JUDGE DENIES DELAY REQUEST IN RUNNION CASE

KFMB.com ^ | 12/02/02

[socal_parrot]

(12-02-2002) - A California judge has denied a request for a delay by the man accused of killing five-year-old Samantha Runnion.

Samantha was abducted outside of her home in July. Her body was found the next day along a highway. Authorities say she had been sexually assaulted and asphyxiated.

Attorneys for 27-year-old Alejandro Avila wanted a postponement to review DNA evidence. After the judge said no, Avila waived his rights to a preliminary hearing.

Avila's arraignment is now set for December 16th. The district attorney says prosecutors want the earliest possible trial date, but he expects the defense to ask for more delays.

Avila is charged with kidnapping, lewd acts on a child under 14 and murder.

Because he also faces three special circumstances, he is eligible for the death penalty.

[socal_parrot]

I hope this guy gets a fair trial and then fries. I wonder if the Westerfield apologists will come to the support of this Mexican immigrant with less physical evidence against him.

[pabianice]

27-year-old Alejandro Avila

Valuing the Difference of the Multicultural Diversity Alert!

[It's me]

Less physical evidence?!!! Where'd you ever get that?

He left loads of DNA all over her!

[socal_parrot]

Yeah, and there was tons of DNA evidence in the Westerfield case, in his home, in his motor home, etc...all discounted by people willing to defend a middle-class white guy.