KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
A man accused of killing his former Hart High classmate in a cold-blooded murder pleaded no contest Monday, prosecutors said.
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The terms of the plea deal mean Aldana is expected to serve 10 years in prison, according to officials.
Aldana, who was initially facing 40 years to life in prison as part of a second-degree murder charge, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter with a special circumstance.
David Aldana, a 2012 graduate of Hart High, was accused of killing Maximiliano Bernal, a longtime friend of Aldana’s who ended up at Bowman High, although the two started together as Indians in 2009.
Homicide detectives accused Aldana of driving with Bernal to a deserted stretch of Sand Canyon Road, shooting his friend in the head and then pushing his body out of the car and into a ditch, according to officials.
Investigators found Bernal’s body near a gravel and dirt turnout on Sand Canyon Road at mile marker 7.98, Hernandez said.
Prosecutors were ready to take the case to trial when an 11th hour plea deal was struck, according to officials.
A motive was never discussed in open court, according to officials.
Detectives learned of the crime from Aldana’s confession, according to Homicide officials.
Aldana reportedly walked into the U.S. Port of Entry Customs Border Protection Office in San Ysidro and claimed that he had killed Bernal, 22, of Newhall, in the Canyon Country area, said Lt. Eddie Hernandez of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Homicide Bureau.
“Homicide detectives were dispatched to the office where (Aldana) was detained so they could interview the suspect,” said Hernandez. “During the interview, he agreed to show to detectives where he discarded the victim’s remains.”
The case was being prosecuted by Matthew Godnoy of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.
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Gotta love these “plea deals!” 2nd degree murder dropped to voluntary manslaughter with “special circumstances.”
10 years at the 11th hour…..
Stop the plea deals on these horrendous acts! Actions have consequences, and those actions don’t warrant a “deal!”
What was the “deal” for the victim and his family? A life sentence.
“Justice” is not only blind, but a disgrace!
If you read an article which framed this story as a man getting vigilante justice for the rape of his sister, you might be applauding the act. It’s a sad story, for everyone involved.
10 years for the premeditated cold blooded murder of a young man just starting in life is disgusting. No wonder the judicial system is held in such low regard.
In 10 years he’ll be out on the street as a hardened criminal and there will be other victims and whose fault will that be. The prosecutors need to act like they give a damn about the people they are supposed to be serving and protecting.
10 yrs is not enough! The young man was just starting
His life. And his childhood friend took it away. No plea
Deals!!!!!!!
If they don’t have the right fax they should not publish it fake new should be against the law
Does anyone know what the motive was, if any,? However no motive can justify such a heinous crime .
I believe, he claimed that his friend raped his little sister.
I heard Max molested Davids sister
The price of life is pretty cheap, 10 years for murder?? Disgraceful. One must wonder, why the DA’s office would offer such a plea.
He will be out in ten years, probably less, and kill again. His friends and family have made excuses for why David murdered someone. He is a murderer because he is a murderer. No excuse. If he will shoot his “longtime friend” in the head then what will he do to anybody else walking the earth? Karma will makes it’s mark someday.
I would of done the same if he would of raped my little sister .
This shows you how little value life means to the government that’s here to protect you. He will probably get an early release with good behavior. This was not justice for the victim, his family, friends or society.
Guy should rott in jail he deserves it
The only thing I can figure is there must have been some reason that we are not being told.
Too personal for open court or something. Prosecutors would have run with this case, first degree murder and been sentenced to life in prison or at least 25 years. Maybe avenging something we don’t know about or protecting himself or someone else we don’t know about. To say it in open court would smear the victim of the murder but there must have been something compelling or the Prosecutor would not have agreed to this deal.
If the victim did what what is alleged, then ten years is fine.
If not, this is a gross miscarriage of justice.
He raped his little sister
If the friend really raped his sister why were the police not involved?
You people dont even know this guy i first hand know the defendent on a personal level. I know murder is a big deal. they say theres no motive because that would just incriminate the defendent and most likely would of not had the “plea deal” of involentary man slaughter. David never had a criminal record which probably made him eligibale for the ten year sentence.
No one knows the details… all you know is what they feed you through this media but none of us can judge. Don’t wish bad on anyone on behalf of what they (fake news) wants you to think. Brainwashing is a thing these days.
He will always and forever remain a murder in gods eyes he has no forgiveness he wasn’t as they painted David out to be David was a gang banger hung out with gang bangers at his house and used all sorts of drugs he has family who are gang bangers he knows no better! He will get his one day!!
I’m coming back to this article because i was informed David Aldana is a free man while Max Bernal seized to exist at the age of 22 and shot in the head by someone he use to call his brother! Everyone in the city knew they were both on hardcore drugs it’s sad people came together to lie on David’s behave knowing very well he was a low life scum like his gang affiliated family members! I am disgusted,
i am appalled at this justice system! David you might have escaped justice on earth but soon you will face justice with god.
naht sure I really nah sure