Grandmother-slaying case sent to jury

BARSTOW • Attorneys made closing statements Tuesday in the jury trial of a Pomona man accused of smothering his grandmother to death and dumping her body in the Mojave Desert in 2008.

Arturo Hernandez, 23, was arrested days after the body of his 58-year-old grandmother, Aguilar Ventura, was found near the California-Nevada border November 2008. His truck was found abandoned behind the Barstow Mall the same week.

In his closing statements at Barstow Superior Court, Deputy District Attorney Joel Buckinham said Hernandez was guilty of murder in the first degree.

Buckingham reiterated evidence brought forth throughout the trial, such as tire marks and shoe marks found near her body that match Hernandez’s truck and shoes.

Buckingham also discussed testimony from two family members who said Hernandez had made previous threats to Ventura, once trying to extort $5,000 from her. This proved his act was premeditated, he said.

He pointed to the fact that Hernandez was the last person to see her alive.

Public Defender Troy Padgett cast doubt on much of the evidence and testimony given by the prosecution and spent the majority of his closing statements asking questions and speculating.

He questioned the credibility of law enforcement investigating the case and pointed out mistakes they made throughout the process, such as failing to photograph footprints that had been damaged by rain.

Padgett also accused investigators of choosing to present only the evidence that would prove their theory that Hernandez committed the murder. He said there was opportunity for someone to have planted evidence.

“I don’t have to prove anything. I don’t,” Padgett said. “I just have to raise reasonable doubt.”

He said the prosecution has failed to provide proof beyond a reasonable doubt in this case.

If Hernandez is convicted he could face a maximum penalty of 25 years to life in prison.

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