A 21-year-old Fontana man was convicted on Friday of murdering his ex-girlfriend’s father in his own vehicle and setting fire to the vehicle.
The body of Alejandro Padilla, 40, was found inside his burning vehicle in July 2013. The following month Edward Morales and Richard Gonzalez, 19, were arrested for the murder. Morales’ mother, 41-year-old Alma Quezada, of Fontana was also arrested for accessory to murder.
Morales and Gonzalez, according to the Deputy District Attorney Reza Daghbandan, decided to rob Padilla because they believed he carried a lot of money. “On the day of the crime, both defendants waited for the victim to come out of his home to go to work,” Daghbandan said. “When he came out of his house, they confronted him with a bat and a gun and then dragged him into his own car.”
Morales drove the vehicle, while Gonzalez beat and stabbed the victim to death using a gun and scissors. Morales left the vehicle at a park and Gonzales returned to burn it officials said. On Friday, November 18, 2016, Morales was convicted of First Degree Murder, Robbery, Carjacking and Kidnapping for the Purpose of Robbery. He is scheduled for sentencing at the Rancho Cucamonga Superior Court on January 10, 2016, where he will face 25 years to life in prison.
Gonzalez, committed suicide while in custody only two days following his arrest. Quezada was sentenced on September 4, 2015, to 19 days in jail. Victor Morales pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact in September 2015.
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Image Sources:
- Edward Morales: DISTRICT ATTORNEY OFFICE