Forklift driver charged in Newport Bay bridge slaying
A 40-year-old Santa Ana forklift driver is set to be arraigned on murder charges in the gunshot-slaying of a young mother whose body was found face-down under the Newport Bay bridge on Labor Day.
Jaime Prieto Rocha appeared in court Tuesday but did not enter a plea in the death of Nancy Hammour, 28-year-old Santa Ana woman who family members said was trying to straighten out her life after battling drugs.
An autopsy determined that Hammour died of a gunshot wound, though details of her death remained sketchy. Rocha is being held on $1-million bail and will be returned to court Sept. 27.
Since 1995, Rocha has pleaded guilty to various charges, including possession of a controlled substance, receiving stolen property, second-degree burglary and assault with a deadly weapon or force, according to Orange County Superior Court records.
With prosecutors’ consent Tuesday, the judge dismissed some traffic charges still pending against Rocha that could become inconsequential in light of the murder allegation.
“He’s going to be, I imagine, in custody for a while,” Orange County Superior Court Judge Craig Robison said.
Police and prosecutors have not revealed what relationship, if any, existed between Hammour and Rocha.
Hammour pleaded guilty in 2008 to misdemeanor prostitution and drunk-driving charges, according to court documents. In January, she pleaded guilty to a felony charge of possession of a controlled substance. Her probation was revoked in July.
Hammour’s sister, Yara Morales, said Hammour was attempting to get custody of her infant son. She also has an older son who lives with a relative.
“She was having a difficult time battling drugs,” Morales told The Times. “I have no idea what could’ve happened, but I know she last spoke to her boyfriend at 1:30 a.m. [on Labor Day], telling him she wanted to go out, and he told her to please not to.”
ALSO:
Marion ‘Suge’ Knight arrested after traffic stop near Beverly Hills
Alhambra bus crash: Driver passed out or fell asleep, officials say
Transgender teen nominated for homecoming queen in Huntington Beach
Bradley Zint and Jeremiah Dobruck write for Times Community News.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
