Two convicted of murder after accomplice killed during 2022 home invasion

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — Two people, who were minors at the time, were found true to havecommitted first-degree murder and robbery after their third accomplice was killed during a home invasion in 2022.

Kern County District Attorney's Office said a Kern County Superior Court judge found true all charges alleged against two people.

Due to the case being heard in Juvenile Court, the case proceeded through a Jurisdictional Hearing. Joseph Jimenez and Skylar Dean were found to have committed first-degree murder and robbery in concert, according to the DA's office.

Dean was 14 years old at the time of the crime, while Jimenez was 17 years old.

The DA’s office said on August 21, 2022, Dean and Jimenez planned and executed a home-invasion robbery with a third person, Aiden Marquez, who was 19 at the time.

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They targeted the family at a home where Dean had been staying for a couple of weeks.

Messages among additional evidence between the three revealed that they planned to steal cash, guns, and other valuable items.

The DA’s office said at around 11 p.m. on the night of the incident, Dean let Marquez and Jimenez into the residence and provided them with a shotgun. The attackers broke into the bedroom to confront a man and his children. They pointed the shotgun and demanded items from the home, according to the DA’s office.

The resident grabbed the firearm, told his children to run, and fought off the attackers. Marquez and the resident struggled over the shotgun while Jimenez stabbed the resident in the back using a screwdriver.

The DA’s office said during the altercation, the resident was able to defend himself and Marquez was killed during the altercation. Because of their role in the deadly attack, Dean and Jimenez were found legally responsible for Marquez’s death.

District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer stated, “Violent crimes like burglaries and robberies can turn deadly in just moments. Unfortunately, the family was forced to defend against a terrifying attack because of the inexcusable actions taken by the attackers.”