Hearing Set In Aspiring Actress' Murder
DNA Led Police To Pinon's Suspected Killers
POSTED: 12:00 p.m. PST April 5, 2002
UPDATED: 12:46 p.m. PST April 5, 2002
SAN DIEGO -- A May 13 preliminary hearing was set Friday for two teens who could face the death penalty if they are convicted of gunning down an aspiring actress who had rejected the romantic overtures of one of them.
Hugo Ariel Jimenez, 19, and Brian Aquino, 17, were arrested last week on suspicion of killing Lomita resident Adriana Pinon, 19 (pictured, left), in her family's living room Jan. 31, according to San Diego police.
At their arraignment last Friday, Jimenez and Aquino denied charges of murder, robbery, burglary and conspiracy to commit burglary. Both are being held without bail.
They also pleaded not guilty to special circumstance allegations of murder during commission of a burglary and murder during commission of a robbery, making it a capital case.
After the preliminary hearing, District Attorney Paul Pfingst will decide whether either or both will face the death penalty, or life in prison without parole, if convicted.
Fingerprint and DNA evidence found in Pinon's home allegedly linked Jimenez to the slaying.
A follow-up investigation led to the arrest of Aquino, who has been charged as an adult, said Deputy District Attorney Tia Quick.
"The victim was alone in her own house," Quick told Superior Court Judge David Szumowski at the arraignment last week.
"The defendants were in the process of taking property from her home. The victim was shot once in the back of the head, execution-style. That was after she was punched in the face three times."
Pinon was pursuing a career in show business and already had made 19 appearances as an extra in the daytime drama, "The Young and the Restless."
Investigators believe Jimenez committed the killing because he "wanted a personal relationship with Pinon, but she did not," Hurley said.
"In revenge for (his) being spurned, the two suspects went to the Pinon house to rob Ms. Pinon, which led to murder," the lieutenant added.
Quick said Jimenez was the gunman.
Threats had been made by members of Jimenez' family against potential witnesses, the prosecutor said.
Hugo Ariel Jimenez, 19, and Brian Aquino, 17, were arrested last week on suspicion of killing Lomita resident Adriana Pinon, 19 (pictured, left), in her family's living room Jan. 31, according to San Diego police.
At their arraignment last Friday, Jimenez and Aquino denied charges of murder, robbery, burglary and conspiracy to commit burglary. Both are being held without bail.
They also pleaded not guilty to special circumstance allegations of murder during commission of a burglary and murder during commission of a robbery, making it a capital case.
After the preliminary hearing, District Attorney Paul Pfingst will decide whether either or both will face the death penalty, or life in prison without parole, if convicted.
Fingerprint and DNA evidence found in Pinon's home allegedly linked Jimenez to the slaying.
A follow-up investigation led to the arrest of Aquino, who has been charged as an adult, said Deputy District Attorney Tia Quick.
"The victim was alone in her own house," Quick told Superior Court Judge David Szumowski at the arraignment last week.
"The defendants were in the process of taking property from her home. The victim was shot once in the back of the head, execution-style. That was after she was punched in the face three times."
Pinon was pursuing a career in show business and already had made 19 appearances as an extra in the daytime drama, "The Young and the Restless."
Investigators believe Jimenez committed the killing because he "wanted a personal relationship with Pinon, but she did not," Hurley said.
"In revenge for (his) being spurned, the two suspects went to the Pinon house to rob Ms. Pinon, which led to murder," the lieutenant added.
Quick said Jimenez was the gunman.
Threats had been made by members of Jimenez' family against potential witnesses, the prosecutor said.
Previous Stories:
- March 29, 2002: Teens Plead Not Guilty To Aspiring Actress' Murder
- February 1, 2002: Police Investigate Teen Actress' Murder
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