| For Immediate Release Case # 07NF2178 April 20, 2011 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
MAN FACES TRIAL FOR CONSPIRACY, REVENGE-MURDER AND ATTEMPTED MURDER OF FAMILY OF CO-DEFENDANT’S EX-GIRLFRIEND
*The murdered victims’ bodies and house were set on fire; two co-defendants are charged in this case
SANTA ANA – A man faces trial tomorrow for his role in a revenge-murder and attempted murder conspiracy targeting the family of his co-defendant’s ex-girlfriend. Two victims were murdered and set on fire and a third was left in a coma after suffering life-threatening injuries. Vitaliy Krasnoperov, 25, Hollywood, is charged with two felony counts of special circumstances murder, one felony count of attempted murder, and one felony count of conspiracy to commit murder. He faces sentencing enhancements for multiple murders, murder during the commission of a burglary, and murder during the commission of kidnapping. If convicted, Krasnoperov faces a maximum sentence of life in state prison without the possibility of parole. Opening statements are expected to begin this afternoon, Wednesday, April 20, 2011, in Department C-41, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana. The time is to be determined.
Co-defendants Iftekhar Murtaza, 26, Van Nuys, and Charles Anthony Murphy, Jr., 26, Mission Hills, face the same charges and enhancements as Krasnoperov with an additional sentencing enhancement each for murder for financial gain. Both defendants are being held without bail. Murphy faces a maximum sentence of life in state prison without the possibility of parole and is scheduled for jury trial June 13, 2011, in Department C-41.
The Orange County District Attorney (OCDA) is seeking the death penalty against Murtaza, who is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing May 6, 2011, in Department C-41.
Before the death penalty is pursued by the OCDA, a special circumstances committee meets and confers. The committee consists of the District Attorney, the Senior Assistant and Assistant District Attorney in charge of the Homicide Unit, and other prosecutors experienced in capital cases. 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.
Background
In March 2007, 18-year-old Shayona Dhanak was a freshman at the University of California, Irvine, living in the campus dorms. Her father Jaypraykash Dhanak, 56, mother Leela Dhanak, 54, and sister Karishma Dhanak, 20, lived in the family home in Anaheim Hills.
On March 29, 2007, 18-year-old Shayona Dhanak ended a two-year dating relationship with Murtaza. The Dhanaks disapproved of the relationship partly because they were practicing Hindus and Murtaza was a non-practicing Muslim. Murtaza is accused of becoming angry about the break-up, believing that Shayona Dhanak’s parents were responsible because they did not approve of the relationship and had pressured her to end the relationship.