DA PACHECO SEEKS DEATH PENALTY AGAINST RIVERSIDE GANG MEMBER WHO KILLED INNOCENT 13-YEAR-OLD BOY IN DRIVE-BY

RIVERSIDE - Riverside County District Attorney Rod Pacheco is seeking the death penalty against Daniel Murillo Salgado, a known Riverside gang member who shot and killed a 13- year-old boy in 2002.

Markess Lancaster was killed on Oct. 5, 2002, as he and two friends rode in a car near the intersection of Central and Hillside in the city of Riverside. The boys were on their way to watch a local football game but first stopped at a store to get a soda. As they drove from the store, a carload of Latinos drove slowly past them, flashing gang signs for "East Side Riva," a very violent criminal street gang in Riverside.

Then, in broad daylight and in a residential neighborhood, Salgado fired five or six shots at the car Markess and his friends were in. One shot hit Markess in the chest, killing him. Several rounds also hit the walls of a home, but did go through or hit anyone inside.

On May 18, 2009, Salgado was held to answer by a Riverside County Superior Court judge following a preliminary hearing. Salgado must now stand trial on one count of murder, one count of shooting at an inhabited building, two counts of attempted murder and one count of firing a firearm from a vehicle. He also faces enhancements which include committing a crime to benefit a criminal street gang.

The District Attorney made the final decision to seek death this morning upon the completion of the death penalty review process. The process includes a meeting between the District Attorney and the victim's family members as well as a meeting between the District Attorney and the defense attorney. After those meetings, the District Attorney discusses the facts and circumstances of the case with senior level attorneys, investigators, and victim advocates at the District Attorney's Office before arriving at the final decision.

The driver of the car Salgado fired from, Zeus Serrano, also faces the death penalty. Another gang member in the car that day, Ricardo Ruiz, was sentenced in May 2009 to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The case, RIF148839, is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Samah Shouka.