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Edward Meraz sentenced for 2009 kidnapping, attempted murder on Bellflower woman

NORWALK – The last of three defendants convicted of the 2009 kidnapping and attempted murder of a woman left for dead in Turnbull Canyon was sentenced today to 33 years to life in prison.

Prior to sentencing 27-year-old Edward Meraz for the Aug. 4, 2009, attack on a Bellflower woman, Superior Court Judge Michael Cowell denied a defense motion for a new trial.

Deputy District Attorney Greg Cernok, who prosecuted the case, said no motive was determined for the attack.

Meraz was convicted Dec. 14 of one count each of attempted murder, kidnapping, conspiracy and assault with a deadly weapon, a knife. The victim was left for dead in the Turnbull Canyon area of Whittier after she was kidnapped, beaten and had her throat slashed.

The woman survived the attack and managed to call for help from nearby residents.

A separate jury convicted Vincent David Mendoza, 24, on Dec. 19 of the same charges. He was sentenced in February to 36 years to life in prison. The third man charged in the case, Jose Miguel Ayala, 29, pleaded no contest to one count of attempted murder and was sentenced in March 2011 to 39 years to life in prison.