Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Trial begins in decade-old murder case

The trial began Monday for the suspect accused of killing of a Eureka teenager in 1998.

Yohan Perez Lopez is the second of three suspects arrested in connection with the killing of 18-year-old Ryan Matthew Dunn outside a video store in January of 1998.

Lopez' brother, Santiago Lopez, was arrested at a relative's home in Redwood City within weeks of the killing.

...The men allegedly shot Dunn after he refused to fight inside the video store. The men waited for Dunn outside and allegedly shot him when he exited the store.

Deputy District Attorney Arnold Klein and Public Defender Jonathan McCrone gave opening statements and named witnesses who will testify during the trial.

Among the witnesses are responding officer Detective Ron Harpham and former Eureka Police Department homicide investigator Dave Parris.

Eighteen items were also submitted into evidence, including aerial views of the crime scene and pictures of Dunn on his 18th birthday.

Lopez' former girlfriend and Dunn's former girlfriend, who was with him at the time of the murder, are expected to testify today. He is charged with first-degree murder and possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell.

☛TS Trial begins in decade-old murder case

Guess it must not be a slam dunk. Klein got the assignment.

6 comments:

  1. "Guess in must not be a slam dunk" ?

    Are you suggesting Klien is the best they have? OH MY !!!

    But things will get better. With thousands of prisoners being released early, the DA's office always five deputies short, and the local marijuana industry attracting wouldbe millionaires from all over the U.S. things for Humboldt County can only get better. Right?

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  2. Nah, I'm sayin' if it was a slam dunk, Gallegos would take it himself. If it isn't he pawns it off on Klein.

    If I'm the defense attorney, I'm rubbing my hands in anticipation.

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  3. Good point Rose. What was I thinking?

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  4. Anonymous: His name is spelled "Klein," not "Klien."

    Rose: Why are you rubbing your hands in anticipation? How many murder cases have you tried? Are you even an attorney?

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  5. chill tolkien-fan - Klein is a big dufus. My neighbor was a juror is a case where he actually drew a picture of a hamburger on the black board and said "where's the beef?" in his closing argument. She said the jury convicted "in spite of him." Well, I guess that is why they can't fill any positions over there.

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  6. Anonymous: Your neighbor was on one of his juries? And Klein's a dufus based on what she had to say? And that was enough for you? Have you seen him in court yourself?

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