The Antelope Valley Times

Your community. Your issues. Your news.

  • Home
  • Latest News
  • Local
    • Palmdale
    • Lancaster
    • Los Angeles County
    • Littlerock
    • Lake Los Angeles
    • Rosamond
    • Edwards AFB
    • Acton
  • Crime
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Health
  • Business
  • Opinion
    • Advertise
    • About
    • Contact Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    Show Search

Prospective jurors asked to fill out questionnaires in trial of Palmdale man charged in 8-year-old boy’s beating death

by City News Service • September 26, 2017

Gabriel Fernandez

LOS ANGELES  – The jury selection process got underway Tuesday for the trial of a Palmdale man who is charged, along with his girlfriend, with capital murder in the beating death of the woman’s 8-year-old son.

Prospective jurors were asked to fill out questionnaires, with Superior Court Judge George G. Lomeli telling the potential panelists that Isauro Aguirre, 37, is charged with murder in the May 22, 2013, death of Gabriel Fernandez, who suffered “extensive internal and external injuries.”

The murder charge includes the special circumstance allegation of murder involving the infliction of torture.

Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against Aguirre and co- defendant Pearl Fernandez, 34, who will be tried separately.

“It’s going to be an interesting case, believe me,” the judge told jurors, noting that the trial is expected to last about six to eight weeks.

Los Angeles County Fire Department personnel were sent on May 22, 2013, to a home in the 200 block of East Avenue Q-10 in response to a call that the boy wasn’t breathing. He was declared brain-dead that day, but not taken off life support until two days later.

The prosecution alleges that the child suffered a fractured skull, several broken ribs and was burned.

Aguirre and Fernandez were indicted in July 2014 on a murder charge, along with the torture special circumstance allegation.

The boy’s death triggered investigations into the county’s child welfare system and resulted in the filing of criminal charges of child abuse and falsifying public records against two former county social workers and two of their supervisors, who are due back in court Oct. 20 for a pretrial hearing.

Attorneys plan to begin questioning prospective jurors in Aguirre’s case next Wednesday, with opening statements expected in mid-October.

–

Filed Under: Crime/ Safety, Palmdale

3 comments for "Prospective jurors asked to fill out questionnaires in trial of Palmdale man charged in 8-year-old boy’s beating death"

  1. Ben says

    October 28, 2017 at 11:34 pm

    Wendy GB:

    So why didn’t G-d save Gabriel?

  2. Wendy GB says

    October 19, 2017 at 4:02 pm

    Isaiah 35: 4 Say to those who are anxious at heart: “Be strong. Do not be afraid. Look! Your own God will come with vengeance, God will come with retribution. He will come and save you.”

    • Ben says

      October 28, 2017 at 11:57 pm

      Where was G-d while Gabriel was being tortured?

Recent Comments

  • Lancaster Realtor on Woman found dead in Lancaster; man arrested: “I’m surprised. That neighborhood looks upscale.” Jan 22, 15:41
  • Probe on State attorney general opens civil rights probe of LA County Sheriff’s Dept.: “Becerra finally did something worthwhile.” Jan 22, 15:39
  • Ronald on Help detectives find domestic violence suspect in Lancaster, robbery suspect in Palmdale [update: arrested]: “Im White Bob. Dont associate with Those People. Try and stay as far away as possible.” Jan 22, 15:24
  • Beecee on Op-ed: Kevin McCarthy and Mike Garcia must resign: “Says the guy watching all the hog smokers on CNN all day.” Jan 22, 13:52
  • El Rey on Readers Speak Out!: “Now if we could just rid ourselves of Rex and the Fern Street Mafia. Maybe with normal elections in November…” Jan 22, 13:48

© 2021 · The Antelope Valley Times. All rights reserved. Terms of Use