Deal in Rolling Hills murder
One of two men convicted in the murder of a man behind a Rolling Hills school has struck a post-trial deal with prosecutors that will one day give him freedom.
Miguel Torres, 30, has pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in exchange for 12 years in prison, Deputy District Attorney Craig Hum said Tuesday.
Torres agreed to give up all his custody credits -- about seven years -- and drop his appeal, in exchange for the deal, Hum added.
In October, following a second trial, Torres was sentenced to 26 years to life for the murder of Juan Vasquez, who was shot behind Rancho Del Mar Continuation High School on Dec. 2, 2001.
Their friend, Joe Nino, is serving life in prison without the possibiltity of parole for shooting Vasquez.
Both Nino and Torres had a second trial last year after an appellate court found prosecutors wrongly dismissed minorities from the jury panel at their first trial.
Prosecutors believe Nino, Torres and a third man, Erick Velasquez, conspired together to kills Vasquez because they all were having a dispute with him. Velasquez received immunity in exchange for his testimony.
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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