Jury Begins Deliberations in Shooting of Schoolteacher

Deliberations will begin today in the trial of the two men accused of shooting schoolteacher Alfredo Perez.

The jury heard the defense’s case and closing arguments Wednesday in Compton Superior Court.

Much of the defense’s case dealt with the testimony of James McClenand, a witness who originally told police he saw the shooting in which a stray bullet fired during a gang squabble struck and critically wounded Perez while he was in the school library with his class. In court Tuesday, McClenand backed off that statement, saying he only heard what happened.

“He is a liar and he proved it here,” said defense attorney Ronald White, who represents Antonio Moses. Moses, 19, along with Frazier Francis, 19, is charged with attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon. “You people have a golden opportunity to right a wrong. A wrong that has put two people in jail on the lone account of one lying witness.”

Deputy Dist. Atty. Phil Glaviano urged the jury of seven women and five men not to forget the fact that McClenand changed his testimony. “You can see in his face that he is scared. Why shouldn’t he be? He has got to go back there. He has to go home.”