Tuesday, December 7, 2004 Posted: 12:30 PM EST (1730 GMT)
POMONA, California (AP) -- A 16-year-old boy pleaded guilty Monday to murdering a California Highway Patrol officer who was gunned down as he stood outside a courthouse in April.
Valentino Mitchell Arenas pleaded guilty to first-degree murder of Officer Thomas Steiner and admitted the special circumstances of murder of a police officer, lying in wait and murder during a drive-by shooting, said Deputy District Attorney Linda Loftfield.
The plea was entered as jury selection for trial was under way.
Arenas, who also admitted that the killing was gang-related, faces up to life in prison without possibility of parole when he is sentenced January 28.