Man accused of killing a Marine in Desert Hot Springs to be tried on Dec 5
A Dec. 5 trial date was set today for a reputed gang member accused in the death of a Marine in Desert Hot Springs almost 10 years ago.
Emilio Manuel Avalos, 34, is charged with first-degree murder for the Dec. 19, 2001, death of Marine Cpl. Henry Lozano. Prosecutors said he shot Lozano, 20, in the head twice because he was dating a woman who had been Avalos' girlfriend.
Avalos, who is being held without bail at the county jail in Indio, was arrested in 2006 and faces the death penalty if convicted.
Prosecutors have said the investigation into Lozano's death triggered Operation Falling Sun, which resulted in the arrest of more than 120 gang members and parolees beginning in March 2009.
Then Riverside County District Attorney Rod Pacheco said Lozano's mother brought the case to his attention in 2008, which prompted him to launch an eight-month-long investigation into gangs in Desert Hot Springs. The raid was followed up by an injunction against the West Drive Locos and True Crime Boys gangs.
http://www.mydesert.com/article/2011...yssey=nav|head
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