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Prosecutors to push for longer sentence in Trevino murder case

Prosecutors seek tougher penalty for the way he allegedly killed his wife.

By Anthony Lonetree

April 19, 2013 at 4:07AM

In March, Ramsey County Water Patrol divers searching for Kira Trevino looked in a shallow creek near Keller Lake in Maplewood. The search for Trevino will resume this weekend at two regional parks. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Jeffery Trevino has been put on notice by Ramsey County prosecutors that he faces a potentially stiffer sentence — up to double the prison time — if convicted in the slaying of his wife.

Kira Trevino, last seen alive on Feb. 21, is presumed dead, and Jeffery Trevino has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder in her disappearance.

In a court filing this week, Assistant County Attorney Andrew R.K. Johnson said his office will push for an enhanced sentence based on two factors, one of which alleges Trevino treated his wife with "particular cruelty" by concealing her body in "an attempt to evade detection by police."

"This conduct increased the anguish for the victim's family," the court filing states.

The second aggravating factor accuses Jeffery Trevino of failing "to render aid to the victim."

St. Paul police spokesman Howie Padilla said Thursday that Kira Trevino remains missing. The case is ongoing, he said.

According to charges, Kira Trevino, 30, was last seen leaving the Mall of America after having dinner there with her husband.

On Feb. 24, he reported her missing, and the following day, her car was found in a mall ramp. A subsequent search of the couple's home on St. Paul's East Side revealed copious amounts of blood and evidence of an alleged cleanup and cover-up.

Police found evidence that Jeffery Trevino purchased cleaning supplies on Feb. 23.

Later, civilian searches also turned up evidence at Keller Regional Park in Maplewood, including a plastic bag. Inside was a pillow that had blood matching Kira Trevino's DNA, charges say. Cadaver dogs indicated a scent in a hole in frozen Keller Lake but a search by divers did not yield anything.

A group search is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday at Battle Creek Regional Park southeast of downtown St. Paul. Volunteers are planned to also help collect trash in early observance of Earth Day, according to search organizer Jodie Leko. There will also be a search at 11 a.m. Sunday at Bunker Hills Regional Park in Coon Rapids. For more information about searches, visit www.facebook.com/HelpFindKiraStegerTrevino.

Jeffery Trevino's trial is set to begin May 28.

District Judge Leonardo Castro is expected to hear motions on May 15.

Anthony Lonetree • 651-925-5036

Jeffery Trevino (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

missing woman Kira Trevino . Photo courtesy of the family. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

about the writer

Anthony Lonetree

Reporter

Anthony Lonetree has been covering St. Paul Public Schools and general K-12 issues for the Star Tribune since 2012-13. He began work in the paper's St. Paul bureau in 1987 and was the City Hall reporter for five years before moving to various education, public safety and suburban beats.