Prosecution rests in Montclair murder trial

RANCHO CUCAMONGA -- Following four days of testimony, prosecutors rested their case today against a Montclair man charged with murder for a shooting death last year.

In opening Ruben Castellanoz's defense case, his attorney told jurors that Castellanoz was acting in self-defense when he shot Lotu Palei three times in a Montclair alley on Super Bowl Sunday last year.

The attorney, Andrew Haynal, told jurors that Palei, 19, identified himself as a gang member and was reportedly intoxicated and selling drugs the night of the killing. And Castellanoz believed Palei was armed, Haynal said.

"You've all promised to keep your minds open," Haynal told jurors.

Castellanoz may testify in his own defense Monday, Haynal said in an interview.

Prosecutors contend that Castellanoz, 23, shot and killed Palei to impress gang members and bolster his reputation on the streets.

Castellanoz and four other people were drinking in an alley near Castellanoz' home in the hours after the Super Bowl on Feb. 3, 2008.

Palei joined the group without invitation after midnight, and yelled out the name of an Ontario street gang when he arrived.

Palei reportedly kept his hand in his pocket during the subsequent conversation, and Castellanoz and others in the group may have believed he was armed.

Castellanoz and Palei did not exchange words during Palei's visit, Castellanoz's girlfriend testified this week. Without warning, Castellanoz shot Palei three times, killing him.

The prosecution's final witness was a police informant whose cooperation was key in identifying Castellanoz as a suspect in Palei's killing.

The informant, a friend of both Castellanoz and Palei, testified that it was his idea to lure Castellanoz to a local motel -- ostensibly for a party -- and wear a wire while Montclair police investigators listened in from an adjoining room.

In the conversation, Castellanoz admitted he shot and killed Palei, but indicated he believed Palei was armed and the time of the shooting and may have posed a threat to Castellanoz and his friends.

Haynal attacked the informant's credibility in his cross-examination. The informant had been arrested on robbery charges when he came forward to assist police.

Haynal implied in his questioning that prosecutors may have been lenient in prosecuting the informant because of his assistance in Castellanoz' case. The informant denied he received special treatment in exchange for his testimony.

Haynal called four witnesses this afternoon to testify in Castellanoz' defense.

One of Castellanoz' friends was called to testify as a character witness -- she testified that she didn't believe Castellanoz was a violent person.

Palei's brother testified that Palei was drunk the night of the killing.

Two Montclair police detectives were also called to testify by the defense.

Haynal attacked their investigative tactics and questioned whether they helped the informant secure favorable treatment in his robbery case. The detectives said they did not attempt to assist the informant.

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