Pomona police arrest suspects in woman’s death
By Ari B. Bloomekatz
4:31 PM PST, March 1, 2009
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/crime/la-me-motelshooting2-2009mar02,0,4019729.story
Pomona police said they arrested two men suspected of killing a woman inside a Motel 6 this weekend.
The woman, who has not yet been identified, was found with multiple gunshot wounds at about 1:30 a.m. Saturday inside a room at the motel on South Garey Avenue.
Witnesses told police they heard several gunshots, then people running away. Paramedics who responded pronounced the woman dead at the scene.
Albert Martinez, 24, and Cesar Sierra, 31, were arrested Saturday evening after police, acting on a tip, spotted them at about 6 p.m. in a car in south Pomona and pulled them over.
Martinez and Sierra ran off but were soon caught and arrested, according to a news release from the Pomona Police Department.
A gun was found in their car, but it was unclear whether it was used in the shooting, police said.
Martinez and Sierra were being held without bail on suspicion of murder, police said.
America’s Criminal Defense Group, www.americascriminaldefense.com, is saddened to learn about the death of this woman. Anthony Partipilo, our Senior Criminal Defense Attorney, with over 35 years of experience, believes that this “tip” to the police seems questionable for several reasons. First, according to reports, there were witnesses who heard gun shots and then heard people running away, but the witnesses did not see anyone, therefore their testimony cannot help identify a suspect. Secondly, the accused, Albert Martinez and Cesar Sierra, were found with a gun in their car, yet the police were unclear if the gun was even used in the shooting. Right now, it is unclear as to what the link is that gave the police probable cause to stop these two men and to search their vehicle.
Mr. Partipilo believes that the testimony of the witnesses and this suppposed ”tip” is not enough incriminating evidence to charge Albert Martinez and Cesar Sierra.  Mr. Partipilo strongly believes that the defendants should hire a seasoned criminal defense attorney who can argue the lack of facts and investigate the probability of cause for stopping these gentlemen in the first place.
Anyone accused of murder should contact Senior Case Manager, Todd Terry (non-attorney) at 818-225-2468 or visit www.americascriminaldefense.com as soon as possible before speaking with law enforcement.
