LOS ANGELES – A 14-year-old girl and her 21-year-old boyfriend have been charged with murdering the teen’s grandparents, who were found stabbed to death on Monday at their home in Rosemead, the District Attorney’s Family Violence Division announced today.
Sophia Janalisa Cristo (dob 5-18-1996) was charged today as an adult with two counts of murder in an amended criminal complaint (BA 361170) filed by Deputy District Attorney Edwin Wakabayashi, the prosecutor. Roldolfo Lopez (dob 6-14-1989) was charged with the two murders on Wednesday.
The pair is charged with murdering Jack Bezner, 71, and his wife, Susan, 64, at the couple’s Arica Avenue home in Rosemead. The Bezners’ car was missing, authorities said, and was traced to El Paso, where the granddaughter and Lopez were arrested.
The complaint alleges the special circumstance of multiple murder. Only Lopez would be eligible for the death penalty if convicted as charged, however, due to Cristo’s age. Cristo could be sentenced to life without parole if convicted as charged.
A decision on whether to seek the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole for Lopez will not be made by the District Attorney’s office until the case moves closer to trial.
Besides the special circumstance of multiple murder, the complaint alleged both defendants used a knife and inflicted great bodily injury upon the victims.
The charges are contained in a felony complaint for arrest warrant. Authorities said Cristo may be returned to Los Angeles to face arraignment on Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court’s Department 30. If Lopez waives extradition, he could be returned to Los Angeles in a matter of days. If he challenges extradition, the process could take longer.
The investigation is being handled by the Los Angeles Sheriff’s homicide bureau. Both defendants are being held without bail.
Sophia Janalisa Cristo (dob 5-18-1996) was charged today as an adult with two counts of murder in an amended criminal complaint (BA 361170) filed by Deputy District Attorney Edwin Wakabayashi, the prosecutor. Roldolfo Lopez (dob 6-14-1989) was charged with the two murders on Wednesday.
The pair is charged with murdering Jack Bezner, 71, and his wife, Susan, 64, at the couple’s Arica Avenue home in Rosemead. The Bezners’ car was missing, authorities said, and was traced to El Paso, where the granddaughter and Lopez were arrested.
The complaint alleges the special circumstance of multiple murder. Only Lopez would be eligible for the death penalty if convicted as charged, however, due to Cristo’s age. Cristo could be sentenced to life without parole if convicted as charged.
A decision on whether to seek the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole for Lopez will not be made by the District Attorney’s office until the case moves closer to trial.
Besides the special circumstance of multiple murder, the complaint alleged both defendants used a knife and inflicted great bodily injury upon the victims.
The charges are contained in a felony complaint for arrest warrant. Authorities said Cristo may be returned to Los Angeles to face arraignment on Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court’s Department 30. If Lopez waives extradition, he could be returned to Los Angeles in a matter of days. If he challenges extradition, the process could take longer.
The investigation is being handled by the Los Angeles Sheriff’s homicide bureau. Both defendants are being held without bail.
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