LANCASTER : Suspect in Mall Slaying of Teen-Ager Surrenders
A 24-year-old Palmdale man wanted for the July 5 slaying of a teen-ager at the Antelope Valley Mall has turned himself into authorities.
Adolfo Real Jr., who has been charged with shooting Efrain Pablo Brito, 16, during an argument in the mall’s parking lot, had been sought since July 18 when a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Real pleaded not guilty to the murder charge Monday in Antelope Municipal Court and said through his attorney that he was unaware until recently that the warrant had been issued.
Judge Ian R. Grant ordered Real held without bail pending a preliminary hearing Sept. 29.
“He is not guilty of the crime,” said Real’s lawyer, Deputy Public Defender Manuel R. Martinez. After learning of the warrant, Martinez said, Real “decided the best thing to do was to turn himself in and clear up the matter.”
Sheriff’s Lt. Tom Pigott said an anonymous caller agreed to have Real meet deputies outside a convenience market.
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