Man convicted of murder for strangling, beating roommate in Thousand Palms

A man who beat and strangled his roommate at her Thousand Palms home, leaving her with traumatic injuries that later killed her, was convicted of murder today.

Jurors deliberated for about one day before finding Juan Inzunza, 34, guilty in the death of 56-year-old Victoria Supola, who was found lying halfway out of her trailer at 73742 Pacheta Square on the morning of June 3, 2014. He’s slated to be sentenced on April 27.

Supola was taken to Eisenhower Medical Center, where she died within hours. She suffered numerous injuries, but a ruptured renal artery caused by blunt force blows was determined as the cause of death, according to Deputy District Attorney Jacob Silva. The prosecutor told jurors that Supola had “intense red marks around her throat from ear to ear” consistent with strangulation.

She told a neighbor who found her, as well as transporting firefighters and paramedics that “Juan did this,” according to Silva.

Inzunza had been renting out a room at the trailer for several weeks prior to her death.

Defense attorney John Dolan alleged that the victim’s credibility was tainted by drug use, while another witness who placed his client at the scene is a convicted felon whose statements also could not be trusted.

An autopsy showed that Supola had methamphetamine, amphetamines and Lorazepam in her blood, according to Dolan, who also told the jury that she was “slipping in and out of consciousness” when the statements against Inzunza were made.

Supola’s friend, Edward Peirce, came to the trailer on the morning of June 3 to repair her shower and was invited in by Inzunza, who said Supola had suffered a stroke.

When Peirce found Supola lying facedown in her bedroom, he was punched in the back of the head by Inzunza, triggering a fight, Silva told jurors. The attack ended with Inzunza locking himself inside a bedroom, while Peirce left, but didn’t report the incident to police because he thought he was being “set up” by Inzunza and Supola, Silva said.

Dolan said Peirce was the only person who said Inzunza was at the trailer on June 3, and the attorney said his credibility was further weakened by his criminal history. Peirce is currently serving a prison term for possession of child pornography, domestic violence and drug possession.

“No one places Mr. Inzunza there on that morning,” Dolan said, other than Peirce.

Inzunza was arrested eight days later on San Miguelito Drive in Thousand Palms after he fled from deputies who wanted to question him.

In addition to murder, jurors also found Inzunza guilty of a misdemeanor assault count. Inzunza also pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of resisting arrest shortly before the trial started.