Orange : Youth, 17, Convicted of Slaying Woman

A 17-year-old Orange youth was convicted of first-degree murder Thursday in the stabbing death last year of a 27-year-old woman who lived a block from his home.

David Yorba, who has a lengthy juvenile record, also was convicted on four counts of burglary. He faces a possible 34 years in state prison for the Aug. 29, 1985, slaying of Cindy Monnier, a Santa Ana bank clerk. But because of Yorba’s age, the judge instead could send him to the California Youth Authority, where he likely would be released at age 21.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Brent F. Romney said that because of Yorba’s juvenile record and the violent nature of his crime, he was confident that Yorba would go to state prison.

Yorba admitted to the police that he had burglarized Monnier’s apartment two weeks before. In fact, that burglary became part of his defense.

Yorba’s fingerprints were found in numerous places in her bedroom and bathroom. But defense attorney Ronald P. Davis argued to jurors that the fingerprints could have been left there when his client committed burglary.

Evidence showed that an attempt had been made to sexually assault Monnier, and that she was fatally stabbed.

Dozens of her friends and family members were present throughout the trial and the reading of the verdict.

“She was a sweet, vivacious, loving girl,” Romney said. “Because of the burglary, she was making plans to move out of that apartment and move in with a friend.”

Superior Court Judge Manuel Ramirez ordered that Yorba be sent to the California Youth Authority for a diagnostic study before sentencing him.