This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.
Kim Pham beating: 2 women face Thursday hearing on murder charges
Candace Marie Brito, 27, of Santa Ana, has been charged with one felony count of murder for her role in the death of 23-year-old Kim Pham.
(
Santa Ana Police Department
)
Vanesa Zavala of Santa Ana faces a pre-trial hearing Jan. 30, 2014 on murder charges in connection with Kim Pham's beating death outside a nightclub.
(
Courtesy NBCLosAngles.com
)
Santa Ana police are seeking this woman as a "person of interest" in connection with the beating death of Kim Pham outside a Santa Ana nightclub early on Jan. 18, 2014.
(
Santa Ana Police Dept.
)
A makeshift memorial on Fourth Street and Broadway for Kim Pham.
(
Ed Joyce/KPCC
)
Two women from Santa Ana face a pre-trial hearing Thursday at 8:30 a.m. in connection with the fatal beating of Kim Pham outside a Santa Ana nightclub.
Candace Marie Brito, 27, and Vanesa Tapia Zavala, 25, are both charged with one count of felony murder. Both have pleaded not guilty and remain jailed in lieu of $1 million bail. They each face a maximum sentence of 15 years to life in state prison if convicted.
Pham, 23, of Westminster, was assaulted just after midnight on Jan. 19 outside Santa Ana club. She was declared dead two days after the incident. The Orange County Coroner's Office says she died from blunt force trauma to the head.
Santa Ana police say Zavala and Brito were among a group of five people leaving the club early Saturday morning when the altercation occurred between them and Pham’s group, who'd been waiting to enter the club.
Orange County Senior Deputy District Attorney Troy Pino is handling both cases. He said Wednesday that he will ask the judge Thursday to merge both cases so Zavala and Brito could be tried together. The pre-trial hearing for Brito and Zavala is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. at the Harbor Justice Center in Newport Beach.
"This was not a race-related incident," Pino told KPCC Wednesday. "And reports about people standing around and not stepping in to help Pham are not true."
Brito's attorney, Michael Molfetta, said she "had nothing to do with what happened to Pham." He said Pham died "tragically, unnecessarily. It was senseless, mindless."
Sponsored message
Molfetta said his client has no criminal record.
Kenneth Reed, who represents Zavala, said that he is "confident that ultimately my client will be found not guilty."
Funeral services for Pham were Tuesday in Westminster.
Santa Ana police detectives are looking for a "person of interest" and want to talk with two men who had been part of the group but are not believed to have been part of the altercation.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or might have information, including cell phone video, are urged to call Santa Ana police detectives at (714)245-8390 or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
