Trial nearing for second suspect in Keith Parks' death in Redlands
SAN BERNARDINO - A trial for the alleged shooter of Keith Parks over a $150 debt in Redlands is moving closer to its start date in San Bernardino Superior Court, say prosecutors.
Defendant Mario "Stomper" Valderrama is set to appear in court Friday, and a trial is scheduled to begin Monday, Deputy District Attorney Douglas Poston confirmed in a telephone interview.
A second defendant in the case, Linette Luna, a mother of three children, was convicted by an all-female jury and later sentenced to 25 years to life in state prison in April 2007.
Luna reportedly took Valderrama, who carried a four-foot shotgun, with her to a Redlands residence to collect a $150 debt from Parks, according to court testimony during Luna's trial. Emergency personnel later found Parks' body with a fatal shotgun wound in a field near the 100 block of 10th Street.
Authorities believe Luna and Valderrama went together to the residence. Luna got back in her car to wait at a nearby stop sign, as Valderrama struck Parks with the gun, according to Redlands Police.
Luna told detectives she heard a loud noise as she was leaving and then Valderrama approached her in Parks' Chrysler PT Cruiser. The pair later met at another residence.
The plan was only to get the money, according to Luna, and she put the shooting and car theft on Valderrama.
"I told him I don't want you to use (the gun)," Luna said. "Just you being there was enough."
Parks' death happened in the course of a felony carjacking, and under California law, Luna and Valderrama are equally guilty, according to prosecutors.
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