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Nephew is charged in slaying of Simi woman
Rape and use of deadly weapon included in special allegations
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Gutierrez
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More from Local NewsProsecutors have charged Luis Angel Gutierrez with murdering his aunt in Simi Valley, adding the special allegations that the crime was committed while raping or attempting to rape her and that a deadly weapon, a knife, was used, according to court records.
Gutierrez, who is in custody under $500,000 bail, made his first court appearance on Friday.
Ventura County Superior Court Judge Kevin McGee postponed Gutierrez's arraignment until April 25 at the request of his lawyer, Howard Asher of the Public Defender's Office.
Asher declined to comment after the hearing.
Prosecutor Rameen Minoui also declined to comment about the alleged sexual assault against Gutierrez's aunt, Josefina Lanuza-Gutierrez, 44.
She was found stabbed to death in her home in the 800 block of Moffatt Circle in Simi Valley about 8 a.m. Sunday, police said. A relative who discovered Lanuza-Gutierrez called police.
Medical examiners determined she bled to death from multiple stab wounds.
Gutierrez, 19, was arrested on suspicion of homicide shortly before 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Ventura County Medical Center, where he sought treatment for a wound to his hand, according to police.
Simi Valley police officials said they could not specify what kind of wound Gutierrez had or how he suffered it.
Gutierrez, a Mexican national, had been living in the home with Lanuza-Gutierrez, her husband and her three children since coming legally to the United States about a year ago, said Simi Valley Police Lt. Paul Fitzpatrick.
A number of community groups and organizations are reaching out to help the family, including the Simi Valley Police Officers Association, which donated $500.
A Gutierrez Family Fund at First California Bank has been set up to help the family.
For more information about the fund, interested persons can contact Dee Dee Cavanaugh at First California Bank at 426-0800 or Simi Valley Police Department Victim Advocate Renee Johnson at 583-6254.
Posted by JusAnAmerican on March 22, 2008 at 3:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
In addition to the trauma associated with a murder, how much will this illegal alien cost California taxpayers? Thank you George Bush for another avoidable crime by leaving our borders wide open to this massive wave of crime and poverty.
Posted by vidayluz on March 25, 2008 at 10:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Im sorry to jusantiamerican & lwcca, but I disagree with your comments, why you have to make comments about immigration reform and illegal alien? You for got to mention to keep the family in our prayers, also I like to know if you’re going to donate any money?
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