Patterson woman charged with murder, torture in death of her girlfriend
A Patterson woman accused of attacking her girlfriend in Patterson is now facing a murder charge with a special circumstance allegation of torture, prosecutors said Friday.
Kassandra Moorea Alderete, 22, was arraigned in Stanislaus County Superior Court on a newly filed second amended complaint, which adds a first-degree murder charge and alleges the killing was committed “intentionally, deliberately and with premeditation.” Prosecutors also accuse her of using a blunt object to inflict deadly injuries.
The complaint now includes a special circumstance enhancement alleging the killing involved torture, which could make Alderete eligible for life without the possibility of parole if convicted.
Alderete previously faced attempted murder and other felony charges stemming from a June 3 assault on Anisa Lucero, with whom she had a dating relationship. Lucero died the day after the initial charges were filed, according to Deputy District Attorney Vita Palazuelos.
She said the cause of death has not been publicly confirmed but that expert medical opinions are forthcoming.
She said early investigative reports documented severe physical trauma, including bite marks and missing teeth, which support the torture allegation now filed as a special circumstance.
“We have retained experts as far as the condition of the body and the extent of the torture,” Palazuelos said. “Some of that’s going to come through the experts.”
At Friday’s hearing before Judge Jeff Mangar, Alderete pleaded not guilty to all charges. She also denied all enhancements and the special circumstance allegation. She remains held without bail at the Stanislaus County Jail.
Public Defender Reed Wagner appeared in court on Alderete’s behalf but wasn’t able to be reached for comment outside the courtroom or through the public defender’s office. He told the judge the case will be reassigned to Deputy Public Defender Jennifer Trautman, who was not present Friday.
Palazuelos confirmed the District Attorney’s Office is not seeking the death penalty in the case.
“It’s too early to say” whether the case could be resolved through a plea deal, she said, citing ongoing expert review of autopsy findings and cellphone forensics. “We obviously consider the family’s input in making any type of offers — mainly the victim’s next of kin.”
She described the case as a “serious domestic violence matter” and emphasized the office’s commitment to handling such cases with care.
“These cases can take years to get through the system,” she said. “Domestic violence is a problem in our community. We take that very seriously.”
Other charges filed against Alderete include aggravated mayhem, domestic battery causing injury, and assault with a deadly weapon, all related to the same incident.
The case is scheduled to return to court on Nov. 4 for further proceedings.
