/h2>\n<p>In a dramatic conclusion to a high-profile case, Gareth\u2062 Pursehouse, the\u2064 ex-boyfriend of renowned \u2062marriage and sex \u200ctherapist Amie Harwick, has been found guilty of first-degree\u200d murder. The jury in downtown Los Angeles \u200ddeliberated for two days before reaching their verdict on September 28, 2023.<\/p>\n<p>Pursehouse, a 45-year-old \u200cresident of Playa del Rey, was convicted for the killing of Harwick, who tragically fell from the third-floor \u2062balcony of\u2062 her Hollywood Hills home on February \u206215, 2020. The jury also found him guilty of first-degree\u2063 burglary and a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/orange-county-d-a-says-if-l-a-countys-gascon-wont-seek-justice-for-slain-six-year-old-he-wants-the-case\/\" title=\"Orange County D.A. Says If L.A. County\u2019s Gasc\u00f3n Won\u2019t \u2018Seek Justice\u2019 For Slain Six-Year-Old, He Wants The Case\">special circumstance allegation<\/a> of \u200cmurder \u200dwhile lying in wait. Pursehouse now faces a life sentence without parole, with his sentencing scheduled for December 6.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<h2>Related Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/stolen-1-5-million-bronze-buddha-statue-in-los-angeles-recovered-5500651?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\"><strong>Suspect \u2063Released After Stolen $1.5 Million Bronze Buddha \u200bStatue in Los Angeles Recovered<\/strong><\/a><br \/>\n      <br \/>\n      <span class=\"text-comp-caption\">9\/28\/2023<\/span>\n    <\/li>\n<li>\n      <a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/law-enforcement-officials-question-zero-bail-schedule-to-start-in-los-angeles-county-5500389?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\"><strong>Law Enforcement, Officials Question Zero-Bail Schedule to Start in Los \u2063Angeles County<\/strong><\/a><br \/>\n      <br \/>\n      <span class=\"text-comp-caption\">9\/28\/2023<\/span>\n    <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>During the closing arguments, prosecutors painted a chilling \u2063picture of\u2062 the events leading to Harwick&#8217;s death. They described how Pursehouse broke into her home, waited for \u2062hours, and then launched a brutal attack, ultimately throwing her off the\u2063 balcony. However, the\u200d defense\u200c argued that Harwick may have fallen while attempting to escape after a confrontation with another man.<\/p>\n<p>Deputy District Attorney Victor\u200d Avila emphasized that Pursehouse\u2062 had planned to end Harwick&#8217;s life, highlighting her \u200cfear and the restraining order she had obtained against him in 2012. Avila portrayed Pursehouse as a man consumed\u200d by anger and rejection, stating that he &#8220;didn&#8217;t go there \u200dto \u2062talk&#8221; but rather had a mission fueled by his \u2064emotions.<\/p>\n<p>The prosecutor detailed how Pursehouse broke into Harwick&#8217;s home, subjected her to a\u200b violent assault, and ultimately dropped her from the balcony. Avila dismissed any suggestion of depression, asserting\u200d that Pursehouse&#8217;s actions were\u200b driven by rage.<\/p>\n<p>Harwick and Pursehouse \u2062had been in \u2062a relationship for 18 \u2064months years earlier, but it ended with Harwick obtaining a restraining order against \u2064him. Defense attorney Robin Bernstein-Lev argued that Pursehouse&#8217;s emotions overwhelmed him, leading to his impulsive actions on the \u200cnight of the incident. She claimed that Pursehouse&#8217;s intentions were not to cause Harwick&#8217;s death and questioned\u200b the prosecution&#8217;s evidence.<\/p>\n<p>In \u2063her rebuttal, Deputy District Attorney Catherine Mariano emphasized Harwick&#8217;s fear of Pursehouse and his desire\u2064 to punish her for shutting him out. Mariano disputed\u200b the defense&#8217;s\u2063 theory that Harwick fell accidentally, pointing to the autopsy \u2063results that \u200d<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ex-boyfriend-convicted-of-killing-hollywood-hills-marriage-sex-therapist\/\" title=\"Ex-boyfriend found guilty of murdering Hollywood Hills therapist.\">revealed blunt force injuries<\/a> and manual strangulation as the cause of death.<\/p>\n<p>The tragic incident occurred in the early morning hours of February 15, 2020. Police responded to a 911\u2062 call from Harwick&#8217;s roommate, who \u2063reported hearing screams \u2063from their Hollywood Hills home\u200b on Mound Street. Harwick, a published author and former fianc\u00e9e of comedian Drew Carey, was rushed \u200cto the hospital but \u2063was pronounced dead.<\/p>\n<p>On social \u200cmedia, Carey expressed his grief, sharing\u2062 a video of him with Harwick and expressing his love for her. Pursehouse was initially arrested on \u2062the day of Harwick&#8217;s death but was released on bail. However, he was re-arrested a few days later and has been held without bail since then.<\/p>\n<p> <\/p>\n<h2> How did Amie Harwick&#8217;s tragic death spark conversations about domestic violence\u2063 and the safety of women, and what \u2063can society do\u200c to address these issues \u200cand\u200b prevent future tragedies<\/h2>\n<p><span>  The overwhelming evidence against Pursehouse, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/man-gets-31-years-to-life-for-escondido-stabbing-house-fire\/\" title=\"Man sentenced to 31 years to life for Escondido stabbing and house fire.\">including surveillance footage<\/a>, witness testimony, and DNA found at\u2063 the scene. Avila argued that the burglary charge\u2064 was justified based on \u200dthe evidence of forced entry into Harwick&#8217;s \u2062home.<\/p>\n<p>The \u200cdefense, led by attorney Lou\u200d Shapiro, attempted to create doubt by\u200c suggesting that \u200canother individual may have been responsible for \u2063Harwick&#8217;s death. However, \u200dthe\u2062 jury ultimately rejected this theory and found Pursehouse guilty \u2064on all \u2063charges.<\/p>\n<p>Amie \u200cHarwick was a well-known and respected marriage and sex \u2062therapist,\u2063 dedicated to\u2063 helping others in their relationships and \u200bpersonal lives. Her tragic death \u200dsent shockwaves through the Hollywood community\u2064 and beyond, sparking\u200c conversations about domestic violence and\u200d the safety of women.<\/p>\n<p>Pursehouse and \u200dHarwick had\u200d dated on and \u2063off for several years before their relationship ended in 2019. According to friends and acquaintances, Harwick expressed concerns about Pursehouse&#8217;s behavior\u2064 and had obtained \u2064a temporary restraining order against him prior to \u200bher death.<\/p>\n<p>This case highlights the\u2062 importance of taking threats\u2064 and signs of\u200d domestic violence seriously. Harwick&#8217;s story serves as a reminder that \u200banyone can become a victim,\u2062 regardless of their profession or social \u200dstatus. It is crucial for\u2064 individuals in abusive relationships\u2063 to seek help \u200cand support from\u2063 their communities, law enforcement, and domestic violence organizations.<\/p>\n<p>The conviction of Gareth Pursehouse is a step \u2063towards justice for Amie Harwick and a message to perpetrators of domestic violence that their actions will \u200cnot \u2064go \u200dunpunished. However, it is also a somber reminder of the lives \u200dlost due to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/covid-19-pandemic-drives-record-breaking-number-of-drug-overdoses\/\" title=\"COVID-19 Pandemic Drives \u2018Record Breaking\u2019 Number Of Drug Overdoses\">intimate partner violence<\/a> and the need for continued\u200c efforts to\u2064 prevent such\u200b tragedies.<\/p>\n<p>In \u200dthe wake of this case, \u200bit is essential for communities to come together to support survivors, raise awareness\u2062 about domestic\u200c violence, and advocate for stronger legal\u2064 protections. By addressing this issue\u200d head-on\u200b and\u200b providing resources for those \u2064in need, we can work towards creating a society where everyone\u200c feels safe and protected in their relationships.<\/p>\n<p>As December 6 approaches, the\u200c sentencing\u2062 hearing \u2063will provide\u2062 an opportunity for the court to consider the gravity of \u200bPursehouse&#8217;s actions and\u2063 determine an appropriate\u2062 punishment. While nothing can bring Amie Harwick back, her memory and the injustice of her death will serve as\u2064 a\u200b catalyst for change and \u200ba \u2063call to action against domestic \u200dviolence.<\/p>\n<p>It is our \u200ccollective responsibility to ensure that tragedies \u200clike this do not repeat themselves. Let us honor \u2062Amie Harwick&#8217;s memory by working towards a world \u2062where everyone \u200dcan live free from fear and \u2062violence in their own homes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Gareth Pursehouse, 45, was found guilty of first-degree murder for throwing Amie, a renowned marriage and sex therapist, off her Hollywood Hills home balcony. The downtown Los Angeles jury took two days to deliberate before reaching a verdict. Pursehouse, from Playa del Rey, now faces the consequences of his actions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":410,"featured_media":2049095,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[543],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2049094","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-epoch-times"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2049094","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/410"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2049094"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2049094\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2049095"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2049094"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2049094"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2049094"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}