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CNN Live Today

Man Authorities Believe Killed Samantha Runnion Expected to be Formally Charged

Aired July 22, 2002 - 14:11   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: A little bit more than two hours from now, the man authorities believe killed Samantha Runnion is expected to be formally charged, and prosecutors are considering his possible punishment if convicted.

CNN's Rusty Dornin is outside the courthouse in Santa Ana, California, and I'm curious, Rusty, how many people do want the death penalty.

RUSTY DORNIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It's -- obviously this community was outraged by what happened. It threatened just the feelings of safety they have for their children, having it happen in the middle of daylight. But the DA here really wants to talk to the family and find out what their feeling are before making any decision in this case, and he says he will review that before they announce their decision whether or not day will seek the death penalty.

In the meantime, Alejandro Avila is scheduled to face charges for kidnapping, sexual assault and the murder of 5-year-old Samantha Runnion. However, he will not physically be in court. Apparently, they will do by closed-circuit television. He will be in an Orange County jail. It is not for security reasons, but that's a common practice in Orange County.

In the meantime, Sheriff Mike Carona has said he feels he's turning over an airtight case to prosecutors, that he's 100 percent certain they do have their man, based on several tips from the public, as well as physical evidence left at the crime scene and the kidnapping scene, which includes apparently some DNA evidence, but which he would not elaborate about.

In the meantime, at the apartment complex, there was a shrine that was devoted to Samantha Runnion. There asking that they be shut down. They want to get some kind of closure, and I guess so kids can come back and play their once again. It will take a long time for this community can have any sense of closure. It will be a long time before parents will feel safe having kids play in the backyard in the middle of broad daylight. Funeral services for Samantha Runnion have yet to be announced -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Rusty, also, for the first time, it was pretty emotional, we heard from Samantha Runnion's mother. DORNIN: She really -- I think -- there was a vigil Saturday night at the apartment complex. And over 1,000 people had come by to donate just these giant stuffed bears, and cards, and there have been such an outpouring of grief for her, and sympathy about what happened to her daughter, that I think she felt in seclusion all week. She really wanted to come forward and thank people for that.

PHILLIPS: Rusty Dornin, we'll be following the story as it continues there at the courthouse in Santa Ana.

Thanks, Rusty.

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