Hearing continues for four former Marines accused of killing a Winchester couple in October
FRENCH VALLEY -- Wedding rings belonging to a slain Marine and his wife were found in the homes of two of the four former Marines charged with their October deaths, detectives testified Tuesday.
A wedding band and man's bracelet belonging to Sgt. Jan Pietrzak were found in defendant Tyrone Miller's home, while Quiana Jenkins-Pietrzak's ring set was found in the Fallbrook home of Kesaun Sykes, testified detectives Ben Ramirez and Randall Wortman.
Testimony from the Riverside County sheriff's investigators came during the fourth day of a preliminary hearing that has stretched out in part because of scheduling conflicts, given the number of lawyers involved.
Defendants Emrys Justin John, 19; Kevin Cox, 21;  Miller, 21; and Sykes, 22, could face the death penalty if convicted of two counts of murder and other charges in connection with the October deaths of  Sgt. Pietrzak, 24, and 26-year-old Jenkins-Pietrzak.
The couple were found shot execution-style inside their Winchester home. Sgt. Pietrzak was shot three times while Jenkins-Pietrzak was shot twice, Ramirez testified.
The preliminary hearing, which started in April, is scheduled to resume in August and conclude with testimony from a detective who was unavailable Tuesday.
At the close of the hearing, Riverside County Superior Court Judge Judith Clark will decide whether there is enough evidence to order the defendants to stand trial as charged.
In addition to murder, the defendants are charged with enhancements that allege they committed multiple murders, committed murder during the commission of a robbery, and that Jenkins-Pietrzak was sexually assaulted with her murder, according to court records.
Sgt. Pietrzak's wedding band, a bracelet, and his necklace with the image of the Virgin Mary were found in Miller's home, Ramirez testified.
In addition to jewelry, Detective Ramirez testified, they also found four 9 mm bullet casings and 9 mm handguns.
The casings from the five bullets fired at the Pietrzaks were not found at the couple's home, he said.
Miller did not like Sgt. Pietrzak, according to testimony from former Marine Justin Weissinger.
Miller worked for Pietrzak and the two had a few run-ins, Weissinger testified during a prior session of the hearing.
When police searched Sykes' apartment, they found Jenkins-Pietrzak's engagement and wedding rings on the kitchen counter.
Investigators also located a wooden jewelry box in the hall closet, Wortman testified. Inside the box was a piece of paper with a handwritten notation at the top that read: "College of natural science." It had a phone number with a 909 area code. The paper appeared to be a receipt from the Riverside County's Black Infant Health Program.
"I know Quiana Jenkins-Pietrzak worked there and was a college student at Cal State San Bernardino," Wortman testified.
Authorities also found a woman's Movado watch and a necklace with three diamonds in it inside Sykes' home, Wortman testified.
The victims' mothers confirmed the wedding rings belonged to the couple, Ramirez said.
In the hours after authorities believe the couple died, someone used Jenkins-Pietrzak's bank card in Fallbrook and withdrew about $400, Wortman testified.
Pictures taken show a person whose face and head is covered by bandannas and a gloved hand, Investigator James Campos testified.
The hearing is scheduled to resume Aug. 8 at the Southwest Justice Center in French Valley.
Posted in Swcounty on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 12:00 am Updated: 3:42 am. | Tags: T.marineswrap.0701, Top, Cal, News, Regional, Z.google.community_news, Z.google.local, Z.google.region, Z.google.riverside, Z.google.temecula
© Copyright 2009, North County Times - Californian, Escondido, CA | Terms of Service and Privacy Policy