Slayings tied to 'Traffic' cartel

The trial itself, which begins today, may reveal sordid details of a web of crime that both began and ended on that day in January. Prosecutors hope to convince the jury that the four men were killed in a premeditated drug hit in the apartment they rented solely for drug deals. Earlier this year, the alleged ringleader reportedly died in a gun battle in Mexico and defense attorneys hinted that one victim's family is responsible for his demise.

Valenzuela's defense team said his claim to the cartel could be nothing more than an idle boast as attorneys haggled yesterday over what evidence a jury will hear about the quadruple murders and their connection to the drug underworld.

The San Bruno apartment was specifically rented for drug trafficking, prosecutor Al Giannini said. That theory is bolstered by the discovery of $250,000 in cocaine in the apartment's kitchen along with the bodies of Javier Vaca, 21, of Daly City and Mexican nationals Jose Alberto Munoz-Lopez, 21, Emilio Alba-Flores, 20, and Roberto Ramos-Guerro, 18. On Jan. 11, 2002, all four were discovered shot in the back of the head in various rooms. Three of the victims had their hands tied behind their backs with plastic zip ties. Four guns were used in the murders, but none were ever found.

A month after the deaths, Valenzuela and Raul Campos, 20, were arrested. Suspects Lazaro Perez, 24, and Jorge "Chico" Hernandez, 23, were never arrested and Perez remains at large. Hernandez was the alleged ringleader.

Although the murders were also classified as drug-related, details are only now emerging about the exact motive. Prosecutors want to prove that all four Southern California men drove to the Evergreen Ridge apartments in San Bruno because Hernandez felt Vaca owed him money. Vaca's wife can testify that he already paid Hernandez's boss in Mexico and felt the debt was paid, Giannini said.

Valenzuela didn't know the trip to San Bruno was supposed to end in murder, his defense counters. Without Hernandez, there may be little proof to show otherwise.

Prosecutors are unable to use phone calls between Hernandez and Vaca that reportedly establish a drug connection. Vaca's wife listened in on some of the calls and can testify that in November 2001, Hernandez threatened to bring men from Los Angeles to San Bruno to kill him. Hall, though, said there is no way to prove the conversation because Hernandez and Vaca are unavailable for questioning about Valenzuela's direct involvement.

If convicted of four counts of first-degree murder and four gun possession charges, Valenzuela will spend the rest of his life in prison. Campos faces trial on the same charges later this year.

Valenzuela remains in custody on no-bail status.

Michelle Durand can be reached by e-mail: michelle@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 104. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.