D.A. to honor victims of violent crime

Riverside County District Attorney Paul Zellerbach will pay tribute to victims of violent crime at a candlelight vigil in Palm Desert tonight.

April 21-27 is National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, which the D.A.’s
office recognizes annually with special events. This year, candlelight vigils
are being held as part of remembrance services scheduled in Palm Desert,
Riverside and Temecula.

Zellerbach will host each of the ceremonies, during which family members
of county residents slain in crimes going back 18 years will speak.

Tonight’s vigil begins at 7 at the Palm Desert Civic Center amphitheater, 43-900 San Pablo St. The mother of 17-year-old Jahi Lateef Collins, who was fatally shot during a 1994 attack in Desert Hot Springs, will speak. Her son’s murderer, Emilio Avalos, was sentenced to death earlier this year.

The Temecula and Riverside events are scheduled on Wednesday and
Thursday, respectively.