RPV cliff execution defendants held for trial
Following a night of packing, drinking and drugs, Jesus Payan, 38, ended up bound and dead on a Palos Verdes Drive South turnout in Rancho Palos Verdes. His two friends, cousins Rudy Tafoya, 21, and Daniel Nunez, 27, were ordered today to stand trial following a preliminary hearing.
The only witness to testify, Sheriff Detective Dameron Peyton, didn't answer any questions about possible motives for the January 31, 2007, slaying. After the hearing, Deputy District Attorney Craig Hum said the motive issue remains unresolved, but said authorities suspect drugs played a part. Hum is becoming quite the cliff-related death expert - he is also the prosecutor on the Cameron Brown and Brandon Manai cases.
Tafoya and Nunez will return to court June 3. We'll have a full report on the preliminary hearing in tomorrow's Daily Breeze.
About the Blogger
Larry Altman has covered crime in the South Bay since 1990. He's seen it all - the missing model who turned up dead in the desert, the wives found dead in trunks, the high-school coaches who get a little too close to their players. He drives his young colleagues nuts with his "I remember when" stories. He welcomes your tips and observations about the present, and you can mix in a little Lakers basketball talk if you like.
E-mail Larry at larry.altman@dailybreeze.com.
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