Billoti & Adams charged with murder in Huntington Beach Park

Posted by CotoBlogzz 10-26-2010

SANTA ANA, CA  -  Billoti & Adams have been charged with murdering a man in a Huntington Beach park after setting up a meeting to return a stolen cell phone. Marissa Star Bilotti, 19, Huntington Beach, is charged with one felony count each of murder, first degree residential robbery, and first degree residential burglary. Derek Christopher Adams, 22, Huntington Beach, is charged with one felony count each of murder, first degree robbery, and aggravated assault with sentencing enhancements for the personal discharge of a firearm causing death and the personal use of a  firearm, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s office.  If convicted, Bilotti faces a maximum sentence of 31 years to life in state prison and Adams faces a maximum sentence of 57 years to life in state prison. 

 At approximately 11:00 a.m. on Oct. 22, 2010, Adams and Bilotti, are accused of going to the Newport Beach home of Cody Masher, a parolee who was dating a woman in whom Adams was romantically interested. The defendants are accused of breaking down the door and entering Masher's home to confront him and his girlfriend. They are accused of getting into a verbal argument with Masher's girlfriend and stealing money from her purse. 

Bilotti is accused of continuing to argue with the girlfriend as Adams went into the kitchen to retrieve a knife. Adams is accused of then punching and hitting Masher before stabbing him, causing a superficial wound. The defendants are accused of stealing Masher's cell phone and fleeing the scene. 

Throughout the day, Adams is accused of using Masher's cell phone to send text messages to the Masher's girlfriend. He is accused of arranging to meet Masher's girlfriend at Murdy Park in Huntington Beach to return Masher's cell phone. 

 Bilotti is accused of covering the license plate of her car and driving Adams to the park. She is accused of concealing a folding knife iand waiting in the car. Adams is accused of being armed with a firearm and getting out of the car to wait for Masher's girlfriend.

At approximately 3:30 p.m. Masher's girlfriend arrived at the park with two friends, including Gregory Heintz. Heintz got out of their vehicle and began to approach Adams. Adams is accused of throwing Masher's cell phone to Heintz and then shooting him one time in the stomach. Bilotti is accused of removing the cover from her license plate and the two defendants are accused of fleeing the scene.

Witnesses wrote down the defendant's license plate number and called 911. Huntington Beach Police Officers quickly located the defendant's car and pulled them over.  The defendants are accused of having a firearm in their vehicle when contacted by police and were arrested at the scene. 

Heintz was transported the hospital and died shortly thereafter. 

Senior Deputy District Attorney Sonia Balleste of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.