Court Upheld Conviction in 1989 Los Angeles Murder Case
A state appellate panel affirmed the life sentence of a man convicted of murdering Monica Wertlieb.
Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Sex Crimes
The California 2nd District Court of Appeal has upheld the first-degree murder conviction of Orlando Dejesus Arredondodonis. The defendant is serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole for the 1989 death of Monica Wertlieb.
Why it matters
The ruling confirms that there was sufficient evidence to support the special circumstance of murder committed during a rape, even though the underlying rape charge was dismissed due to the statute of limitations. This decision solidifies the legal outcome of a case that remained unsolved for nearly three decades.
A jury previously convicted the defendant of first-degree murder in April 2024, leading to his life sentence without parole. The court rejected the defense's claim of insufficient evidence regarding the special circumstance of the crime.
The players
Orlando Dejesus Arredondodonis
He is a 57-year-old man currently serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole for the murder of Monica Wertlieb.
Monica Wertlieb
She was a 39-year-old victim who was discovered deceased in the Westlake district of Los Angeles in 1989.
California 2nd District Court of Appeal
This state judicial body is responsible for reviewing and rendering decisions on appeals from lower trial courts in the region.
The details
DNA evidence linked Arredondodonis to the 1989 crime, in which the 39-year-old victim was knocked unconscious near the 1300 block of West Third Street. The perpetrator dragged her approximately 190 feet to a secluded location in the Westlake district to facilitate an intended rape before killing her.
Timeline
Monica Wertlieb was killed in September 1989.
The victim was found dead on September 17, 1989.
Orlando Dejesus Arredondodonis was arrested in October 2017.
The defendant was convicted of first-degree murder in April 2024.
The appeals court upheld the conviction on September 18, 2026.
Legal Context
This case highlights the enduring capability of modern forensic DNA testing to secure convictions in cold cases decades after the crimes occurred. It mirrors a broader trend where judicial systems utilize advanced genetic evidence to resolve long-standing homicides that previously lacked sufficient leads.
The resolution of this decades-old case provides closure to the community regarding a long-standing unsolved crime in the Westlake district. Residents should note that cold case investigations involving DNA evidence remain a priority for local law enforcement agencies.
The takeaway
Advancements in DNA technology continue to play a critical role in bringing justice to cold cases that were once thought to be unsolvable. This ruling underscores the importance of forensic preservation and the persistence of investigators in seeking accountability for violent crimes.
Further reading
Find more updates on the Sex Crimes in Los Angeles section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by My News LA.
