D.A. will not pursue death penalty in pregnant teen murder trial

COSTA MESA -- Prosecutors will not pursue the death penalty in the trial

of the man accused in the shooting death of a 15-year-old Costa Mesa girl

and her unborn baby.

Paul Odwald, a senior deputy district attorney, said there has been a

slew of additional charges filed against Guerrero, including committing

murder for the benefit of a street gang.

Balbuena died at Hoag Hospital a few hours after Guerrero allegedly shot

into a converted garage apartment as the young mother-to-be ate dinner

with her family.

Police investigators said Guerrero intended to kill either the girl’s

brother, Armando Balbuena, or her fiance, Omar Garcia, who are both

allegedly members of a rival gang.

Guerrero is being held at Orange County Jail, where he has been since

June 1999.

-- Sue Doyle