Pacoima Girl, 17, Guilty of Manslaughter in Gang Death

A 17-year-old Pacoima girl pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in San Fernando Municipal Court on Thursday for her role in a gang-related killing at a convenience store parking lot Feb. 16.

Althena Rubalcaba took a gun from her car in the lot at Laurel Canyon Boulevard and Terra Bella Street and gave it to a 14-year-old boy, who carried it to Gerardo Gomez Flores, 28, authorities said.

Flores approached another car and asked the occupants where they were from.

When they mentioned a rival gang, Flores fatally shot John Duarte Jr., 16, a Monroe High School student, as he sat in the car, said Deputy Dist. Atty. Edward Nison.

After the shooting, Rubalcaba and Flores drove away, Nison said. She was arrested several days later after authorities tracked down her car. Flores, who has not been located, is believed to be in Mexico.

Rubalcaba was originally charged with murder, but Nison said the charges were reduced because there was no evidence that Rubalcaba knew that Flores would kill anyone.

Deputy Public Defender Nelda K. Barrett said of her client: “I think it is really sad that she has to take the blame for a coldblooded killer.”

Rubalcaba, who was ordered to stand trial as an adult, faces a maximum sentence of 12 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled Sept. 21.

The 14-year-old, who was not named because of his age, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in Sylmar Juvenile Court earlier this month.