Jury Hears Admissions of Man Accused in Police Death

A San Fernando Superior Court jury on Monday heard the tape-recorded confession of a Sun Valley youth to a burglary that led to the shooting death of a rookie police officer.

Alberto Hernandez, 19, is charged with murder in the June 6 slaying of Officer James Beyea, although Hernandez says he was involved only in the burglary and not in the shooting. He has pleaded not guilty.

Authorities believe that Robert Steele, 16, shot Beyea with the officer’s gun during a struggle. Steele was killed by four police officers in an abandoned North Hollywood house a few hours after Beyea was shot.

Under California law, an accomplice can be charged with a murder committed during a serious crime, authorities said.

In the confession, taped on the morning after the incident, Hernandez admitted that he and Steele had broken into an electronics store on Lankershim Boulevard. But Hernandez said in the confession that he had been a “lookout,” watching for police while Steele broke into the store.

“I was right here, outside,” Hernandez told police. “Just right there holding the door.”

As the two were running from the store with car stereos, they heard a police helicopter overhead, Hernandez said on the tape. They dropped the stereos, climbed a wall and ran down some nearby streets, he said.

Hernandez said he then saw Beyea chasing Steele.

“After that, I just like hid in a bush,” he said. “And . . . after that I just heard gunshots.”

Hernandez said he did not see the two scuffling over the gun or that the officer had been shot. He said he stayed hidden in the bushes until officers found him.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Joseph Martinez said he believes that Hernandez was more actively involved in the shooting of Beyea. Martinez said he believes Hernandez joined in the struggle to overpower the officer.

“I think they both jumped him,” Martinez said.

Hernandez’s trial, which began last week, is scheduled to continue today.