New witness found in killing of girl, 9

Dan Kulin

Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2002 | 11:07 a.m.

A new witness has surfaced in the case against an alleged gang member charged with the drive-by shooting that left a 9-year-old North Las Vegas girl dead.

During a scheduled preliminary hearing this morning for Pascual Lozano, prosecutors said one witness in the case has not been found, but another has come forward.

"Since last week a witness has come forward and positively identified (the suspect) as the shooter," Chief Deputy District Attorney Ed Kane said in North Las Vegas Justice Court this morning.

Police identified the witness by listening to taped telephone conversations made from jail of three other men who were originally arrested for the crime but then released, Kane said.

The new witness, whom Kane would not identify, was not involved in the crime, but was "merely present at this time," he said.

Justice of the Peace Natalie Tyrrell continued the hearing until Nov. 14 to hear the testimony of that witness and another, who walked away from the courthouse last week before testifying. The hearing will determine whether the case goes to trial.

Authorities are still looking for Robert Valentine, an alleged gang member who Kane has said was the intended target of the shooting that killed Genesis Gonzalez on Sept. 7.

Lozano's bail remained at $1 million.

Police and Kane allege that Lozano shot at Valentine after Valentine flashed gang signs at him. The bullets instead struck Genesis and her younger sister, Heidi, who were outside their home in the 3400 block of Civic Center Drive. Heidi survived her wound.