Fingerprint Leads to Murder Trial

A woman was ordered to stand trial Monday on charges of murder in the execution-style killing of a Taco Bell employee after evidence was presented showing that she left her fingerprint at the scene of the crime.

Even though prosecutors don’t believe she pulled the trigger, Heather Latice Henley will be tried on charges of murder and robbery because they believe she was present when a gang raided a Southeast San Diego fast food restaurant Aug. 30, leaving one man dead and a woman severely injured.

Henley, 18, will probably be tried with Calvin Lamont Cooper, 27, the man the district attorney’s office says is the leader of the gang and the triggerman in the attack at the Taco Bell at 5070 Federal Blvd.

Santos Nuno, 33, was killed from a single gunshot to the back of his head, and Lourdes Aquino, 34, was wounded when she was shot in the shoulder during the after-business-hours attack.

During a short preliminary hearing Monday, a detective testified that two witnesses identified Henley as the lone female robber who was accompanied by three armed males.

Evidence technicians also testified that a fingerprint on Aquino’s glasses, which were allegedly removed by the female attacker, matched Henley’s right thumb.

Asked by defense attorney Fred Corbin if the fingerprint came from Henley, San Diego Police Department analyst Mary Widner-Brown said, “I’m absolutely positive.”

Henley, who is being held in lieu of $1-million bail, will be arraigned in Superior Court on Dec. 16.

A third suspect who has been arrested in the case is a juvenile, but prosecutors are trying to have the male tried as an adult.