NORMA LOPEZ - 17 yo (2010)/ Charged: Jesse Perez Torres - Moreno Valley (E of Riverside) CA

There was activity at Norma's abduction site today when I drove by. Someone had a video camera, although it did not appear to be the media. The 2 vehicles there were not marked. There were about 8 young people there.

VERY INTERESTING!!, Its about 40 minutes but a MUST SEE if you have a moment, This must have been what you had seen going on RedHead

The MP team heads to Moreno Valley to work on the Lopez case.

tammers1212 wrote:VERY INTERESTING!!, Its about 40 minutes but a MUST SEE if you have a moment, This must have been what you had seen going on RedHead

The MP team heads to Moreno Valley to work on the Lopez case.

Wow Tammers, I think this is what I saw. And the building they think something happened in is at Cottonwood (the street of the abduction site) and Moreno Beach. It's an old and abandoned industrial-type building.

RedHead wrote:

tammers1212 wrote:VERY INTERESTING!!, Its about 40 minutes but a MUST SEE if you have a moment, This must have been what you had seen going on RedHead

The MP team heads to Moreno Valley to work on the Lopez case.

Wow Tammers, I think this is what I saw. And the building they think something happened in is at Cottonwood (the street of the abduction site) and Moreno Beach. It's an old and abandoned industrial-type building.

Yea RedHead you are right, I was looking at that too and it is right there off cottonwood and moreno beach. I lived off Perris and Delphinium for about 6years so Im really familiar with that area and I always remember driving by there thinking how creepy that place looked

tammers1212 wrote:

RedHead wrote:

tammers1212 wrote:VERY INTERESTING!!, Its about 40 minutes but a MUST SEE if you have a moment, This must have been what you had seen going on RedHead

The MP team heads to Moreno Valley to work on the Lopez case.

Wow Tammers, I think this is what I saw. And the building they think something happened in is at Cottonwood (the street of the abduction site) and Moreno Beach. It's an old and abandoned industrial-type building.

Yea RedHead you are right, I was looking at that too and it is right there off cottonwood and moreno beach. I lived off Perris and Delphinium for about 6years so Im really familiar with that area and I always remember driving by there thinking how creepy that place looked

The sad/scary part is that this old building would be on the way from the abduction site to where her body was found.

The family of a Moreno Valley high school
student who was kidnapped and murdered in July 2010 announced that
police have arrested a suspect in the case.
The announcement was made on a Facebook page of the family of Norma
Lopez, 17, who disappeared after leaving summer school. Her body was
found near a wheat field on the eastern edge of town five days later.

"I waited 1 yr and 3 months and my answer that I've been awaiting for
was finally answered I promised this crime wasn't gunna go unanswered
and the fbi didn't fail us....he's been found and he's in jail were
going on trial,'' the family stated on the "Find Norma" Facebook page, created shortly after she was abducted.

Her father, Martin Lopez, confirmed to the Times that police had arrested a suspect.

Riverside County Sheriff's Department spokesman Sgt. Joe Borja on
Friday morning said he could not confirm the arrest, but did say an
announcement would be made later this morning.

Riverside County jail records show that deputies arrested a 35-year-old
man in Long Beach on Thursday, charging him with murder and kidnapping,
which was first reported by the Press Enterprise. Jesse Perez Torres is
being held at the Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside, with
bail set at $1 million.
Lopez's abduction and murder struck fear into parents throughout the
Riverside County town, with police urging students not to walk home by
themselves or through isolated areas.

Lopez was reported missing on July 15, 2010 by her older sister,
Sonja, after she failed to show up at a friend's home following her
summer biology class. She was out of school by 10 a.m. and planned to
meet her older sister and a friend.

Investigators said they found some of Norma's belongings, as well as
signs of a struggle, in a vacant field along Cottonwood Avenue, a
popular shortcut among students.

Lopez's body was found in a grassy field five days later by a
resident doing yardwork in an isolated area just off the 60 Freeway that
is surrounded by vast wheat fields.

At the time, investigators told the family they believe that two or
three people may have been involved in Norma's abduction and murder,
since it would have been hard for one person to grab the 17-year-old in
broad daylight.

Detectives also focused on tracking down the green SUV that was seen
speeding away from the area where Lopez was abducted, expanding the
search across the state.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/10/norma-lopez.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+lanowblog+%28L.A.+Now%29&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher

MORENO VALLEY - A suspect in the July 2010 murder of 17-year-old Norma Lopez was behind bars today on a $1 million bail.


Jesse Perez Torres, 35, of Long Beach, was charged with murder,
kidnapping to commit rape and assault in the death of the Moreno Valley
teenager, who was snatched while walking to a friend's house after
school at Valley View High School, according to court papers.


Torres was jailed in Riverside after being arrested at his Long
Beach home about 10 a.m. Thursday. It was unclear how detectives linked
Torres to the killing.


"We are confident we have the (right) suspect in custody,"
Riverside County sheriff's Capt. John Anderson said at a news conference
Friday. "The community can breathe a sigh of relief."


Torres, his wife and two toddler children reportedly lived within a
block of Valley View High School at the time of Norma's death.


About five months before Norma was killed, Torres, who was
divorcing, allegedly assaulted his wife and threatened to kill her. The
case, however, was dismissed when prosecutors were unable to find the
victim in September 2010. According to the Los Angeles Times, Torres told investigators his wife was lying
about the assault to get custody of their children and enable her to get
a "green card."

It was unclear when Torres moved to Long Beach.


Norma's older sister, Elizabeth, announced the arrest on the Facebook page "Find Norma Lopez" late Thursday.


"I waited 1 yr and 3 months and my answer that I've been awaiting
for was finally answered. I promised this crime wasn't gunna go
unanswered and the FBI didn't fail us," she wrote. "He's been found and
he's in jail ...."


Norma's body was found July 15, 2010, in a field used as a shortcut
between her high school and Cottonwood Avenue. After finishing a summer
school class, she disappeared while headed to a friend's house in the
27300 block of Cottonwood Avenue.


Five days later, her body was found in a lot off Theodore Street, east Moreno Valley.


The case attracted national attention, inspiring local search
parties, then memorials and fundraisers for the family of the girl, who
would have graduated in June. She was awarded a diploma posthumously.

http://www.myvalleynews.com/story/59448/

DNA Linked Suspect to Norma Lopez Slaying
Neighbors describe suspect as "creepy."
VIDEO: Watch Elizabeth Espinosa's Report

KTLA News
4:17 p.m. PDT, October 27, 2011

MORENO VALLEY, Calif. (KTLA) -- A Long Beach man accused of kidnapping and murdering Moreno Valley teenager, Norma Lopez, made his first court appearance today.

Jesse Perez Torres is charged with one count of murder with a special circumstance allegation of kidnapping making him eligible for the death penalty.

Torres did not enter a plea Thursday, his next court appearance is set for Nov 16th.

Prosecutors say they got a DNA match in the case about three weeks ago that linked Torres to DNA found on Norma's body.

Dist. Atty.’s spokesman John Hall said the agency will not provide any more details about the DNA evidence, only that there was a “hit” directly linking Torres to one of the crime scenes.

Torres also owned an SUV that matched the description of a vehicle a witness saw at the site of the kidnapping, a vacant lot less than 200 yards from Torres' suburban home.

The witness told authorities the vehicle was a green SUV, which became a focal point in the initial investigation.

At the time of the crime, Torres lived in a home on a Moreno Valley street which Norma walked past.

Torres moved to Long Beach in August 2010.

Torres was was previously charged with felony spousal abuse and assault three months before Norma’s disappearance, but the charges were dropped.

Norma was abducted in the middle of the afternoon while walking home from a summer school biology class at Valley View High School on July 15, 2010.

Her body was found in a nearby field five days later.

Investigators said they found some of Norma's belongings, as well as signs of a struggle, in a vacant field along Cottonwood Avenue, a popular shortcut among students.

http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-norma-lopez-murder-arrest,0,6559867.story

Suspect in Norma Lopez Murder Pleads Not Guilty
Police say DNA evidence linked Jesse Perez Torres to the crime.
VIDEO: Watch Elizabeth Espinosa's Report

Officers lead murder suspect Jesse Torres to waiting car. (KTLA EXCLUSIVE)


KTLA News
10:36 a.m. PST, November 16, 2011

MORENO VALLEY, Calif. (KTLA) -- A Long Beach man accused of kidnapping and murdering Moreno Valley teenager, Norma Lopez, pleaded not guilty on Wednesday.

35-year-old Jesse Perez Torres is charged with one count of murder with a special circumstance allegation of kidnapping, which making him eligible for the death penalty.

His next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 6.

Prosecutors say they got a DNA match in the case that linked Torres to DNA found on Norma's body.

Dist. Atty.’s spokesman John Hall said the agency will not provide any more details about the DNA evidence, only that there was a “hit” directly linking Torres to one of the crime scenes.

Torres also owned an SUV that matched the description of a vehicle a witness saw at the site of the kidnapping, a vacant lot less than 200 yards from Torres' suburban home.

The witness told authorities the vehicle was a green SUV, which became a focal point in the initial investigation.

Lopez was abducted in the middle of the afternoon while walking home from a summer school biology class at Valley View High School on July 15, 2010.

Her body was found in a nearby field five days later.

Investigators said they found some of Norma's belongings, as well as signs of a struggle, in a vacant field along Cottonwood Avenue, a popular shortcut among students.

At the time of the crime, Torres lived in a home on a Moreno Valley street that Lopez walked past.

Torres moved to Long Beach in August 2010.

He was was previously charged with felony spousal abuse and assault three months before Norma’s disappearance, but the charges were dropped.

http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-norma-lopez-murder-arrest,0,6559867.story

Preliminary Hearing Date Set for Suspect in Norma Lopez Murder
Police say DNA evidence linked Jesse Perez Torres to the crime.
VIDEO: Watch Elizabeth Espinosa's Report

KTLA News

3:08 p.m. PST, January 6, 2012
MORENO VALLEY, Calif. (KTLA) -- A Long Beach man accused of murdering 17-year old Norma Lopez is due back in court March 28 for a preliminary hearing

Jesse Perez Torres pleaded not guilty last November in the murder of the Moreno Valley teenager.

He is charged with one count of murder with a special circumstance allegation of kidnapping, which making him eligible for the death penalty.

Prosecutors say they got a DNA match in the case that linked Torres to DNA found on Norma's body.

Dist. Atty.'s spokesman John Hall said the agency will not provide any more details about the DNA evidence, only that there was a "hit" directly linking Torres to one of the crime scenes.

Torres also owned an SUV that matched the description of a vehicle a witness saw at the site of the kidnapping, a vacant lot less than 200 yards from Torres' suburban home.

The witness told authorities the vehicle was a green SUV, which became a focal point in the initial investigation.

Lopez was abducted in the middle of the afternoon while walking home from a summer school biology class at Valley View High School on July 15, 2010.

Her body was found in a nearby field five days later.

Investigators said they found some of Norma's belongings, as well as signs of a struggle, in a vacant field along Cottonwood Avenue, a popular shortcut among students.

At the time of the crime, Torres lived in a home on a Moreno Valley street that Lopez walked past.

Torres moved to Long Beach in August 2010.

He was previously charged with felony spousal abuse and assault three months before Norma’s disappearance, but the charges were dropped.


http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-norma-lopez-murder-arrest,0,6559867.story

MORENO VALLEY: Norma Lopez slaying suspect gets new attorney

September 30, 2013
by John Asbury


Jesse Perez Torres

The man charged with abducting and killing a Moreno Valley teenager was appointed a new attorney for his death penalty trial.

Jesse Perez Torres, 37, is charged with kidnapping 17-year-old Norma Lopez on July 15, 2010, as she was walking home from summer school classes at Valley View High School.

Her body was found five days later in a remote field about three miles away. Prosecutors linked Torres to her killing more than a year later when they found a partial DNA match on her earring.

During a hearing Friday, Sept. 27, in Riverside County Superior Court,  Judge Edward Webster appointed Pete Morreale as Torres’ new attorney.

The Riverside County Capital Defender’s office declared a conflict of interest in the case. Torres’ former co-counsel, Gail O’Rane, was appointed to become a Riverside County judge  last month.

Torres is set to return to court for a scheduling hearing Oct. 18. A trial date has not been set.

http://blog.pe.com/court-docket/2013/09/30/moreno-valley-norma-lopez-slaying-suspect-gets-new-attorney/

MORENO VALLEY: Trial date set in Norma Lopez killing

MARCH 10, 2014 BY JOHN ASBURY

A Riverside County judge has set a tentative trial date in September for the man charged with kidnapping and killing 17-year-old Norma Lopez in Moreno Valley.
A jury trial is set to begin Sept. 15 for Jesse Perez Torres, 37, who could face the death penalty or life in prison without parole if he’s convicted.

Moreno Valley police arrested Torres in 2011 in Long Beach, more than a year after Norma was kidnapped while walking home from summer school classes at Valley View High School in Moreno Valley.

Detectives linked Torres to the killing through a DNA sample that matched a trace of DNA found on Norma’s earring, which was left in a field where she was abducted.

Norma’s shirtless body was found five days later, beneath a grove of trees in a remote field about three miles away. The death sent chills through the community and prompted parents and students to take greater precaution while walking alone.

A judge ruled there was enough evidence for Torres to stand trial, based on the DNA sample and a surveillance video that showed Torres driving away from the scene in an SUV.

Torres also lived across the street from the high school, and adjacent to the field where Norma was abducted.

In a document written in support of the death penalty for Torres, prosecutors said he had a history of violence toward women in the months before Norma’s death.

Moreno Valley police first arrested Torres in February 2010 on felony spousal abuse and assault charges, but the case was dismissed about seven months later. He was required to submit a DNA sample to the state database, which linked him to Norma’s case.

Police also found two videos inside his Long Beach apartment that showed Torres sexually assaulting two women, one of whom may have been drugged or intoxicated, according to court records.

He has not been charged in either of the Long Beach cases, according to Los Angeles County court records.

Torres’ Riverside County murder case has been delayed because he was assigned new attorneys. He is set to return to court April 4 for a scheduling hearing.

http://blog.pe.com/breaking-news/2014/03/10/moreno-valley-trial-date-set-in-norma-lopez-killing/