San Bernardino's 'Dead Presidents' murder trial exposes gang intrigue, greed

On the West Side of San Bernardino, most everyone knew Johnny and Gilbert Agudo.They'd grown up in the tight-knit barrio.Handsome and charismatic, they were the presidents of two cliques of the West Side Verdugo street gang: Johnny, 31, of 7th Street Locos and Gilbert, 27, of the Little Counts. United, they led their gangs in feuds with rivals from other parts of town.But then things took an unexpected turn. Early on the morning of July 9, 2000, police responded to calls of a shooting behind a West Side duplex. The Agudos and two Half-brothers, Marselino and Anthony Luna, lay dead or dying in what would become the biggest gang slaying in recent San Bernardino history. Eight years later, the so-called Dead Presidents case is underway in a San Bernardino courtroom. Closing arguments are expected this week.Prosecutors have charged Luis "Maldito" Mendoza, a boyhood friend of the Agudos and a 7th Street gang member, with organizing the killings. Also charged is a member of Mendoza's crew, Lorenzo Arias. Both could face the death penalty. Mendoza's cousin Froylan Chiprez -- another alleged shooter -- is believed to be hiding in Mexico. John Ramirez, part of Mendoza's crew, pleaded guilty and testified against Mendoza and Arias.The arrests of Mendoza and the others shocked residents. All were members of Johnny Agudo's 7th Street Locos. No West Side gang ever killed one of its own. The Mendozas were from Mexico, while the Agudos were a Mexican American family with decades in the barrio. The arrival of Mexican immigrants had upset some Latinos in the neighborhood. But Mendoza's brother was Johnny Agudo's best friend and together they started 7th Street Locos."They grew up together," said Cheryl Kersey, the prosecutor handling the case. "Nobody ever anticipated this."The story of the Dead Presidents is a tale of neighborhood bonds torn apart by power, betrayal and greed, prosecutors say. Behind it all, they say, is the Mexican Mafia prison gang, which in many Southern California barrios has turned gang members against one another. SOURCE:LAT.COM