The fatal stabbing of a woman in Venice was under investigation Tuesday. Photo via OnScene.TV.
A 17-year-old girl charged with two counts of murder in the stabbing deaths of a pregnant mother and her unborn fetus in Venice remained in juvenile detention Monday.
The teen, whose name was withheld, denied the charges Friday and was ordered to return to juvenile court Jan. 10, when a date is expected to be set for a fitness hearing.
Prosecutors would like to charge her as an adult, but it will be up to a judge at the fitness hearing to decide whether that is appropriate given the circumstances and gravity of the offense and the teen’s history.
Proposition 57, approved by voters Nov. 8, takes away prosecutorial discretion in such cases.
The girl was arrested Nov. 30 on suspicion of the Nov. 21 slaying of Jasmine Angelica Preciado.
Two women and one man were initially suspected of fighting with the 22- year-old Inglewood mother the night she was found with stab wounds at 80 Windward Ave., according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
Arriving officers saw the mortally injured woman being held by witnesses. She was treated by Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics before being taken to a hospital, where she died, LAPD Lt. John Radtke said.
A black SUV that matched the description of the one tied to the stabbing was found a day later in the 900 block of Millwood Avenue in Venice but police did not find any suspects.
Family members told reporters that Preciado was three months pregnant and the mother of a 3-year-old girl.
—City News Service
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