SIMI VALLEY : Teen-Ager Convicted in Slaying at Pizzeria

A Simi Valley teen-ager was convicted of murder and robbery Friday for the 1993 slaying of a Porter Ranch pizzeria manager.

Dusty Tyrone Castillo, now 18, one of three youths charged in the slaying, was found guilty in Van Nuys Superior Court of robbery and murder with the special circumstance that it was committed during the commission of a robbery.

John Michael Holden, 19, of Porter Ranch was shot to death after turning over $450 in the Jan. 14, 1993, robbery.

The jury, after deliberating for nearly four days over a two-week period, also found Castillo guilty of 11 unrelated robberies, an attempted robbery and four assaults during a crime spree from November, 1992, to January, 1993.

Castillo faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole when he is sentenced Aug. 16.

Following the jury’s verdict, Castillo’s attorney, Jenny Scovis, requested a supplemental probation report to determine if Castillo could serve the first part of his sentence in a juvenile facility.

Judge Charles L. Peven said he would consider such a request but is inclined to sentence Castillo to state prison.

“Your client has exhibited himself to be an extreme danger to society,” Peven said.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Larry Mason said he would ask for a sentence of life in state prison.

Carol Holden, the victim’s mother, diligently attended separate court proceedings for the three defendants--Castillo, Alex Velasquez, 19, and Oscar Villanueva, 18--beginning with Juvenile Court hearings that resulted in all three being tried as adults.

Earlier this year, both Villanueva and Velasquez agreed to plea bargains with prosecutors. Villanueva pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 16 years to life in prison, although he is being allowed to serve the first seven years in a juvenile facility. Velasquez pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in exchange for a sentence of 26 years to life in prison.

Holding back tears outside the courtroom, Carol Holden said that although the judicial proceedings are nearly over, she will be forever without her son.

“No matter what sentence [Castillo] gets, my son is still gone,” she said. “But at least if [Castillo] is in prison, no one else will be killed.”

According to police, Castillo, Velasquez and Villanueva approached the Ameci In & Out Pizza and Pasta restaurant the evening of Jan. 14, 1993. While Villanueva waited in the car, Castillo and Velasquez confronted John Michael Holden and demanded money.

Holden turned over $450, but Castillo shot him once in the chest anyway. Holden later died at a hospital.