Jury Convicts Gunman of Murder-for-Hire Attempt

The accused hit man in a murder-for-hire trial was found guilty Monday of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder and solicitation to commit murder.

Roberto Felix, 31, was convicted of shooting Olga Olguin after accepting $4,000 from Rosa Maldonado, the lover of Olguin’s husband. Maldonado, 39, of Glendale, was convicted of attempted murder Friday and faces a possible term of life in prison with the possibility of parole.

Felix faces a possible 50 years to life in prison when he is sentenced May 11.

Just before the verdict was announced Monday, Felix whispered to an interpreter, who asked a bailiff that the defendant’s wife leave the courtroom. His aunt remained inside and wept as the verdict was read.

Maldonado and Olguin’s husband, Alejandro Olguin, were lovers, according to testimony. Deputy Dist. Atty. Renee Urman contended that Maldonado wanted Alejandro to herself and hired the hit man, although Alejandro told her he would never leave his wife.

On Nov. 4, 1999, Olga Olguin was shot in the back of the head while walking her children to school on Manitou Avenue in Lincoln Heights.

“We know that was the plan, to have it done in the presence of her children,” Urman said Monday after the verdict. “I can only say [Maldonado] is a sick and demented woman.”

Olga Olguin survived the shooting, but bullet fragments remain lodged in her head, causing hearing problems and discomfort while sleeping, Urman said.

Jurors deliberated for five days. Urman said Felix’s tape-recorded statement to police was probably the most compelling evidence.

“He confessed he actually was hired to kill Olga when she walked her kids to school,” Urman said.

Defense attorney Manuel Lopez questions whether the statement represented the truth.

Felix was coerced by police to make certain statements and tricked into speaking, Lopez said.

“At the police station, a ruse was used,” Lopez said. “They brought in a portable tape recorder. Mr. Felix told them he didn’t want to be recorded. They took the portable tape recorder out but didn’t tell him the room was wired.”

Portions of the police interview were missing from the tape that jurors heard and his client was never read his Miranda rights, said Lopez, who intends to appeal the conviction.