4 ex-Marines ordered to trial in death of Marine, wife

Four ex-Marines have been ordered to stand trial for murder in the deaths of a Marine sergeant and his wife in the French Valley neighborhood of southern Riverside County.

Riverside County Superior Court Judge Judith Clark on Wednesday ordered Emrys John, 19; Kevin Cox, 21; Tyrone Miller, 21; and Kesaun Sykes, 22, to stand trial in the shooting deaths of Sgt. Jan Pietrzak, 24, and his wife, Quiana Jenkins-Pietrzak, 26. The four have pleaded not guilty.

Prosecutors allege the Oct. 15, 2008, slayings were part of a robbery scheme in which the four, who were in the Marine Corps at the time, burst into the family's home in search of money.

The two victims were bound and gagged before being shot; Jenkins-Pietrzak was raped while her husband was forced to watch, prosecutors said. A fire was set to destroy evidence, according to court documents.

Pietrzak, an Iraq war veteran, was stationed at Miramar Marine Corps Air Station in San Diego. His wife was a counselor with the Black Infant Health Program run by the Riverside County health department.

The couple had been married for two months. Two of the defendants worked with Pietrzak.

-- Tony Perry in San Diego

Photo: Quiana Jenkins-Pietrzak and Jan Pietrzak. Credit: Marine Corps Times

Comments

[Michael]

Another horrifying murder case which screams out for the death penalty. The four savages must be tried by the Marine Corps, I would think. It is tragic that the moment these ruthless thugs burst into the home they were not met by accurate devastating .40 cal. hollow point rounds blasting their gutless heads off. Sign me an army veteran, a Democrat and a pro-death penalty advocate. These savages are EVIL.

[Shag]

If they are guilty, let there be not doubt about their guilt, and then put them to death. A perpetrator of such a vicious crime should know no mercy.

[cynthia]

give them the death penalty those jerks deserve it they looked so happy and she was so beautiful look at her face its glowing of happiness in this picture may god hold them in his arms

[Michele]

Life in prison is a far more horrible punishment than quick death strapped to a table. We will afford them a trial, just to be on the safe side.

[derek neal]

i personally grew up with one of the defendents and know, without a doubt, that he is not evil, and should NOT get the death penalty. the triggerman/torturer is the only one that should face life or the death penalty. tyrone has a 1 yr old and a 2 yr old daughter that hes leaving behind. for them to grow up without a father for him being in the wrong place at the wrong time is real B.S. oh and for the racist part. im white!!!!!

[Randall]

A Marine Sargent is not rich, and this was not about a couple hundred bucks. This was personal.
If they are found guilty, fry 'em, then bring 'em back to life and fry 'em again.