The Lompoc man charged with the murder of his former girlfriend’s 4-year old son spent an entire day testifying in his own defense.
James Lujan, 30, of Lompoc, spent Dec. 1
fielding questions from defense attorney David Bixby. The prosecution was able to cross-examine him for roughly 30 minutes before trial convened for the day.
Because of court scheduling, the trial won’t resume until Dec. 13, when Lujan is again set to testify. Senior Deputy District Attorney Jerry McBeth told the Sun, based on time required to finish cross-examination, he expects to present closing arguments Dec. 14.
Lujan is charged with murder, assault on a child causing death, and torture in the death of Diego Calles, the son of former girlfriend Meagan Davis. Davis has already pleaded guilty to one felony count of child abuse over her failure to protect Calles. She was sentenced to one year in county jail, one year in drug rehab, and five years of probation.
In addition, Lujan is on trial for allegedly torturing the 17-month-old daughter of another girlfriend in 2006. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.
This article appears in Dec 9-16, 2010.