Father, Son on Trial, Accused of Hiring Killer
A former cable-TV host and his father went to trial Thursday in Norwalk Superior Court on charges they hired a hit man last year to kill a 14-year-old Pico Rivera girl whom the son was accused of raping.
Tito David Valdez Jr., 23, and his father, Tito David Valdez, 56, both of Downey, are charged with conspiracy and solicitation to murder the girl. Tito Valdez Jr. was sentenced earlier this month to 14 years in prison after being convicted of rape and lewd conduct.
He and his father are accused of hiring a contract killer in early December to stop the girl from testifying. They were arrested several hours later and no murder attempt was made. Both defendants are in jail.
Tito Valdez Jr. hosted the “Hollywood Haze” program about the underground-party scene in the Southland. The show was aired last fall on Continental Cablevision, which serves several Southeast cities.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
