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Text Message Murder Suspect Turns Himself In
Zareh Manjikian
The suspect in what has become known as the "Text Message Murder" turned himself in yesterday, after being released on bond in Puerto Rico in May. Zareh Manjikian, now 23, is accused of fatally shooting Mike Yepremyan,19, in North Hollywood in 2009, after the victim sent an insulting text message.The text message apparently insulted Manjikian's girlfriend's friend. Yepremyan was gunned down in the parking lot of the Sears at Valley Plaza. He was instructed by an anonymous to go there for a meeting.
Manjikian was caught in Puerto Rico, where a judge allowed him to be released, even though there was a no-bail arrest warrant in place from Los Angeles.
After Manjikian's release, local authorities andleaders, including area Councilman Paul Krekorian, sought a federal probe into the judge's actions.
Manjikian will be arraigned today or Monday.
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