Another trial unlikely in Resendiz murder

There apparently won't be another trial for the remaining defendants in the 1998 beating death of Sammy Resendiz.

The final four defendants -- Sylvia Fred, Elvin Fred, Fred Fred and Clint Malone -- are expected to plead guilty next week after the fourth defendant in as many days pleaded to a lesser charge Thursday.

Lew Dutchy, 28, pleaded guilty before District Judge Michael Griffin to felony battery causing substantial bodily harm with a deadly weapon. Dutchy faces two to 15 years in prison.

All of the defendants are expected to be sentenced in April.

In exchange for the plea, District Attorney Noel Waters dropped all other charges.

Dutchy was the oldest of 12 American Indian youths charged in the Round House Inn Motel room beating death of Resendiz and injury of Carlos Lainez on Aug. 23, 1998.

By pleading guilty, Dutchy admitted to using a "deadly weapon consisting of a heavy, metal chain" and "attacking and beating (Lainez) repeatedly," according to an amended criminal complaint filed Thursday.

The charge doesn't address Resendiz's killing.

The catalyst for the attack, Jessica Evans, pleaded guilty Wednesday to being a principal to battery with the use of a deadly weapon. She could receive probation or two to 15 years in prison.

According to prosecutors, Evans rallied her cousins and friends to return to the motel after she was slapped by purported gang member Israel Ralla during a party there.

When the group returned armed with bats, chains and clubs, Ralla was gone, and only Lainez, Resendiz and Carolee Simpson remained.

The group rushed into the room, and in less than a minute Lainez was beaten unconscious and Resendiz was mortally wounded. He died 13 hours later from head injuries.

Michael Kizer, 19, and Jaron Malone, 23, plead to lesser charges Monday. Alejandro Avila and David Moyle entered pleas early in the case, and Julian Contreras pleaded during Boice's trial in September.