| For Immediate Release Case # 12NF0387
February 8, 2012 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
HUSBAND AND TWO GANG MEMBERS CHARGED WITH 1998 COLD CASE CONSPIRACY MURDER OF WIFE TO COLLECT $1 MILLION LIFE INSURANCE POLICY
FULLERTON – A husband and two gang members have been charged with the cold case conspiracy to murder the man’s wife in 1998 to collect a $1 million life insurance policy. Nuzzio Begaren, 50, Jose Luis Sandoval, 36, and Rafael Garcia Miranda, 45, are each charged with one felony count of special circumstances murder, one felony count of conspiracy to commit murder, and sentencing enhancements for murder for financial gain and murder in the commission of a robbery. Sandoval and Miranda face an additional sentencing enhancement for criminal street gang activity. If convicted, each of the defendants face a minimum sentence of life in state prison without the possibility of parole. All three are being held without bail. Begaren and Sandoval are expected to be arraigned today, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012, at 1:30 p.m. in Department N-3, North Justice Center, Fullerton. Miranda is scheduled for a continued arraignment March 2, 2012, at 8:00 a.m. in Department N-3.
On July 4, 1997, Nuzzio Begaren married Elizabeth Begaren, a correctional officer at a California state prison. Three days later, on July 7, 1997, he is accused of taking out a $1 million life insurance policy on his new wife.
Sometime between July 1997 and January 1998, Nuzzio Begaren is accused of soliciting members of a Los Angeles criminal street gang to murder Elizabeth Begaren.
On the night of Jan. 17, 1998, Nuzzio Begaren is accused of taking the victim and his 10-year-old daughter to a mall in Burbank with the knowledge that Sondoval and other gang members would be waiting to carry out the arranged murder. While shopping in Macy’s, Nuzzio Begaren is accused of placing $5,000 in cash in his wife’s purse as payment for the pending murder under the pretense of having her hold their shopping money. Nuzzio Begaren is accused of pretending to be alarmed upon seeing a group of gang members watching him and his family. He is accused of leaving with Elizabeth Begaren and his daughter.
At approximately 11:00 p.m. that night, Sandoval and other unknown accomplices are accused of following Nuzzio Begaren and the victim in their car. Nuzzio Begaren is accused of exiting California State Route 91 in Anaheim and then attempting to re-enter the freeway. Sandoval and the other gang members are accused of running him off the road.
The gang members are accused of getting out of the vehicle armed with firearms and approaching the victim. Nuzzio Begaren is accused of getting out of the driver’s seat under the pretense of moving to the back of the vehicle to protect his daughter. Sandoval and his accomplices are accused of murdering Elizabeth Begaren by shooting her one time in the head and chest. They are accused of taking her purse containing the $5,000 payment.