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CNN Live Today

Avila to be Arraigned Today

Aired August 09, 2002 - 12:04   ET

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

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Well, another accused child killer is due in court in about 20 minutes. Alejandro Avila is scheduled to be arraigned on charges he kidnapped, raped, and murdered 5-year-old Samantha Runnion. There is also word that he may face new charges in connection with a previous molestation case. Avila was acquitted in that case involving two 9-year-old cousins. One was the daughter of his former fiance. For now, though, the focus is on who killed Samantha.
CNN's Eric Horng has that.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ERIC HORNG, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Since his arrest last month, Alejandro Avila has been held without bail at the Orange County Jail in Santa Ana. The 27-year-old factory worker charged with murder, kidnapping, and two counts of forcible lewd acts against a child.

Earlier this week, Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas said he would not accept a plea bargain in the case, and announced he will seek the ultimate punishment against Avila.

TONY RACKAUCKAS, ORANGE COUNTY DA: If there was ever a case where justice would be served by seeking the death penalty, this is the case.

HORNG: Before reaching that decision, the DA consulted with Avila's court-appointed attorney, as well as Samantha Runnion's mother. After the DA's announcement, Erin Runnion issued this statement through a spokesperson.

JIM AMORNMINO, RUNNION FAMILY SPOKESMAN: In our private meeting, he was forthright with the options available, and we expressed our gratitude and trust in his judgment and expertise in prosecuting this case.

HORNG: Avila has been in court before. A year and a half ago, he was acquitted of molesting two girls, the niece and daughter of his ex-fiancee.

BETH VEGLAHN, AVILA'S EX-FIANCEE: I told them that they made a mistake.

LARRY KING, HOST, "LARRY KING LIVE": You told the jurors?

VEGLAHN: Yes, and it is only a matter of time before he does it again.

HORNG: It's been nearly a month since 5-year-old Samantha was kidnapped from her Orange County housing complex, sexually molested, and murdered. Thousands attended an emotional funeral service, two days before Samantha was to turn 6.

(on camera): Avila has said he was at a shopping mall in another county at the time of the abduction, but authorities say they have DNA evidence and cell phone records that prove otherwise.

Eric Horng, CNN, Santa Ana, California.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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