Death issue before panel----2 charged with killing witness
In Pomona, a prosecutor said Monday that he will meet Dec. 1 with a committee of Los Angeles County deputy district attorneys to decide whether to seek the death penalty against two men charged with murdering a witness in a gang case.
Rodney Coronel Perez and Ramiro Juan Alvarez - alleged Azusa 13 gang members - are accused in the execution-style shooting death in Pomona of 24-year-old Roberta Marie Romero.
Prosecutors said they believe Romero, a former associate of the gang, was killed May 11, 2009, because she testified against Ralph "Swifty" Flores, a high-level gang enforcer who was convicted of 4 murders and sentenced to death.
Perez and Alvarez are scheduled to return to Pomona Superior Court on Jan. 14 to learn whether prosecutors will seek the death penalty.
Deputy District Attorney Ian Phan said the committee has not expressed any preliminary opinions about the death penalty for Perez and Alvarez.
Alvarez's attorney, Arthur Lindars, said that he doesn't believe Alvarez deserves the death penalty.
According to a witness to Romero's killing, Perez committed the shooting while Alvarez had more of a supporting role. Lindars said he doesn't believe Alvarez knew of a plan to kill Romero when he helped Perez contact her.
Besides discussing the possible death penalty for Perez and Alvarez, Judge Tia Fisher and attorneys on Monday discussed several other issues in the case.
Alvarez, 26, asked for a copy of a transcript of the preliminary hearing, which included testimony from police and from a witness to Romero's killing.
Fisher, citing safety concerns, denied Alvarez's request to bring the transcript with him to Men's Central Jail in downtown Los Angeles, where he and Perez are being held without bail.
Perez, 30, told Fisher he wants to act as his own attorney. He's set to return to court on Oct. 29 with his current attorney, Antonio Bestard, for a hearing on his request.
(Source: The Contra Costa Times)
Bookmarks