| For Immediate Release Case # 11ZF0112 August 10, 2012 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami
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MAN FACES TRIAL FOR SHOOTING-MURDER IN HUNTINGTON BEACH PARK
*Female co-defendant is pending trial in this case
SANTA ANA – A man faces trial Monday for shooting and murdering a man in a Huntington Beach park after setting up a meeting to return a stolen cell phone. Derek Christopher Adams, 23, Huntington Beach, is charged with one felony count each of murder, first degree robbery, first degree residential burglary, and aggravated assault with sentencing enhancements for the personal discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury and death and the personal use of a firearm. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 59 years and four months to life in state prison. Opening statements are expected to begin Monday, Aug. 13, 2012, at 9:15 a.m. in Department C-42, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.
Co-defendant Marissa Star Bilotti, 21, Huntington Beach, (Case #11ZF0123) is charged with one felony count each of murder, aggravated assault, and first degree residential burglary with sentencing enhancements for being armed with a firearm and knowingly being vicariously armed with a firearm. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of 35 years and four months to life in state prison. Bilotti is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing Sept. 21, 2012, at 8:30 a.m. in Department C-41.
Residential Robbery and Burglary of Cody Mosher
At approximately 11:00 a.m. on Oct. 22, 2010, Adams and his female friend, Bilotti, are accused of going to the Newport Beach home of Cody Masher, a parolee who was dating a woman in whom Adams was romantically interested. The defendants are accused of breaking down the door and entering Mosher’s home to confront him and his girlfriend. They are accused of getting into a verbal argument with Mosher’s girlfriend and stealing money from her purse.
Bilotti is accused of continuing to argue with the girlfriend as Adams went into the kitchen to retrieve a knife. Adams is accused of then punching and hitting Mosher before stabbing him, causing a superficial wound. The defendants are accused of stealing Mosher’s cell phone and fleeing the scene.
Throughout the day, Adams is accused of using Mosher’s cell phone to send text messages to Mosher’s girlfriend. He is accused of arranging to meet Mosher’s girlfriend at Murdy Park in Huntington Beach to return Mosher’s cell phone.
Murder of Gregory Heintz
Bilotti is accused of covering the license plate of her car and driving Adams to the park. She is accused of concealing a folding knife in her vagina and waiting in the car. Adams is accused of being armed with a firearm and getting out of the car to wait for Mosher’s girlfriend.
At approximately 3:30 p.m. Mosher’s girlfriend arrived at the park with two friends.