09/21/09

Police say four months ago, two men stabbed 39 year old Robert Barton of Buhl with a 14 inch screwdriver at the Grand-Vu Drive-In Theater in Twin Falls, and then took his car and his wallet.

Richard Garza Pena Junior, 33, of Jerome was charged with aiding and abetting aggravated battery in this case, along with aiding and abetting robbery and one count of grand theft.

He pled not guilty' three weeks ago.

Pena's attorney George Essma asked Judge Richard Bevan to postpone Pena’s September 29th trial.

The four day trial has been rescheduled to begin on Tuesday, February 9, 2010.

In a related case, Kimberly Marie Pena-Souza, 35, has pled guilty to conspiracy to commit perjury.

Police say Souza and Robert Barton, the victim in the previous case, allegedly offered to change their testimony in a case against Christopher Mark Taylor, in exchange for money.

Souza is the sister of Richard Garza Pena Junior, who we just mentioned.

Taylor is charged in a violent robbery case.

Police say Souza and Barton approached Taylor’s defense attorney, Lynn Dunlap. Barton asked for $15,000, while Souza asked to be paid $5,000.

Police arrested Barton and Souza, who are being held in the Twin Falls County Jail.