Inmate Testifies Ex-Girlfriend Had Threatened Drowning Victim

An Arleta woman, accused of killing a teen-age girl out of jealousy, threatened the youth 6 weeks before she drowned, the woman’s ex-boyfriend testified Thursday.

Victor Mathew Amaya, 23, testified at a preliminary hearing in Glendale Municipal Court that Laura Doyle threatened to kill Michele (Missy) Avila, whose body was found in a creek in the Angeles National Forest on Oct. 4, 1985.

Amaya traveled from the California Youth Authority facility in Chino to testify against Doyle. He was recently taken into custody for violation of his probation on an assault conviction when he was 17.

Amaya testified that he had broken up with Doyle 3 to 4 months before Avila, 17, was found dead. He said he broke off the relationship because Doyle was jealous of Amaya talking to other girls, including Avila.

Doyle, 21, refused to accept the breakup and became bitter, Amaya said.

He said he and Avila had argued with Doyle at his house in Arleta 6 weeks before the killing.

Ordered to Leave

Amaya testified that he; his brother, Noah, and Avila had been standing in front of his house when Doyle drove up. After Doyle questioned why Avila was there, Amaya said, he ordered Doyle to leave.

But before she drove away, she threatened to kill Avila, Amaya said. He quoted Doyle as saying, “I’m going to kill that bitch.”

Amaya said that he did not take the threat seriously and that he never reported it to police.

Amaya said Doyle knew that he had once had a sexual relationship with Avila, but that it occurred before he met Doyle.

Ellery S. Sorkin, Doyle’s attorney, asked Amaya if he was aware that Avila and Doyle had been friends since childhood. “As far as I knew, they didn’t really get along,” Amaya said.

Doyle and Karen Severson were arrested June 27 in Avila’s death after Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies received information from a witness.

Doyle drove Avila to the forest and was followed in another car by Severson and Eva Chirumbolo, who has not been charged, authorities said. The four walked to the creek, an argument ensued between Doyle and Avila, and Avila wound up drowned, authorities said.

Severson is scheduled to appear at a hearing in Pasadena Juvenile Court today to determine if she will stand trial as an adult. She was 17 when Avila died.

The preliminary hearing for Doyle, who was 18 when the slaying occurred, is scheduled to continue today.

The women could each be sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.