At 10 a.m., District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer will held a press conference to discuss the arrests of the adoptive parents of missing California City boys Orrin and Orson West.
Zimmer stated that the investigation revealed the boys died three months before they were reported missing.
BPD Chief Greg Terry was in attendance, as was retiring California City Police Chief Jon Walker and BPD Robert Pair.
Zimmer stated that while Orrin and Orson West’s remains have not been located, this does not necessarily prevent prosecution. She added that she is aware of two successful no-body prosecutions in Kern County and believes there are others.
Trezell and Jacqueline West were charged Tuesday with two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of child cruelty, and filing a false emergency report. They were apprehended shortly after 7:00 p.m. in western Kern County.
The adoptive parents are charged with the boys’ deaths in the indictment. The first two charges — the murder charges — carry a maximum sentence of 30 years to life in prison. Willful cruelty charges carry a maximum sentence of six years in prison.
The grand jury returned a “true bill” on the defendants’ indictment, and Judge Colette M. Humphrey issued an arrest warrant for them. The indictment took three months to complete.
Zimmer stated that she is unable to discuss the case’s evidence, but there was sufficient immediate and circumstantial evidence to reassure the grand jury that a murder took place.
Jaqueline and Trezell West are scheduled to appear in court Thursday to be formally arraigned.
The Wests’ other four children remain in protective custody.
Source: KGET
