| For Immediate Release Case # 12CF1325May 8, 2012 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami
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MAN ARRAIGNED FOR STABBING-MURDER OF HIS GIRLFRIEND AND THEIR TWO YOUNG SONS
*Defendant led police on high-speed freeway chase before he was captured
SANTA ANA – A man was arraigned yesterday for the special circumstances stabbing-murder of his girlfriend and their two young sons. Shazer Fernando Limas, 31, Orange, is accused of three felony counts of special circumstances murder for committing multiple murders with sentencing enhancements for the multiple murders and the personal use of a deadly weapon. The special circumstances in this case makes Limas eligible for the death penalty. He is being held without bail and is scheduled for a continued arraignment, May 23, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. in Department CJ-1, Central Jail, Santa Ana.
Death Penalty Decision
In the majority of special circumstances murder cases, the District Attorney convenes a special circumstances committee consisting of the District Attorney, the Senior Assistant and Assistant District Attorney in charge of the Homicide Unit, and other prosecutors experienced in capital cases after an indictment or preliminary hearing. The committee discusses the defendant’s record, the nature of the crime, and the vulnerability of the victim, among other factors. The committee also considers mitigating circumstances from the defense attorney. The final decision to pursue the death penalty rests on the District Attorney. The decision will be determined at a later date.
Circumstances of the Case
On April 14, 2012, Limas is accused of stabbing and murdering his girlfriend 31-year-old Arlet Contreras and their sons, 1-year-old Fernando L. and 3-month-old Emmanuel L. at an Orange apartment they occupied in the 3000 block of West Chapman Avenue.
On April 15, 2012, Limas is accused of going to Long Beach Memorial Hospital for surgery on a cut to his hand.
On April 24, 2012, Limas is accused of buying a sundry of supplies at a Home Depot. He is accused of moving out of the apartment.
On April 25, 2012, Limas is accused of disposing of victim Contreras’ body, which was found in the City of La Puente by County workers with multiple stab wounds that same day. Her body was found on the street in the gutter.
On April 28, 2012, Limas is accused of turning in his keys and a letter of notice to vacate to the apartment management.
On May 3, 2012, Orange Police Department (OPD) was contacted by apartment management about blood found in Limas’ vacant apartment. Later that day, at approximately 6:30 p.m., OPD located Limas driving a Nissan 350Z in Santa Ana.