Opening Statements To Begin In Murder, Rape Trial Involving Registered Sex Offender

SANTA ANA (CBSLA.com) — Opening statements will be delivered Wednesday in the death penalty trial of a registered sex offender who has been charged with the rape and murder of four prostitutes in Orange County.

Steven Dean Gordon, 47, won the right to defend himself in the trial, according to the district attorney's office.

Gordon's co-defendant, Franc Cano, 30, will be tried separately. Cano also faces the death penalty.

Gordon faces a two-phase death penalty trial.

The first phase will focus on whether he is guilty of charges filed against him.

If convicted as charged, jurors will decide whether to recommend life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Gordon and Cano -- both registered sex offenders -- allegedly went on a rampage that led to the deaths of Jarrae Nykkole Estepp, 21, Kianna Jackson, 20, Josephine Vargas, 34, and Martha Anaya, 28.

The trial will continue at 10 a.m. in the Central Justice Center.

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