One of two teens involved in the vehicle dragging death of a 16-year-old boy at a Vancouver parking lot last spring may remain in a juvenile facility up to his 21st birthday.
Christopher Pierce, 16, pleaded guilty Dec. 19 in Clark County Juvenile Court to second-degree murder in the death of Cesar D. Ortiz-Velasco, court records show. He will be confined anywhere from 180 weeks up until age 21.
In his guilty statement, Pierce said that he was the passenger in the fleeing vehicle driven by his co-defendant, 17-year-old Jaycob Trotter.
Shortly before 2 p.m. May 26, the two met up with Ortiz-Velasco in the parking lot of Safeway, 13875 S.E. Mill Plain Blvd., to sell him marijuana for $120 cash. However, Pierce admitted to detectives that he planned to steal the money without delivering the drugs, according to an affidavit of probable cause.
Pierce snatched the money from Ortiz-Velasco as he approached their vehicle and told Trotter to drive away quickly. But as they sped away, Ortiz-Velasco held onto the vehicle with one hand, attempting to strike Pierce, the affidavit states.
When Pierce tried to roll up his window, Ortiz-Velasco fell to the ground. The vehicle ran over the teen, and Trotter drove away without rendering aid or calling for help, court records said.
Detectives said that Ortiz-Velasco suffered multiple skull fractures, chest injuries, abrasions and bruises. He was initially put on life support but died later the same day, according to court documents.
Following their arrests, Trotter was remanded to adult court based on his age and the nature of the allegations. He’s facing second-degree murder, first-degree theft and hit-and-run resulting in death. His case is set for trial March 19, court records show.
