Judge rules in Pinyon Pines cold-case triple homicide

There was big news surrounding the Pinyon Pines triple-homicide cold case Sunday when Riverside County Superior Court Judge Bernard Schwartz denied a motion to dismiss the case based on allegations of prejudice and ruled that there is sufficient evidence for Robert Lars Pape and Cristin Conrad Smith, both 28, to stand trial on all charges.

It was the fourth and final day of a preliminary hearing inside the Riverside County Hall of Justice. Judge Schwartz ruled there was reasonable and probable cause to believe Pape and Smith may have committed the crimes based on new evidence and courtroom testimony heard in the hearing.

The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office told CBS Local 2’s and KESQ News Channel 3’s Katie Widner it was a small victory in a much bigger battle.

“Well, this is the first step to a long process in this case,” said John Hall, public information officer for the DA’s office. “The judge found sufficient evidence to hold both defendants to answer and go to trial on all charges in this case. It’s a long time coming, obviously, and we’re glad that this part is done, but we still have a long way to go.”

Pape’s attorney Jeff Moore did not want to go on-camera after the hearing, but promised there would be more evidence presented during trial.

The DA’s office said it only presented a portion of the evidence in this case at the preliminary hearing.

The men are charged with three counts of murder, with a special circumstance allegation of committing multiple murders. The charges were filed by the DA’s office against Pape and Smith on June 8. The special circumstance allegation makes Pape eligible for the death penalty. The DA’s office said District Attorney Mike Hestrin will make that decision as to whether they will seek it at a later date. Smith was a juvenile at the time of the murders, therefore he is not eligible for the death penalty, but faces life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Both defendants were denied bond. An informational hearing is scheduled for Nov. 15. A trial is expected to begin within four months to a year.

The murders occurred in September 2006. The charred bodies of 18-year-old Rebecca “Becky” Friedli, her mother Vicki Friedli, and Vicki’s boyfriend Jon Hayward, were discovered at a residence in the small mountain community of Pinyon Pines.

At about 9:50 p.m., firefighters were called to a residential structure fire in the 68000 block of Alpine Drive in Pinyon Pines. Firefighters found Becky Friedli’s body on fire in a wheelbarrow near the home. After extinguishing the house fire, firefighters found the bodies of Vicki Friedli and Hayward inside the residence.

The case is being prosecuted by Chief Assistant District Attorney John Aki and Supervising Deputy District Attorney Brandon Smith.