Death penalty eyed in child’s killing

Kim Smith

Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2002 | 9:36 a.m.

A committee of prosecutors will be asked to decide within the next three weeks if a 22-year-old suspected gang member should face the death penalty in the death of a 9-year-old North Las Vegas girl.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Ed Kane said that "without a doubt" he will ask for permission to pursue the death penalty for Pascual Lozano.

At least three factors make the Lozano case a death penalty case, Kane said. Lozano has a past conviction for a violent crime, he reportedly endangered more than one person during the event and his alleged victim, Genesis Estrada, was under the age of 14.

Police believe Lozano was traveling in a car with three black men Sept. 7 when they saw a man from a rival gang passing by on a bicycle. The men flashed gang signs at the bicyclist, then one of the men got out of the car and began firing at the bicyclist, police allege.

One of the shots struck and killed Genesis Estrada, killing her, and another shot hit her 8-year-old sister, Heidi, in the thigh.

Witnesses said the shooter was Hispanic and Lozano was the only Hispanic in the car. Charges against three black men also in the car were dismissed Tuesday because of a lack of evidence.

Lozano's preliminary hearing will be held Oct. 1.