Wearing an orange jail jumpsuit and restraints on his wrists and ankles, Clifford Marston Morrison sat in the jury box of a Rancho Cucamonga courtroom on Friday, waiting for his case to be called.
With his shoulder-length hair, strong brow and scruffy red beard and moustache, Clifford Morrison catches attention.
A search of the Internet shows Cliff Morrison has done interviews and made appearances as the late rock star's son. Online talkgroups argue the issue.
Lead prosecutor Deputy District Attorney Dinah Touny has heard the
"We have no knowledge as to whether he is, or is not, Jim Morrison's son," Touny said after the court proceedings.
Lennie Lorraine Widen, who identified herself at the courthouse as Morrison's mother, says her son was given a DNA test in 1992. Al Taylor, a former producer and public relations man for Cliff Morrison, claims the estate of Jim Morrison got the results and didn't challenge them.
"The family has never denied it," Taylor said.
Either way, Morrison's purported lineage would likely have little bearing, if any, on his case in West Valley Superior Court.
"He's facing life (in state prison)," Touny said. "He's a third-striker."
Ontario police say Morrison, 42, held up a gas station in the 2200 block of South Haven Avenue on Jan. 4, 2010. He led officers on a car chase that traversed the city, continued onto the 10 Freeway and ended on South Euclid Avenue, according to Sgt. David McBride.
Officers had to conduct two manuevers, which spin the vehicle to get it to stop, say prosecutors. Morrison also tried to ram the vehicle into an officer, Touny said.
While taking him into custody, police used a Taser several times.
Prosecutors charged Morrison with three felony counts - robbery, felony evading and assault with a deadly weapon - and a misdemeanor count of obstructing or resisting arrest.
McBride said Morrison listed his occupation as musician when he was booked into jail.
Morrison's supporters say he's had trouble with alcohol and drugs, but he wouldn't commit the crimes he's accused of.
"He's got a great heart, and he tries to help everybody he can help," Widen said. "Yet, he fights his own demons."
Prosecutors say they want to get Morrison's case moving through the courts.
Defense attorney Angelyn Gates filed two motions to suppress evidence from the vehicle stop and the infield lineup. The court will hear those motions on Oct. 28.
Gates also received court records that she subpoenad from San Antonio Community Hospital. Judge Michael A. Sachs asked the lawyers if a resolution to the case was possible.
"We have had some discussion for a resolution," Gates said. Offers and counter-offers go back and forth, she said.
