Opening Arguments Begin in Rossmoor Matricide Trial

Opening arguments began this week in the murder trial of a Rossmoor woman accused of gunning down her 96-year-old mother in 2014.

According to prosecutors, Christine Marie Reynolds, 72, shot her mother Gretchen DeStefano in the head following an argument in their home in the 11200 block of Wallingsford Road.

At the time of the shooting, sheriff’s deputies went to the home and found DeStefano dead at the scene, according to Lt. Jeff Hallock of the Sheriff’s Department.

Reynolds faces 50 years to life in prison if convicted, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office. She is jailed on $1 million bail.

--City News Service

PHOTO Courtesy the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.