Jurors fail to reach verdict for second time in murder trial for 1990 Pomona drive-by
A woman charged with murder for her alleged role in a 1990 drive-by shooting will stand trial for a third time after a jury deadlocked this week over the question of her guilt.
Prosecutors say Stephanie Renteria, 36, drove the car in the June 20, 1990 drive-by shooting in Pomona that killed 4-year-old Gilbert Perez.
Police made no arrests in 1990, though Renteria was a suspect, said Antonio Bestard, Renteria's defense attorney.
Renteria was arrested in January after Perez's mother, who was with the boy when he was shot, identified Renteria as the driver of the car, Bestard said.
After a six-day trial in Pomona Superior Court, jurors deliberated for about 8 hours but said Tuesday they could not resolve a 10-2 deadlock favoring acquittal, Bestard said.
Renteria's initial trial in September ended with jurors deadlocked 9-3 in favor of acquittal. Renteria has been jailed since her January arrest.
Bestard said prosecutors announced they would pursue a third trial.
Shortly before 11 p.m. the day of the shooting, Perez was sitting in his mother's lap in a parked car on Lebee Avenue, just west of Randy Street.
Another car drove by and shots were fired at the parked car. One bullet struck Perez in the head, killing him, Bestard said.
Perez's mother told police at the time of the shooting she did not see the people who were involved in the drive-by, Bestard.
In her recent statements, the woman says she did not want to identify Renteria as the driver at the time because she feared retribution from a street gang, Bestard said.
Bestard said Renteria graduated high school the day of the shooting, and when it took place was actually attending a graduation party.
For the past 17 years Renteria has been a church secretary. She has no criminal record, Bestard said.
Other witnesses presented by prosecutors at the trial were former members of Renteria's church who testified that Renteria admitted she was a gang member when she was younger and had participated in drive-by shootings.
"She's never been a gang member and she's never admitted to being a gang member," Bestard said.
A new trial date was tentatively set Wednesday for Feb. 3, Bestard said.
On Jan. 8 Renteria will ask a judge to reduce her bail, which is now set at $750,000, Bestard said.
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