Latest Legal News from the Criminal Courts of Los Angeles, California and the U.S.

June 30, 2009

Two Men Convicted of Murder, Manslaughter in Street Racing Deaths of Three

POMONA – Two men were convicted today of multiple murder and gross vehicular manslaughter charges in connection with a 2007 street racing incident that claimed the lives of a mother and her two children.

Deputy District Attorney Stacy Okun-Wiese said a Pomona Superior Court jury deliberated about 3-1/2 hours before convicting 20-year-old Robert Canizalez and 22-year-old Martin Morones of three counts each of second-degree murder and three counts each of gross vehicular manslaughter. The jury also convicted Canizalez of a misdemeanor count of witness intimidation and found true the allegation the defendant used force or violence.

Both men face life-with-parole prison terms when they return on Aug. 12 to the court of trial Judge Robert Martinez for sentencing. Both are in custody without bail.

The prosecutor said Canizalez was arrested shortly after the fiery fatal collision on Oct. 8, 2007, that claimed the lives of 40-year-old Dora Groce and her children, 8-year-old Robert and 4-year-old Katherine. Morones fled but was arrested at the Mexican border a month later, she added.

Authorities said Canizalez, in a Ford Mustang, and Morones, in a Honda Accord, were racing northbound on Parkway Drive in El Monte between 5:15 and 5:45 p.m. on Oct. 8, 2007. The crash occurred at the intersection of Parkway and Elliott Avenue – controlled by four stop signs.

The Nissan Altima containing the victims was on Elliott and had stopped, then proceeded into the intersection when it was struck and burst into flames.

Both defendants and the victims lived in the same mobile home park on Elliott Avenue near the scene of the crash.

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CALIFORNIA CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER

JOSEPH SHEMARIA

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Latest Legal News from the Criminal Courts of Los Angeles, California and the U.S.