Mistrial declared in trial of man accused of killing off-duty Monterey Park officer
This is read by an automated voice.Please report any issues or inconsistencies here.
A mistrial was declared in the trial of a 23-year-old man accused of shooting and killing an off-duty Monterey Park police officer during a carjacking.Carlos Delcid was facing a list of charges stemming from the fatal 2022 encounter, including murder, shooting at a vehicle, felon in possession of a firearm and second-degree robbery.
But on Thursday, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Joseph R.Porras declared a mistrial after testimony in the trial this week disclosed to jurors that the victim, 26-year-old Gardiel Solorio, was a police officer, Delcid’s attorney confirmed.
Prosecutors and defense attorneys had agreed, in a motion filed by Delcid’s attorney, not to disclose to jurors that Solorio was an off-duty police officer, since it was not considered a factor in the crime.Long Beach police Officer Robert Cruz on Monday was testifying in the trial and made a brief mention of hearing about a Monterey Park officer in the case, but was cut off by Deputy Dist.
Atty.Geoff Lewin, City News Service reported.
According to court filings, Rick Sternfeld, Delcid’s attorney, argued in court for a mistrial because of the disclosure, but the judge disagreed.Then on Thursday, a detective on the case told prosecutors he believed a recording played during questioning made mention of “off-duty,” which also prompted Delcid’s attorney to again request a mistrial.
California Salvador Murillo, a former detective, is standing trial on assault charges over a 2020 incident in which he shot a fleeing suspect in the back, leaving the man paralyzed.Prosecutors argued against the motion but, according to court filings, the judge ruled in favor of Sternfeld’s motion.Venusse D.
Dunn, spokesperson for the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office, said the evidence made the judge concerned that the testimony and evidence may have led the jury to speculate about Solorio’s job as...