3 Suspects in Death Ordered Detained

Three New Mexico teen-agers suspected in the fatal stabbing of a Northridge woman at Zuma Beach were arraigned Monday in Santa Fe for local crimes, while Los Angeles County prosecutors prepared to file homicide charges and seek their extradition.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Harvey Giss said he expects to file a “special circumstance” homicide charge against the youth believed to have stabbed 43-year-old Jacqueline Kirkham, an enhanced charge that could send him to prison for life without the chance of parole.

Special circumstances may also be sought against the youth’s companions “depending on their preknowledge of the homicide,” said Giss, who declined to identify which teen-ager allegedly stabbed the French-born saleswoman. He said he would file the charges today or Wednesday after reviewing investigators’ reports in detail.

Meanwhile, the three--Jason Alexander, 17, and Michael Lorretto and Guillermo Bustos, both 16--were ordered held in the Santa Fe County Juvenile Detention Center on charges including burglary and probation violation, Assistant Santa Fe County District Atty. Shari Weinstein said.

The three youths were arrested last week by New Mexico State Police after troopers found Kirkham’s abandoned car north of Santa Fe.

Los Angeles County sheriff’s investigators say the youths traveled to Southern California by bus to avoid a burglary investigation, then fatally attacked Kirkham inside a beach restroom May 28 to obtain her car and money to return home.

Weinstein said she may also file charges of receiving stolen property and grand theft against the three for bringing Kirkham’s car across the state border.

The youths--all from the small town of Pojoaque--denied the New Mexico charges against them Monday, Weinstein said. A pretrial hearing was scheduled June 28 on those charges, she said.

Giss said their extradition to Los Angeles County could take a few days to several weeks, depending on whether the youths fight the request.