| For Immediate Release Case # 09NF2874 October 23, 2012 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami
|
MAN FACES TRIAL FOR THE EXECUTION-STYLE SHOOTING-MURDER OF FRIEND WITH A SHOTGUN
SANTA ANA – A man faces trial tomorrow for murdering his friend with a shotgun at point-blank range. Peter Albert Baltazar, 37, Anaheim, is charged with one felony count of murder with a sentencing enhancement for the personal discharge of a firearm causing death. Baltazar faces a maximum sentence of 50 years to life in state prison if convicted. Opening statements are expected to begin tomorrow, Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2012, at 9:00 a.m. in Department C-29, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.
At approximately 10:40 p.m. on March 2, 2009, Baltazar is accused of riding in the backseat of a van driven by victim James Arrecis. When the victim parked the van, the defendant is accused of arming himself with a shotgun and following Arrecis out of the vehicle. Baltazar is accused of firing one round from the shotgun and shooting the victim in the face at point-blank range. The victim died at the scene as a result of the gunshot wound.
The defendant is accused of fleeing the scene by driving the van back to his home in Anaheim. The defendant is accused of changing his clothes and hiding out at various homes throughout the night to avoid being caught by police.
Brea Police Department (BPD), who investigated this case, identified Baltazar as a person of interest in the murder after finding his name on a phone list that was in the victim’s possession at the time of his death.
On Oct. 7, 2009, BPD arrested Baltazar at Pelican Bay State Prison while he was serving time in custody as a result of a parole violation for a 2003 robbery.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Susan Price is prosecuting this case.
###