Duo Charged With Murder Of Montrose Woman To Face Judge Today

MONTROSE, CA – Two alleged gang members charged with the murder of a 67-year-old Montrose woman will face a judge Thursday to determine if there's enough evidence to move forward with a trial.

Devon T. White, 20, of Lynwood and James Wesley Trotter "Mini Man," 21, of Long Beach each pleaded not guilty to one count of murder with a special circumstance allegation of murder during the commission of a robbery, second-degree robbery and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

The case alleges White personally used a handgun during the commission of the crime and that he was convicted in 2015 of possession for sale of cocaine base.
The felony complaint also includes allegations that Trotter was convicted of two counts of second-degree robbery and grand theft from the person of another in 2015 and pay for purpose of prostitution in 2014, according to the District Attorney's Office.

Both defendants are alleged to have committed the crimes in association with a criminal street gang, Deputy District Attorney Amy Ashvanian of the Hardcore Gang Division said.

White and Trotter were arraigned Wednesday and are scheduled to return to court on Sept. 21 in Department J of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Pasadena Branch.

Hye Soon Oh, 67, suffered from a single gunshot wound and was found on the ground inside the garage of her townhouse complex authorities. Authorities believed she may have been targeted for robbery as she arrived home from work. The Glendale woman was shot earlier in August in the 2900 block of Montrose Avenue and died at a hospital.

If convicted as charged, both defendants face a possible maximum sentence of death or life in prison without the possibility of parole. A decision on whether to seek the death penalty will be made at a later date.

The two defendants remain in custody on no bail, and the case remains under investigation by the Glendale Police Department.

City News Service and Patch Staffer Emily Holland contributed to this post; Image via Shutterstock