Teen Girl Charged as Adult in Double Murder

Rosemead - The 14-year-old granddaughter of a slain Rosemead couple was charged as an adult today with two counts of murder.

Sophia Janalisa Cristo and her 21-year-old boyfriend, Rodolfo Lopez, were arrested Wednesday in Horizon City, Texas, in connection with the deaths of Jack Bezner, 71, and his 64-year-old wife Susan. The couple were found stabbed to death Monday in their bed inside their home in the 4200 block of Arica Avenue.

Lopez was charged with two counts of murder Wednesday.

The criminal complaint includes the special circumstance of multiple murders, but only Lopez could face a possible death sentence. Because of her age, Cristo is not eligible for the death penalty, according to the District Attorney's Office. Prosecutors will decide at a later date whether to seek the death penalty for Lopez.

Detectives learned Lopez and the girl might be on their way to Texas in the Bezners' missing Nissan sport utility vehicle, and issued a multi-state bulletin, said Capt. Michael Parker of the Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau.

Horizon City is in west Texas, just east of El Paso and Ciudad Juarez.

According to the District Attorney's Office, Cristo could be returned to Los Angeles as early as Monday to face arraignment. The timing of Lopez's return will depend on whether he opts to challenge extradition to California.

Both defendants are being held without bail.