Judge finds sufficient evidence in murder case

IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) – The man accused of murdering a 70-year-old Westmorland woman has appeared for his preliminary hearing.

During the hearing, the judge found enough evidence to pursue the case further.

“It is a case in which Mr. Angulo is accused of premeditated murder,” said Eric Alizade.

Claudio Angulo, 41, is accused of stabbing and murdering 70-year-old Maria Cruz in her Westmorland apartment on July 4 last year.

A month later, Angulo was arrested by the Imperial County Sheriff's Office (ICSO) based on the evidence found.

Last year, ICSO announced the connection between Angulo and the victim.

“They were acquaintances. They lived in the same apartment complex, so they knew each other,” said Lt. Clinton Erro.

The Imperial County District Attorney's Office tells us what's happening next in this case.

“So the next step is to gather the information. Then we will introduce the documents to take the case to a jury, and if the case goes to a jury, the jury will decide the case based on the information,” Eric Alizade said.

Angulo is currently in the Imperial County Jail on bail. His next court date is September 3.