Littlerock Teen’s murder trial set
Psych evaluation possible for Liner
LANCASTER, Calif.—Lonnie Liner, the 16-year-old boy accused of fatally stabbing his 11-year-old cousin, Dahlia Lenaris, and critically wounding her 14-year-old sister in a Littlerock home, pleaded not guilty last Thursday at the Antelope Valley Superior Court. He has been charged with one count each of murder and attempted murder.
Lenaris, whose throat was slashed, was pronounced dead by paramedics sent to the home in the 10300 block of East Avenue R-14 about 7:45 a.m. Aug. 3.
If convicted, Liner could face a maximum of a two life sentences in prison. Bail is set for $2.04 million.
Detective Bill Marsh, one of two lead investigators in the case, said this particular murder is especially “unusual and tragic.”
“This is one of the worse (cases), meaning the family ties makes it one of the worst. We’re talking about cousins,” Marsh said. “All murders are terrible. I don’t like to place them on a hierarchy, but this was extremely difficult to understand in many ways. There is no logic behind it.”
According to Marsh, Liner was under the care of his maternal grandmother, at the time of the crime. His biological mother is deceased. A motive has not been released, pending further investigation and trial. The family commented early in the investigation that there were no signs Liner displayed that would indicate this sort of behavior was possible.
James Monahan, associate criminal justice professor at University of New Haven and clinical psychologist, says a number of factors may have contributed to Liner’s actions. He said that it is extremely rare that a child would murder another child, let alone a relative in this way.
“I put no faith into families who say, ‘Well, we didn’t see any signs of this coming.’ It’s extremely difficult to look objectively into your own family,” explained the Connecticut professor, adding that the teen needs to be evaluated by a mental health professional.
Monahan suggested the death of his mother may have factored into the equation, however, due to the lack of undisclosed information surrounding the case, only professional speculation can be made.
“The other thing is, I have no idea of what his diet is like. Oftentimes, kids who ingest too much sugar are prone to impulsive acts,” the professor explained.
Monahan also asserted that a possible factor could be that a family member sexually or physically abused Liner.
“I think of regardless of what happens in the future, this is going to devastate the family, certainly his own relatives,” he said. “I would probably suggest, when it comes to prison or if he is sent to a mental hospital, the other family members be afforded some sort of counseling to get through this emotionally.”
Det. Marsh said a psychological evaluation is possible, but that is up to the defense to carry out the action. Liner’s public defender, Rosario Corona, has not returned calls regarding the case.
City News Service contributed to this story.
LOS ANGELES, Calif.—A state appellate court panel is set next month to hear arguments in the case of an ex-security guard convicted of murdering an 18-year-old woman in a Palmdale park-and-ride lot, where he worked more than a decade ago.
On Oct. 27, the three-justice panel from the 2nd District Court of Appeal is set to consider an appeal filed on behalf of Raymond Lee Jennings, who was convicted in December 2009 of second-degree murder for the Feb. 22, 2000, slaying of Antelope Valley College student Michelle O’Keefe.
LANCASTER, Calif.—A Quartz Hill woman was sentenced today to 25 years to life in prison for the March 2009 death of her 18-month-old daughter, whom she initially claimed was taken from her in a violent kidnapping.
Superior Court Judge Hayden Zacky imposed the term on Stacey Marie Barker, 26, who was convicted May 24 of first-degree murder, assault on a child causing death and child abuse for the March 18, 2009, slaying of her daughter, Emma.
LANCASTER, Calif.—A Quartz Hill woman convicted of murder and other charges in the death of her 18-month-old daughter, whom she initially claimed was taken from her in a violent kidnapping, is facing a 25-year-to-life prison term.
Stacey Marie Barker, now 26, is set to be sentenced June 17 by Superior Court Judge Hayden Zacky for the March 18, 2009, slaying of her daughter, Emma.
LANCASTER, Calif.—Inside a courtroom at the Michael Antonovich AV Courthouse last Thursday, 16-year-old murder suspect Lonnie Liner sat next to his public defender looking for familiar faces in the audience. They were nowhere to be found.
Liner’s family usually comes to each of his hearings, but this time it appeared as if they missed the appointment.
LANCASTER, Calif.—Sheriff's deputies today announced a $5,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of whoever killed a 14-year-old girl and wounded six people at a Sept. 5 party in Lancaster.
Dominique Peatry of Lancaster was killed and two other females and four males, 13-26 years old, were shot near Nugent Street and Sixth Street East early that Sunday, Nicole Nishida of the sheriff's department said.
