2 Youths to Be Extradited in Zuma Beach Killing
New Mexico Gov. Bruce King signed papers Friday ordering the extradition of two New Mexico youths accused of killing a Northridge woman at Zuma Beach.
King signed extradition papers for Guillermo Bustos, 16, and Michael Loretto, 17, of Pojoaque, N.M., said John McKean, a spokesman for the governor. California Gov. Pete Wilson issued a warrant last week for the youths’ extradition to California.
Bustos and Loretto have been charged with first-degree murder and second-degree robbery in the death of Jacqueline Kirkham, 43, who was stabbed in a beach restroom May 28.
The teen-agers, speaking through their attorneys, have denied involvement in the slaying.
Bustos, Loretto and another Pojoaque teen-ager, who has not been charged in the slaying, were arrested after police found Kirkham’s car overturned and abandoned near Nambe, N.M., on June 4. Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies have said they believe the three youths took a bus to California on Memorial Day weekend, and killed Kirkham while stealing her car to return to New Mexico.
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