Jury Deadlocks on Murder Charge

A jury on Thursday convicted a former Irvine man of assault with a deadly weapon but could not decide if he was guilty of murdering a 14-year-old girl in 1991.

Jurors deadlocked 10 to 2 in favor of convicting Albert Garcia Guerrero of fatally shooting Lilia Vianey Guevara.

The Westminster High School sophomore was shot in the chest in September 1991 as she and two friends tried to flee in a car from a fistfight that had broken out at a Tustin party.

Witnesses told authorities that Guerrero, his brother Ruben and Robert Garcia had passed a handgun back and forth as the car sped away.

Garcia, who allegedly fired the fatal shot, is believed to be at large in Mexico.

Albert Guerrero, 29, who allegedly fired to prevent the car from getting away, should be held accountable for the killing, the prosecutor said.

Guerrero contended that he fired a gun at the ground and never intended to hurt anyone, his lawyer, Thomas M. Goethals, said.

Jurors deliberated about two days before saying they were hopelessly deadlocked, citing questions over the defendant’s intent. The jury found Guerrero guilty of assault on another passenger in the car, but deadlocked on a third charge of attempted murder against the third passenger.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Lewis Rosenblum said he intends to seek another trial.

Ruben Guerrero already has been convicted of murder for his role in the killing.

Albert Guerrero was arrested in Tijuana about a year ago. He had been wanted by authorities since the shooting, but his arrest came only after years of searching and months of negotiation for his extradition from Mexico.