Verdicts arrive in "Dead Presidents" case

Family members, lawyers and court observers crowded into a San Bernardino courtroom about 11:30 a.m. today to hear a jury announce that it recommends the death penalty for defendants Lorenzo Inez Arias and Luis Alonzo Mendoza.
The two men are scheduled for sentencing on Sept. 10.
As family members were taken to a second-floor area to be briefed by prosecutors, jurors filed out of the courtroom. Compliments and handshakes for the prosecutors were abundant, as jurors said they were impressed by the case presented by the District Attorney's Office.
While I was tempted to see the case as nearing its end, a tough detective reminded me that one defendant still remains to face the justice system. Prosecutors said early on they believe Froylan Chiprez is a fugitive in Mexico.
As the attention on Mendoza and Arias fades following their sentencing, authorities said they will be turning their attention to Chiprez.
"Our efforts and focus in this case will continue," said Detective Glenn Carr, during a telephone conversation. "There is still more work to be done."
We'll keep you updated at The Sun as more news is announced.
In the meantime, here's a early look at the story about the verdicts that will run in Thursday's newspaper.

By Mike Cruz Staff Writer SAN BERNARDINO -- A jury recommended the death penalty Wednesday for two gang members convicted in the so-called "Dead Presidents" quadruple slaying in July 2000. The verdicts for defendants Luis Alonzo Mendoza and Lorenzo Inez Arias were read aloud about 11:30 a.m. in San Bernardino Superior Court. Jurors had a choice between choosing death or life in prison without the possibility of parole for the pair. Mendoza, 32, and Arias, 29, were part of a four-man crew who fired gunshots and killed four men and wounded two others at a West Vine Street duplex in July 2000, according to San Bernardino Police. "I believe that these two individuals are truly the worst of the worst," said Deputy District Attorney Cheryl Kersey, who prosecuted the case. She added, "This is the appropriate punishment under the law." The two men are scheduled to return to court Sept. 10 for motions and sentencing. Authorities say the defendants had targeted street gang president Johnny Agudo for control of the gang and because he had given information to police about another gang member. Defense lawyer Julian Ducre, who represented Arias with lawyer Dean Pic'l, said few words after the court proceedings. "I'm disappointed with the verdicts," said Ducre, who declined to elaborate. Mendoza's lawyer, Richard Crouter, could not be reached for comment. In addition to 33-year-old Johnny Agudo, other victims included his brother Gilbert Agudo, 27; Anthony Daniel Luna, 23; and Luna's half-brother, Marselino Gregory Luna, 19. After the proceedings, jurors met in a courthouse hallway and thanked the prosecutors and detectives. A male juror, who requested to remain anonymous for his safety, said he didn't think he would be the same after his trial experience. A juror praised authorities for putting together the pieces of the case. Deliberations included a lot of back-and-forth discussion, soul searching and tears. "We kept going back to the law," the juror said. "We kept going back to the (jury) instructions. We kept going back to the evidence." Photographs of the victims and their gunshot wounds showed jurors how the shooting occurred, they said. Jurors also said the visit to the crime scene was crucial. A female juror said she was glad the trial and deliberations were over, but they were necessary. "I don't feel good about it," the juror said. "There were moments when I cried. Because the Agudo brothers were presidents of two local street gangs, some in law-enforcement circles have dubbed the case "Dead Presidents." Another defendant in the case, John Adrian Ramirez, 34, recently took a plea bargain. A fourth man, Froylan Chiprez, 33, remains a fugitive. mike.cruz@inlandnewspapers.com (909) 386-3880