A woman was sentenced to 14 years in a California state prison for her role in recruiting a gang member to kill her co-worker's brother in an Orange County murder-for-hire conspiracy.
Edelmira Corona, who lived in Pico Rivera, testified against co-defendents charged in the 2002 murder of David Montemayor. She pleaded guilty earlier this year to
manslaughter. This information was according to the Orange County district attorney's office.
Prosecutors said that Corona and Montemayor’s sister Deborah Perna, solicited the help of 44-year-old gang member Anthony Navarro of Canyon Country to kill Montemayor. Perna was apparently jealous that her father intended to pass control of the family company to her brother because she believed he was stealing from the business.
Navarro recruited three other gang members in the murder scheme. In October, 2002, the three gang members kidnapped Montemayor at the business in Rancho Dominguez and drove to his home in Buena Park, where they were informed he kept thousands of dollars in cash.
During the travel to his home, he managed to escape from the car. But one of the gang members shot him in the head as he fled. Another gang member shot at him before they fled in their car, triggering a police chase. Police eventually were able to stop the vehicle and arrested the three gang members.
Perna was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Navarro also was convicted of murder and was sentenced to to the death penalty. The other three gang members were all convicted of murder. Two were sentenced to receive the death penalty and the other to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The penalties are harsh for a murder conviction in California. They can range from 25 years to life in prison. The state of California is one of the 35 other states that still, depending on the severity of the murder conviction, hand down the death penalty. With your freedom and life at stake, it is crucial to have a skilled Los Angeles murder criminal defense lawyer on your side.
The law firm of Cron, Israels & Stark will give you unmatched legal representation in fighting a murder charge. Our initial free consultation allows your family to come in and discuss all your legal options. Our Los Angeles violent crime lawyers have a track record of success in prior cases defending clients facing serious
violent crime criminal charges that include
aggravated assault,
robbery,
carjacking, among others.
Call today at 888-895-3607 to set up an appointment. We can help you fight your murder charges in Los Angeles County, Orange County, and throughout the state of California..