Pinyon Pines murder trial: Jury finds defendants guilty
"Jurors have reached guilty verdicts in the trial of two Cathedral City High School graduates accused of killing three people before setting their San Jacinto Mountain home on fire nearly 12 years ago.
The verdicts in the Pinyon Pines case were announced Thursday afternoon in a packed courtroom at the Riverside Hall of Justice, finally revealing the fate of Robert Pape and Cristin Smith.
Pape was found guilty of second degree murder in the Sept. 17, 2006 slaying of Rebecca "Becky" Friedli, 18. Pape and Smith were both found guilty of first degree murder in the slaying of Becky Friedli's mother, Vicki Friedli and her boyfriend Jon Hayward.
Both men could face life in prison without the possibility of parole. The sentencing is set for August 10....
“Justice in this case, in particular for the family and friends of Jon Hayward, Vicki Friedli, and Vicki’s daughter Becky, has been a long time coming,” District Attorney Mike Hestrin said. “It is clear that jurors were meticulous in their examination of the evidence in this complicated multiple defendant case and we are pleased with their verdicts. We hope the verdicts help in the healing process to those who knew the victims and to the Coachella Valley community as a whole.”
Deputy District Attorney Brandon Smith, one of the prosecutors, told reporters that the family has had to wait 12 years for justice. "I agree with 100 percent of the verdict ," he said.
Smith added: "I'm looking forward to looking in those family members' eyes and giving them a hug and asking them for forgiveness that it took this long."...
After the verdicts were read, Becky Fredli's father, Ron, told reporters that he's "gonna go party tonight" to celebrate the outcome of the case. "It's a good day," he said...."
Pinyon Pines murder trial: Jury finds defendants guilty
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