Wednesday, August 25, 2010

AARON LEONEL RAIGOZA: Teacher in Huntington Park pleads guilty to first-degree murder of his wife Ana Marie Acosta

ALHAMBRA – Aaron Leonel Raigoza, a teacher at City of Angels School in Huntington Park, and a resident of Alhambra plead guilty today to the first-degree murder of his wife. 

Deputy District Attorney Steven Ipson of the Alhambra Branch Office said Raigoza, 36, admitted an allegation that he personally and intentionally discharged the firearm that killed his wife Ana Maria Acosta, 32.

Raigoza also pleaded guilty to one count of assault with a semiautomatic firearm on a second victim and admitted an allegation of personal use of a firearm.

Alhambra Superior Court Judge Phillip Argento said the defendant would be sentenced on Feb. 22, 2011. Raigoza faces a state prison term of 19 years, plus a consecutive 50 to life.

Two special circumstance allegations – lying in wait and murder for financial gain – are expected to be dismissed at sentencing under the terms of a plea agreement.

Raigoza, who had been tracking the victim using a global positioning system (GPS) device, ambushed her as she sat in her car on Feb. 4, 2008. Acosta was shot five times.

The defendant attacked her within 10 minutes of the victim reporting a child custody issue to Monterey Park police, the prosecutor said. The two were in the process of divorcing.

Raigoza went on to point a gun at a man who ran out of his home, thinking there had been a traffic accident.
The defendant was a teacher at the City of Angels School in Huntington Park, authorities said.
Enhanced by Zemanta

No comments: