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Teen murdered officer for 'harassing gang'
The San Diego Union-Tribune
NORTH COUNTY, San Diego — A teenager charged in the slaying of Oceanside police Officer Dan Bessant told detectives he fired a rifle with a scope at the officer six to seven times because the Police Department had been harassing his gang, a detective testified Monday.
Meki Gaono, 19, ran home, hid the rifle in his backyard shed and took off his outer clothing, Oceanside police Detective Sylvia O’Brien said.
The testimony came during the preliminary hearing in Vista Superior Court for Gaono and fellow gang members Jose Compre, 17, and Penifoti Taeotui, 17, who are charged with murder.
Gaono confessed to the slaying in an interview with police at Juvenile Hall three days after the Dec. 20, 2006, shooting, O’Brien testified.
During the interview, Gaono refused to identify another person who shot a .22-caliber revolver at the officer. O’Brien said Gaono hid the revolver in a kitchen drawer.
A third gun, a 9mm pistol that was found March 15 in a neighbor’s back yard, is still being tested at the sheriff’s crime lab to determine if it is linked to the case.
The hearing, which has stretched into its fourth week, is expected to end Tuesday after the attorneys make closing arguments. Judge Runston G. Maino will then rule whether enough evidence exists against the three teenagers for a trial.
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Copyright 2008 The San Diego Union-Tribune
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