Trial begins in 2003 murder of 18-year-old Ontario woman

Jury selection started Wednesday in the trial of an Upland man facing murder charges for his role in the 2003 killing of an 18-year-old Ontario woman, according to online court records.

Prosecutors say Aaron Alburto Lozaza, 35, picked up Jessica de la Torre's killer after the killer ran De la Torre over with a car and left her for dead on Aug. 15, 2003 near the Jurupa Mountains in Rubidoux.

The convicted killer, Jesus Guadalupe Velazquez Penuelas, 25, of Ontario, was sentenced to death in August.

An accomplice, 24-year-old Sergio Rojas Arias, of Upland was sentenced in August to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Prosecutors say Penuelas knew De la Torre from work. He and Arias went to her home and robbed her.

Penuelas slashed De la Torre with a knife and beat her unconscious as Arias held her down, prosecutors say.

Penuelas then put De la Torre in the back of her father's car and drove it to Rubidoux to complete the killing, prosecutors said.

The trial is scheduled to continue this morning in Riverside Superior Court, according to online court records.