EX-MARINE FROM VIRGINIA PLEADS GUILTY TO MURDER IN THE DEATHS OF TWO LIVERY CAB DRIVERS

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced today that Roberto Mayen of Virginia, has been convicted of murder in the first and second degrees for shooting two livery cab drivers to death, in separate incidents, on October 19, 2002.

Mayen, 27, of Woodbridge, Virginia, pled guilty to 1 count of Murder in the 1st degree in the shooting death of Kleber Valencia, 29, and 1 count of Murder in the 2nd degree in the death of Joe Robles. The shootings apparently were unprovoked and no explanation regarding the motive for the murders was provided.

Acting State Supreme Court Justice William Mogelescu set sentencing for Tuesday, January 27, 2004 in Part M30. The judge has indicated that he will sentence the defendant to concurrent terms of 25 years to life imprisonment for both counts of murder, although the People are recommending that the defendant be sentenced to a term of 30 years to life.

Mayen gunned down his victims with a 9 mm semi-automatic pistol. Robles was shot first, at the intersection of Commonwealth and Westchester Avenues, at approximately 7:30 PM, on October 19, 2002. A short time later, Mayen shot Valencia with the same weapon in front of 447 White Plains Road. The defendant fled to Canada and was apprehended in Maine the next morning when he returned to the United States.

Assistant District Attorney, Daniel McCarthy, Chief Trial Counsel and Director of Training is prosecuting this case.