Teen-Age Killer Corroborates Testimony

One of two teen-age killers allegedly hired by a former Orange Glen High School teacher’s aide to murder her husband testified Tuesday, corroborating much of the testimony given last week by his partner in the killing. But his account conflicted with testimony given at the preliminary hearing.

Anthony Pilato repeatedly stated that Roberta Pearce offered him and Isaac Hill money and cars to kill her husband, Robert Pearce.

Pilato and Hill both testified that Pearce had offered them $100,000 and two cars to kill her husband.

“She had told me that they were going to get a divorce on March 1 or March 2, and, if we were to kill him, it would have to be before that date,� Pilato said during the fifth day of the trial in Vista Superior Court. “She said that, in the process of the divorce, she would lose the property and the cars and everything.�

Roberta Pearce is charged with first-degree murder and could be sentenced to death if convicted.

Hill and Pilato, both 16, already pleaded guilty to first-degree murder of Pearce on Jan. 31, 1989, and have been sentenced to the California Youth Authority until they are 25.

Pilato contradicted testimony he gave both during a preliminary hearing held in April and to law enforcement officials shortly after the killing.

Pilato, under cross-examination, testified that he was confused during parts of the preliminary hearing concerning the dates that he and Hill committed certain acts leading up to the killing, such as when he first met Roberta Pearce and when they rented a car in an aborted first attempt on Robert Pearce’s life.

Pilato also said he lied to detectives investigating the case when they interviewed him a week after the murder, claiming that he had wanted to protect those involved.

Under cross-examination, Pilato denied allegations by defense attorney William Fletcher that he had boasted of a deal made with the district attorney’s office to get an early parole if he testified against Roberta Pearce.

“I didn’t say anything about no sweet deal,� Pilato said.

“I don’t think it’s right for someone to be involved in a murder and then walk away from it,� he said. “At first, I was going to take responsibility for what I had done, and I wasn’t going tell on anyone else.�