Suspect to enter plea in Cori Desmond's death
A Redondo Beach man is set to appear in Superior Court this morning to enter a formal plea on murder charges in the death of a popular Manhattan Beach bartender whose body was found off of Highway 330.
After hearing witness testimony at a Jan. 28 hearing, Judge Annemarie Pace ordered Tony Lopez Perez held over for trial on murder charges in the death of Cori Desmond. Perez, 35, is set to enter a plea on those charges this morning in San Bernardino Superior Court.
Perez is charged with one count of murder. He pleaded not guilty at an arraignment Oct. 13.
Desmond, 28, of Torrance, was last seen alive Feb. 15 at the Bac Street Lounge in Redondo Beach. An ATM camera later captured her image walking from her car to a bar to use the restroom, but she was turned away.
A motorist found Desmond's body the following day on the west side of Highway 330, on the way to Running Springs.
Perez's motive was that of "a sexual nature," say sheriff's detectives. Physical evidence was found inside a white Dodge Durango belonging to Perez before he sold it to a dealership, they said.
Watch for updates later today at The Sun's blog, "Inland Empire Courts," at: http://blogs.sbsun.com/sb/iecourts/
Leave a comment