Crime & Safety
Nevada Woman Convicted for 2007 Altadena Murder
In 2007, two women allegedly attempted the kidnapping of the son of one of the pair, allegedly slaying the boy's uncle in the process. One has taken a guilty plea in 2010, and the other was found guilty by a jury on Monday.
A Nevada woman was convicted Monday on second-degree murder charges stemming from a fatal shooting that took place in Altadena in 2007, according to the City News Service.
Jurors agreed with the prosecutors argument that Mesha Arshaz Dean was not acting in self-defense when she shot Monroe Miles, 32, of Altadena.
Dean and her girlfriend, Vanessa Marie Ochoa, were attempting to take Ochoa's child from his father's home on Canyon Dell Drive in Altadena and bring him back to Las Vegas to live with Ochoa. Monroe Miles, the child's uncle, was watching the boy, and a conflict broke out over whether the child would go with the pair or not.
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As Dean and Ochoa attempted to leave with the child, Miles got physical with Ochoa, according to testimony in the case. Dean's lawyer argued that she thought she feared for her life and shot Miles in self-defense
Dean was also convicted on charges of kidnapping and child endangerment.
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Ochoa pleaded guilty to all three counts after striking a deal with the prosecution in 2010. She has not yet been sentenced.
For more on the case, please read our account of closing arguments that took place last week:
Altadena Patch is seeking comment from attorneys and family members in this case. We will update the story with more information when we have it.
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