Former Marine testifies in Marine Sergeant and bride murder case


Valley News Staff


Wednesday, June 17th, 2009.
Issue 25, Volume 13.


MURRIETA - A 22-year-old former Marine testified today that two fellow Marines told him that they robbed and killed a Marine sergeant and his wife, and sexually assaulted the woman.

Justin Weissinger, in custody in San Diego awaiting arraignment on residential burglary charges, took the stand at a preliminary hearing for Kevin Darnell Cox, 21; Emrys Justin John, 19; Tyrone Miller, 21; and Kesaun Kedron Sykes, 22.

At the conclusion of the preliminary hearing, a judge will determine if there is enough evidence to order the defendants to stand trial. The hearing -- which is being held on non-consecutive days -- will resume on June 30.

Each defendant is charged with two counts of first-degree murder and the special circumstance allegations of multiple murders and murder committed in the course of a robbery and a rape. John, the alleged shooter, is additionally charged with using a gun.

Sgt. Janek Pietrzak, 24, and his 26-year-old wife, Quiana Faye Jenkins-Pietrzak, were found gagged and shot in the head Oct. 15 in the family room of their two-story home at 31319 Bermuda Ave. in Winchester.

Weissinger, who was stationed with the defendants and the male victim at Camp Pendleton, testified this afternoon that several days after the killings, he was taken aside by Miller, who told him he had been involved in the murders and the sexual assault.

Later on, John joined the conversation and also admitted being there, Weissinger said.

The witness testified, regarding the sexual assault, that Miller and John told him that they had the sergeant and his wife and that Miller told John to "do them.'' "He (John) said that he did,'' Weissinger said.

Weissinger said the Marines told him that Pietrzak did not die after the first shot -- fired through a sofa cushion -- and was shot again. Quiana was also shot twice, Weissinger said he was told.

According to the witness, the two Marines who admitted culpability to him also said they tried to light a fire in the living room by pouring liquor on the floor, but Sykes poured a drink mixer on top of the liquor and it would not ignite.

They then put paper towels on the stove and left the appliance on as they left, Weissinger said he was told.

Under cross-examination by Miller's attorney, Jeffrey Zimel, Weissinger denied testifying against Miller and John in order to get a deal in his unrelated residential burglary case. Weissinger appeared in court in a jail jumpsuit.

Under cross-examination, he said he had never before today told any authorities about Miller and John admitting their guilt to him.

Prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty for the four men if they are convicted.

Cox's girlfriend, Melissa Buck, testified last month that he came to her Fallbrook apartment with the other defendants the night the killings took place.

Prosecutors believe the victims were slain sometime between late on the night of Oct. 14 and early the next morning.

Buck testified that Cox, John, Miller and Sykes came to the apartment with two recently fired handguns.

She testified that she knew the smell of gunpowder because she practiced her marksmanship at shooting ranges.

Buck said she agreed to testify in the case after she was granted immunity by the San Diego County District Attorney's Office.

Ellie