Three days of deliberations, no verdict in murder trial for Upland man

Jurors failed to reach a verdict after a third day of deliberations Wednesday in the murder trial of an Upland man accused of playing an essential role in the 2003 killing of 18-year-old Jessica de la Torre, of Ontario.

Prosecutors say Aaron Lozada, 35, gave the two primary killers a ride to De la Torre's home on Aug. 15, 2003 for the purposes of robbing her.

The men beat her unconscious during the robbery, and one of them put her body in the trunk of a car and drove to an isolated area of the Jurupa Mountains in Rubidoux, where he ran her over to kill her.

Lozada followed the man to the area of the killing in his own car, and gave him a ride home after they ditched the car used to kill De la Torre.

Lozada's defense attorney argued during the Riverside Superior Court trial that Lozada did not have knowledge of the robbery or killing when his friends enlisted his help with rides and other assistance.

Jurors are scheduled to resume deliberations Thursday morning.