Murderer Sentenced To Two Consecutive Life Terms Without Parole After Killing Girlfriend's Grandparents

SAN MARINO, CA — A young man convicted of the stabbing deaths of his teenage girlfriend's grandparents in their bed in their Rosemead home nearly seven years ago was sentenced Friday to two consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Craig Richman denied the defense's request for a new trial for Roldolfo Lopez, saying that the 28-year-old man "admitted his involvement" in the killings during a videotaped confession.

Lopez was convicted last Dec. 9 of first-degree murder for the Aug. 9, 2010 killings of Jack Bezner, 71, and his 64-year-old wife, Susan.

Jurors also found true the special circumstance allegation of multiple murders, but rejected allegations that Lopez personally used a knife in the commission of the crimes.

Lopez's girlfriend, Sophia Cristo, who is now 21, was tried separately and convicted in March 2015 of first-degree murder. Jurors who heard the case against her found true the special circumstance allegations of multiple murders and murder while lying in wait, along with an allegation that she used a knife to kill Susan Bezner.

Cristo -- who was 14 at the time and lived with the couple and her father -- is still awaiting sentencing, but it is unclear exactly how long she will face behind bars because she was a juvenile at the time of the killings.
Deputy District Attorney Scott McPheron told jurors during Lopez's trial that the "heinous, gruesome" killings were premeditated.

"It was a planned act in a cowardly way while these people slept," the prosecutor said.
Cristo's grandfather was stabbed 47 times, and her grandmother suffered 112 knife wounds, the deputy district attorney said.

"(The) defendant was able to take Jack down with 47," the prosecutor said, telling jurors that Cristo's grandmother tried to fight back and that Lopez acknowledged helping Cristo with her grandmother. "They covered up the bodies as if they were sleeping to delay discovery."

The teen's grandfather had become aware about a week earlier that his checks were being forged and confronted her, the deputy district attorney said.

Lopez and Cristo were stopped a few days later in El Paso, Texas, McPheron told jurors.

Lopez's attorney, Simon Aval, urged jurors to acquit his client of the killings.

The defense lawyer argued that his client's statement to detectives about the crime was "not truthful."
"Just because he said something doesn't make it true," Aval told jurors. "I would submit to you that my client did not commit this crime."

He said there was "no physical evidence" linking Lopez to the bedroom or the couple's home.
The couple was found dead under a blanket in their bed by one of their sons after family members became concerned that a relative had not heard from them on the relative's birthday.

City News Service

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