Father Indicted in Fire That Killed 7
Moving swiftly to bring to trial a father who confessed to setting his Glendale apartment afire, killing his wife and six children, the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office unsealed a murder and arson indictment Tuesday.
Jorjik Avanesian, 40, was arraigned in Superior Court on Tuesday after prosecutors unsealed the secret eight-count indictment returned by the county grand jury Friday after a half-day hearing.
The indictment allows prosecutors to take the case against Avanesian directly to Superior Court for trial without a potentially lengthy preliminary hearing to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to hold a trial.
Avanesian was ordered to appear in Pasadena Superior Court on March 18, when a trial date is to be set.
He faces seven counts of murder and one count of arson in the Feb. 6 fire that police say he confessed to setting after years of anger at his wife.
Although those charges carry a possible death penalty, Deputy District Atty. Kevin J. McCormick said it has not been decided whether to seek Avanesian’s execution.
Avanesian pleaded not guilty at his arraignment last week.
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