Trial begins for man in Yucaipa double homicide
Lawyers gave their opening statements this morning in the trial for Alberto Oropeza Delgadillo who is charged with the execution-style shooting of two men in Yucaipa over a drug debt nearly two years ago.
Proceedings are underway in San Bernardino Superior Court.
Authorities say Delgadillo drove two men, 31-year-old Salvador Felix and Pedro Sanchez, 53, from the Los Angeles area to a desolate turnout on Live Oak Canyon Road, about a mile south of the 10 Freeway, and shot them both in the head on Dec. 18, 2006.
Nearby residents heard the gunshots and called Sheriff's deputies. A Chevrolet Astro van was seen leaving the location.
Authorities were tipped off to Delgadillo, 23, when he called detectives, and his phone number showed up on caller ID. One of the victims, Felix, is a cousin of Delgadillo's wife.
A lawyer for Delgadillo told the jury his client informed detectives that another man named "Javier" was the shooter. But the defendant could provide no further information about Javier.
Witness testimony followed the opening statements, and a DVD with an interview of Delgadillo by detectives was expected to be played this afternoon.
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