Arraignment for Yajaira Rosales in Ashley Calanche slaying postponed

October 04, 2013
Santa Paula News

By Peggy Kelly 

Santa Paula Times 

The woman accused in the fatal park shooting of another Santa Paula woman last week appeared in court Tuesday but her arraignment was postponed.

Yajaira Rosales, 31, of Santa Paula, also known as Yajaira Dominguez, was arrested Friday night following a standoff at a friend’s home on Casabella Court in Santa Paula, about seven hours after she allegedly shot and killed 21-year-old Ashley Calanche in Mill Park on Ojai-Santa Paula Road/Highway 150. 

The District Attorney’s Office filed a murder charge and a special allegation of use of a firearm in the slaying, which Santa Paula Police Lt. Ishmael Cordero said followed a confrontation between the two women in the park. What the dispute centered on or a motive for the slaying, the city’s fifth in as many months, has not yet been determined by investigators. Although both women had gang associations it is not believed the crime was gang related.

Cordero noted that the small caliber handgun used in the slaying has not yet been located.

Bail has been set at $1.2 million for Rosales. According to Ventura County court records Rosales was arrested in 2004 for being under the influence of a controlled substance.

When Rosales appeared in court Tuesday she did not enter a plea and a Public Defender was appointed to represent her. 

Rosales’ arraignment was continued until November 7, 1:30 p.m. in Courtroom 13.

Calanche, the mother of a young son, was a talented photographer attending the Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara. Reportedly ill with flu-like symptoms for several days last week, Calanche told friends she was unable to attend her Santa Barbara-based class Friday because of transportation problems before she went to Mill Park, located near her home.





Site Search

E-Subscribe

Subscribe

E-SUBSCRIBE
Call 805 525 1890 to receive the entire paper early. $50.00 for one year.

webmaster