Huntington Beach man faces trial for shooting murder

The following information was released by the Orange County District Attorney.

A man faces trial Monday for shooting and murdering a man in a Huntington Beach park after setting up a meeting to return a stolen cell phone. Derek Christopher Adams, 23, Huntington Beach, is charged with one felony count each of murder, first degree robbery, first degree residential burglary, and aggravated assault with sentencing enhancements for the personal discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury and death and the personal use of a firearm. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 59 years and four months to life in state prison. Opening statements are expected to begin Monday, Aug. 13, 2012, at 9:15 a.m. in Department C-42, Central Justice Center, Santa Ana.

Co-defendant Marissa Star Bilotti, 21, Huntington Beach, (Case #11ZF0123) is charged with one felony count each of murder, aggravated assault, and first degree residential burglary with sentencing enhancements for being armed with a firearm and knowingly being vicariously armed with a firearm. If convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of 35 years and four months to life in state prison. Bilotti is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing Sept. 21, 2012, at 8:30 a.m. in Department C-41.

Residential robbery and burglary of Cody Mosher

At approximately 11:00 a.m. on Oct. 22, 2010, Adams and his female friend, 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 Mosher’s home to confront him and his girlfriend. They are accused of getting into a verbal argument with Mosher’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 Mosher before stabbing him, causing a superficial wound. The defendants are accused of stealing Mosher’s cell phone and fleeing the scene.

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

Murder of Gregory Heintz

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 in her vagina and waiting in the car. Adams is accused of being armed with a firearm and getting out of the car to wait for Mosher’s girlfriend.

At approximately 3:30 p.m. Mosher’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 Mosher’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. They 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.