Posted on 06/09/2021 3:10:46 PM PDT by L.A.Justice
SANTA ANA (CBSLA) – A Costa Mesa couple was charged Tuesday in the road rage shooting death of 6-year-old Aiden Leos.
Orange County District Attorney’s Office Tuesday filed one count of murder and discharge of a gun at an inhabited dwelling against 24-year-old Marcus Anthony Eriz. His girlfriend, 23-year-old Wynne Lee, was charged with one felony count of being an accessory after the fact and a misdemeanor count of having a concealed firearm in a vehicle.
Eriz also faces an enhancement for personal discharge of a firearm causing bodily injury and death.
Both were expected to appear in court Tuesday afternoon but the arraignment was later postponed until June 18.
Bail was tentatively set at $2 million for Eriz and at $500,000 for Lee.
Eriz faces a maximum sentence of 40 years to life in prison if convicted on all counts. Lee faces a maximum sentence of three years in prison, plus one year in jail.
California Highway Patrol detectives believe Lee was driving the car that was involved in the road rage incident, while Eriz was in the front passenger seat and committed the shooting itself.
During a Tuesday afternoon press conference, Spitzer said prosecutors did not have what they felt was sufficient evidence to support a murder charge against Lee. He said prosecutors “have to analyze evidence with respect to the conduct of each individual,” and “based on our review of the evidence, we did not believe we could also file murder against her at this time.”
The couple were arrested outside their Costa Mesa apartment Sunday night. CHP announced Monday that investigators located the vehicle they were driving and the firearm used in the shooting.
On Tuesday, Spitzer said he cannot say where the weapon was recovered but he believes it was registered to Eriz.
On the morning of May 21, Aiden was in a booster seat in the back of his mother’s Chevrolet Sonic, on his way to kindergarten in Yorba Linda, when the shooting incident occurred on the northbound 55 Freeway in the city of Orange.
Joanna Cloonan, Aiden’s mother was involved in a road rage incident with the occupants of a white Volkswagen station wagon over a perceived unsafe lane change, according to CHP.
The white Volkswagen station wagon was found Monday, hidden in the garage of a Whittier home in a quiet neighborhood. Property records indicate that the homeowner, a woman, is a relative of Eriz. A neighbor, Kevin DeSilva, said a grandmother lives in the Whittier home, but has been on vacation for several weeks.
The VW is registered to Lee’s parents.
The reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspects has surpassed $500,000. So far there’s been no word on what will happen with the reward however Spitzer said at least one tip did assist in the arrests, and “there will certainly be an argument for reward money.”
He noted that the reward is contingent on a conviction, not just an arrest, so a final determination will wait until the case plays out in court.
Two did not enter a plea yesterday...Ms. Lee is not going to be in jail for too long even if she is convicted...DA did not believe that he had enough evidence to charge her with more serious crimes...
CHP was the lead agency in this case...Not Orange PD...I guess that CHP claimed jurisdiction over this case because it happened on a freeway...
Life must be nice as an attractive Korean chick. Good times.
Neck tats on the guy. Just sayin’.
“Life must be nice as an attractive Korean chick. Good times.”
Probably nice for ANY attractive chick. But Wynne Lee doesn’t qualify.
Neck tats not the sign of a quality individual
Guns aren't registered in California.
Eriz may be the owner, but he didn't have to 'register' it when he bought it.
I am more focused on his AOC type buggy eyes. Hyperactive thyroid unhinged types
The car is registered to her parents, they hid it at the boyfriend’s grandmother’s house in Whittier, she was on vacation and had no idea the car was placed in the garage
She doesn’t look not guilty to me. Ymmv.
That's because she's turned on her boyfriend. First to squeal gets the deal.
Technically true, but the Dealers Record of Sale is pretty much a de facto registration. Remember, that is filled out in addition to the 4473.
The shooter suspect.
Prison then jail? What?
He may have tats on his brain to be shooting at another vehicle because he got angry over a lane change.
Thanks for the ChiPS picture. Of course I have all on dvd including the TV movie CHiPS 99 and the sad theatrical Dax Shepard one (in 2017).
I do not take responsibility for their never having drawn their guns.
Prefer the Darren McGavin Mike Hammer (1958-1959). My favorite episode had Hammer taking revenge and brutally beating the bad guy over and over with his fists and enjoying every second of it——which is my dream in real life (hampered by 1)God 2) laws 3) my wife. Sigh.
The real life crime news stories lately are pushing me to the edge of my boundaries.
Boy murdered....
May God bless his soul and may he find his peace and happiness in heaven. Amen.
Somebody posted the name is turkish.
Judging by the photo he might not be found incompetent for trial.
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