Murder suspect tells her story

VICTORVILLE • A Phelan woman charged with the 2006 murder of an Azusa man testified Wednesday that she saw the other suspect shoot and kill the victim.

Maribel Lopez told investigators that Sergio Peredia, 20, shot Erik Bermudez to death in the open desert area near Phelan after they lured him into going on a drive, according to an interview video taken Nov. 16, 2006. Deputy District Attorney Robert Brown played the video during Wednesday’s jury trial, as Lopez, 24, sat at the council table, fiddling with her hands and looking down.

Lopez said in the video that Peredia told her before meeting up with Bermudez that he was going to rob the 18-year-old.

If convicted, Lopez faces 25 years to life in prison for first-degree murder, while Peredia faces 50 years to life.

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Tomoya Shimura may be reached at tshimura@VVDailyPress.com or (760) 955-5368.