Day 8 of La Mesa Street Murder Trial: Victims were moved by one suspect, according to detective

Taking money from the family wasn’t a motive for the suspect in the La Mesa Street Murders, according to Homicide Detective Clay Pouquette.

Retired Yuma Police Department Homicide Detective Pouquette was back on the stand Monday to testify regarding evidence collected during the autopsies of the victims.

Pouquette told Prosecutor Karolyn Kaczorowski that 29-year-old Adrienne Heredia’s jewelry, including a gold necklace, and a $100 bill were found in her possession by detectives, indicating the murderer wasn’t interested in any monetary gains.

“Her necklace was still on indicating taking it was not a priority for the suspect,” explained Pouquette.

Likewise, Pouquette said Luis Rios had a gold chain around his neck that was left intact.

Moreover, Pouquette testified of the positions in which the victims’ bodies were found.

Adrienne Heredia was found in the home’s master bedroom, near 6-year-old Danny Heredia’s body. Pouquette said that Adrienne’s body appeared to have been dragged.

According to Pouqette, Heredia was found with her pants partially pulled down and her shirt pulled up, but there were no signs of sexual trauma.

“The movement of the victim wasn’t quite as easy. The victim looked like she was dragged by the pants, explaining why they were pulled down and her shirt pulled up, ” said Pouquette, “Simply by her size, being an adult female, she would have been more difficult to move than a 9-year-old girl or a 12-year-old boy.”

According to Pouquette, Heredia was found in an unnatural position, another indication that her body was moved. Heredia’s left arm was behind her back.

“Heredia displayed certain bruises and contusions, which could be interpreted as defensive in nature, ” said Pouquette.

Heredia’s skin also showed a purplish darkening or signs of lividity, livor mortis, According to Pouquette. Livor mortis is a sign of death indicating the settling of the blood causing a purplish-red discoloration of the skin.

A juror also raised the question of Heredia possibly being dragged by two people.

“To me it appeared more consistent with one person moving her,” Pouquette replied.

Moreover, 13-year-old Andreas Crawford and 12-year-old Enrique Bedoya’s autopsies also showed signs of lividity, said Pouquette.

Bedoya and Crawford were found together in another room.

According to Pouquette, Crawford was found face down with his hands tied behind his back. Like his youngest brother, six-year-old Danny Heredia, Crawford’s hands and feet had ligature marks.

“He also had a small abrasion behind his left shoulder,” according to Pouquette.

Pouquette said a white sock was also stuck to the back of Crawford’s pants.

“I found it odd. I believe the sock was maybe wet at one time point which caused it to stick,” said Pouquette.

Bedoya was found with his knees in an upright position, according to Pouquette.

“The position of his body appeared to be consistent with being carried,” said Pouquette.

According to Pouquette, nine-year-old Inez Newman’s body was found in yet another room, face down.

Newman’s feet were also crossed. Newman had ligature marks on her arms, according to Pouquette, who said she also had a marking on her back.

“I wouldn’t describe as an injury. It was more the appearance that she was lying on something on her back, or she had something tied around her at one point,” Pouquette explained.

Luis Rios’s autopsy showed he received gun-shot wounds on the forehead, left arm, chest and lower left abdomen near the back, according to Pouquette.

During the autopsy Pouquette said detectives also recovered more cord bindings tied around Rios’ right wrist. Rios’s feet also showed ligature marks.

“There was indication that there was something around his neck at one time,” said Pouquette.

Pouquette also said that signs in the master bedroom indicated there was some type of struggle or physical aggression that took place.

“But, the types of damages were not to the extent of what would be expected to be seen in a struggle between two grown men,” explained Pouquette,”I would expect to see more damage in a struggle between two men.”

The prosecution also tried to question Pouquette as to whether he thought that the victims bindings were tied in a similar fashion. Pouquette replied he didn’t have a lot of knowledge on the different types of knots.

“I would say it’s a fair statement, but more the position of the bindings would lead to believe there were similarities,” explained Pouquette.

The prosecution further pressed to know if Pouquette believed the murderer acted alone, based on the similarities in which the victims were bound.

“It’s a definite possibility but not to the extent that I cold make a decision,” said Pouquette.

The prosecution also questioned Pouquette about the processing family’s vehicles.

Luis Rios’ Dodge Durango was reported missing and later found near Sanguinetti Park.

Two sets of keys were found inside.

Furthermore, a Chrysler PT Cruiser, often driven by Adrienne Heredia, was in the home’s driveway.

Pouquette said a deposit slip with more than $22,000 worth of check deposits was found inside.

“Upon first glance at it, it would seem a likely item for a suspect to take, but it was left there,” said Pouquette.