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By Olin Ericksen
Staff Writer
May 3 -- Facing two counts of murder, eight counts
of attempted murder and an assault charge, Jose Zapien, 18,
will stand before a judge May 11 for the first time since
his arrest two months ago in connection with the alleged shooting
deaths a year apart of two local youths.
In addition to Zapien, John Carrillo, 19, is scheduled to
appear on two charges of attempted murder. The final adult
defendant, Noah Farris, 26, faces an assault charge, according
to the District Attorney's office.
All are West Los Angeles residents and alleged gang members
rounded up during a series of arrests resulting from a joint-task
force investigation by the Santa Monica and Los Angeles Police
Departments in February. (see
story)
According to statements by police after the highly publicized
arrests, the 5'11", 240 pound Zapien was the trigger
man in two murders that rocked Santa Monica.
Miguel Martin was allegedly shot running from his attacker
in late December, only two weeks after Santa Monica hired
a new Chief of Police.
Nearly a year earlier, in February 2006, 15-year-old Eddie
Lopez was killed only a few blocks west of where Martin was
shot on Pico Boulevard.
Police say Zapien is a member of a West Los Angeles gang
that committed several shootings and other crimes in and around
Santa Monica over the past two years.
Although police arrested eight suspects in connection with
the murders – including three underage minors –
only Zapien, Carrillo and Farris will face charges, although
the "gang conspiracy" charges originally filed have
since been dropped.
Two other adults, Andres Castillo,18, and Victor Torres,
22, originally charged with conspiracy and gang conspiracy
have been released.
"We are continuing follow-up investigations and they
are ongoing," said Lt. Alex Padilla, the Police Department
spokesman. "Whatever information we find, we will present
it to the DA’s office."
The fate of three juveniles arrested in February remains
unknown, as calls to juvenile division officers were not returned
by deadline.
Police have said one is a 15-year-old female that was originally
charged with murder, one count of conspiracy to shoot into
an inhabited dwelling, two counts of attempted murder and
gang conspiracy.
A 17-year-old male faced charges of assault with a deadly
weapon, Grand Theft Auto, possession of a firearm and gang
conspiracy. A 15-year-old male also was arrested in February
for conspiracy and gang conspiracy.
Zapien currently has two cases open against him on similar
charges set for May 11, and may have them combined, according
to the DA.
His bail for one case was set at $4 million dollars.
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