Pomona, CA: Vigil held for slain woman

Homage paid at Pomona site
Jannise Johnson, Staff Writer
Posted: 10/09/2010 09:59:08 PM PDT
Updated: 10/09/2010 10:18:30 PM PDT

POMONA - A handful of people paid homage to a woman they called a mother, friend, sister and recovering addict Friday night.
The front of Room 5 at the Deluxe Motel was the scene of a candlelight vigil for a woman stabbed to death by her boyfriend, said those who knew her.
Alfonso Villanueva, a retired California Youth Authority officer, led the vigil.
He said more people might have shown up, but because many of them are addicts, they were afraid of being arrested if they congregated in one place.
Marsha Landry, or "Marcella," as she was known by friends, had struggled with addiction. She was living in the motel at the time of her killing.
"The community here is infested with rock cocaine," Villanueva said. "This is the story of pain and suffering and how a mother went out."
Villanueva called the killing "Satanic" in its brutality.
Villanueva is a member of the Inland Valley Peacemakers Council.
A woman who goes by the moniker "Woo" read some words about Marcella. Woo is also an addict who met Marcella when they went through drug rehab a few years ago.
"Society doesn't accept addicts because they don't understand. But we're still human," she said.
Marcella's body was found last Sunday at 6:54 p.m. when Pomona police responded to the Deluxe Motel at 915 N. Holt Blvd., according to a police statement.
Officers arrested Harvey Brooks, 58 of Pomona on suspicion of homicide. Los
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Angeles County firefighters pronounced Landry dead at the scene.
Anyone with information may call Pomona police homicide detectives at 909-620-2095 or WeTip at 800-78-CRIME.