Last of 3 Defendants in Cop Killing Pleads Guilty

Christopher Wilson died from a gunshot wound he suffered as SDPD provided backup for probation officers on Oct. 27. 2010

Melissa Ortiz, the last defendant facing charges in the death of San Diego police officer Christopher Wilson, pleaded guilty Thursday to voluntary manslaughter.

San Diego Police were providing backup for probation officers on Oct. 27. 2010 as they searched for a dangerous parole violator inside a Bay Terraces apartment.

Officer Wilson, a 17-year veteran, was shot in the head and died from his injuries.

An investigation revealed the fatal shot was fired by suspects who had barricaded themselves in a back bedroom.

Ortiz admitted to investigators during a videotaped interrogation that she turned out a bedroom light inside the apartment, giving her friends an advantage against the officers who were standing in a lighted hallway.

Ortiz is the third and last defendant to face charges in connection with the shooting that rocked the San Diego Police Department and local law enforcement agencies.

Jurors convicted Alex Charfauros last month of second degree murder for knowingly aiding the two people who were accused of firing the gun that killed Wilson.

Investigators determined Holim Lee and Lucky Xayasene killed themselves before their capture by police.

Charfauros will be sentenced later this year. He faces 25 years to life in prison for Wilson's death, and 7 years to life for the attempted murder of the other four officers present during the shooting -- totaling a maximum of 53 years.

Patrick Luangrath, who also pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter, was sentenced last week to 21 years in prison.

Ortiz also pleaded guilty to an April 2011 robbery at the Apple store in the Otay Ranch Towne Center, with enhancements for gang related crime and participating in a crime in which a fire arm was used.

In a plea agreement, Ortiz agreed to a prison term of 25 years and four months.

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