Evidence Claimed in Killing of 4

The new prosecutor in the murder case against Monica Diaz and Michael Naranjo, who stand accused of killing four members of Diaz’s family and attempting to kill a fifth member, said at a court hearing Tuesday that he will offer at trial a statement made by Naranjo “where he states exactly how he killed each of the victims.”

Deputy Dist. Atty. Kevin McCormick would not elaborate on his evidence. McCormick recently took over the case from Deputy Dist. Atty. Craig Hum, who is rotating out of the D.A.’s major crimes unit for the Torrance branch.

Diaz, now 19, was living with her aunt and uncle, Sylvia and Richard Flores, and her cousins when the couple and three of their four children were stabbed in their beds one morning three years ago this month. Sylvia Flores survived the attack. Diaz and Naranjo, her high school boyfriend, have pleaded not guilty.

Judge Larry Knupp has told the lawyers several times that he wants a trial to start as soon as possible. On Tuesday, Deputy Public Defender Charles Cervantes, who represents Naranjo, said he would be willing to “push forward within 30 days” if the prosecutor was ready. Knupp set the next court date for Aug. 18.

McCormick later said that he is just beginning to go through the case documents, but that he thinks he could be ready for trial in 30 days.