More delays in Pinyon Pines triple murder case

The ex-boyfriend of a young woman killed in a 2006 triple murder in Pinyon Pines appeared in court Friday morning, but Robert Pape’s arraignment and bail hearing were delayed until later this month.

Pape was arrested in March along with co-defendant Cristin Conrad Smith, and charged with the Sept. 17, 2006, killings of Vicki Friedli, 53, her boyfriend Jon Hayward, 55, and her 18-year-old daughter Becky, at their Alpine Drive home.

Pape and Smith both appeared in court Friday in Indio but there wasn’t much progress in either case.

Smith’s trail readiness conference and motion to dismiss were continued until June 20. He also needs to be seen by a doctor at the jail because of a lump on his chest.

Pape’s attorney is upset because he said he’s still waiting to receive documents of discovery he requested from the D.A. The judge ruled in his favor and granted a continuance until June 27.

Victim John Hayward’s daughter Katie didn’t want to appear on camera, but she told News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2, “We are very frustrated this is taking so long. The defense continues to delay this case.”

The last time Pape was in court was May 16. At that time his attorney Richard Blumenfeld said he couldn’t proceed to arraignment without a list of items yet to be received from the prosecution.

“They’ve had eight years to prepare their case, there is no legitimate reason we shouldn’t have (those items),” Blumenfeld said.

Deputy District Attorney Scot Clark said he had just finished another murder trial and could now work on the case full time.

“Mr. Clark says he’s been in trial — that’s no excuse. My client is sitting in custody on an eight-year-old case,” said Blumenfeld, who said he asked for the information in April.

On May 16, Clark said he would get the information to Blumenfeld in a week.

Continue to follow News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 as the case continues to develop.