CA - Roman Anthony Lopez, 11, found deceased, poisoned , Placerville, 11 Jan 2020 *arrests*

[Knox]

Q: Are there any suspects at this point?

Nida: Because it's considered a suspicious death investigation, we are not considering people suspects.

Q: Explain that for me.

Nida: Because it’s not considered a homicide, so at this point, it’s not a criminal investigation. It’s an investigation, and so we do not call anyone suspects at this time.


Weird.

How strange? Maybe they shouldn't give any statements at all until they can share the tox findings.

 

[Blondie in Spokane]

So he just laid down and died?

I thought I read that Roman’s body had been covered? Or maybe that is incorrect on my part so I’ll just say MOO.

 

[cb73]

I thought I read that Roman’s body had been covered? Or maybe that is incorrect on my part so I’ll just say MOO.

I also remember hearing that he'd been covered up with rocks--I want to say I read it in a news story or heard it on the local news.

ETA: Now that I'm looking for it, I can't find any mention at all. Now I'm curious and will keep looking.

2nd ETA: Someone elsewhere is telling me that it was a miscommunication early on. So maybe some news person got it wrong, reported it, then found it to be wrong and pulled/edited the story, which is why I can't find it now.

I just finished going back through the various news stories. Amazing how little information they actually did provide.

 

[Jo in Calif]

It seems as though there were no viable signs of trauma to Romans body that could of caused his death.
Waiting for tox and pathology reports to see if there could have been an underlying problem that caused his death.
If he died from neglect there will possibly be an arrest of the person that caused this.
It's quite possible that he died of natural causes that could have been prevented if proper medical care would have been practiced.

 

[katydid23]

Are the cops holding things close to their vests? Or has this case gone cold and nothing is happening?

 

[Luckyzmom]

JMO here. I believe they have quite a bit of evidence. It's going to take a while and we may never know what really happened to Roman. Juveniles must be protected. That doesn't give anyone peace of mind or confirmation that justice is served.
Ca legislation to change the criminal justice system is on full swing now.

 

[PezCandy]

This is ridiculous! Why hasn’t anything been done!?!

 

[PezCandy]

I thought I read that Roman’s body had been covered? Or maybe that is incorrect on my part so I’ll just say MOO.

Romans grandma had said that on SM

 

[PezCandy]

Q: Are there any suspects at this point?

Nida: Because it's considered a suspicious death investigation, we are not considering people suspects.

Q: Explain that for me.

Nida: Because it’s not considered a homicide, so at this point, it’s not a criminal investigation. It’s an investigation, and so we do not call anyone suspects at this time.


Weird.

bbm
a seriously bizarre statement.
Wonder if tox came back yet.

 

[Tealgrove]

Very bizarre statement however, the Gannon Stauch "investigation" isn't criminal either and there are no POI's except that searches take place daily and the Crime Lab has been at the house several times.

Seems like a common theme among LE statements these days.

MOO

 

[Niner]

I thought I read that Roman’s body had been covered? Or maybe that is incorrect on my part so I’ll just say MOO.

Romans grandma had said that on SM

and if I'm remember correctly, buried under rocks.

Don't recall how old the twins are - but in California - I looked up how old a juvenile needs to be to be charged as an adult.

14 years old
While California law prohibits prosecution of children less than 14 years of age, in some situations a minor who is at least 14 years old may be tried as an adult. In fact, California law specifies certain crimes for which a minor 14 years and older must be prosecuted in adult court.

 

[Alethea]

Very bizarre statement however, the Gannon Stauch "investigation" isn't criminal either and there are no POI's except that searches take place daily and the Crime Lab has been at the house several times.

Seems like a common theme among LE statements these days.

MOO

It may just be legalese. If you have a criminal investigation with suspects being "detained" for interrogation by LE as potential defendants, those people are entitled to a lawyer and must be read their rights. If you are merely investigating a missing person or a suspicious death with no criminal investigation and no suspects, you are not detaining people for interrogation - you're merely interviewing witnesses and they do not have rights or need lawyers.

A good defense lawyer would tear this apart based on what was factually happening- it doesn't matter what you call it if you are in practice interrogating a suspect, attempting to get them to incriminate themselves in a crime.

However, it may be standard practice in certain LE departments (and it looks like it is growing) to avoid triggering these protections for as long as possible.

 

[Subiechik21]

Q: Are there any suspects at this point?

Nida: Because it's considered a suspicious death investigation, we are not considering people suspects.

Q: Explain that for me.

Nida: Because it’s not considered a homicide, so at this point, it’s not a criminal investigation. It’s an investigation, and so we do not call anyone suspects at this time.


Weird.

Her explanation of what constitutes a suspicious death was weird also. I tried to google the suspicious death classification criteria for CA, but really didn't find any answers.

 

[evilwise]

Basically the reverse of when they say "circumstances of the death are not considered suspicious". They're saying that eventually it may be considered a homicide.

 

[Subiechik21]

Basically the reverse of when they say "circumstances of the death are not considered suspicious". They're saying that eventually it may be considered a homicide.

Thank you!

 

[branmuffin]

If he liked to hide in small places, is it possible he hid in or under something in the yard, and accidentally suffocated?

We've only been told he likes to hide in small places by the parents. They've told us he is 'sly' as well. Maybe he got 'placed' in small spaces by some older boys like bullies do when there isn't a school locker handy.

 

[Noharg]

It is frustrating that we are not hearing more about this case.

 

[BOSCOE]

It's now been 6+ weeks and no news or charges in Roman's death. I fully understand other situations needed to be resolved however jumbled non answers is not cutting it for me. LE knows darn well what was going on in that home and I'm worried CA will drop the ball again when they know better.

Justice for Roman ❤

 

[branmuffin]

I wonder if the investigation has been able to ascertain whether the location where Roman was found was the location where he died.

 

[Blonde_AF]

Anyone have a copy of the leaked CPS report? There are supposedly at this point numerous people who have seen it.