After hearing how police found a very bloody crime scene, that one victim sustained 28 injuries to her body and the other at least 20 and the alleged perpetrator — was seen a short time after the murders covered in blood — District Magistrate Robert Dzvonick Friday ordered Cesar Mazza,25, to stand trial on two counts of homicide, and kidnapping.
Dr. Todd Luckasevic a forensic pathologist testified that Valorie Crompton, 72, sustained 28 blunt force trauma and stab wounds to her body, including fractures to her jaw, face and nose as well as her left leg, and died as a result of being repeatedly struck in her head.
Tiona Banks, 19, Mazza’s girlfriend, and the alleged mother of his then two-month-old son, sustained 20 injuries to her body and died as a result of a two-inch stab wound to her head.
He added the women had been dead more than 24 hours but less than a week, saying it is difficult to establish an accurate time of death beyond three days.
Casey White, Mazza’s attorney quizzed Dr. Luckasevic, asking if it was possible they killed each other, which drew audible gasps from the victim’s family. “That’s not possible,” Luckasevic said, given the extent of the injuries both women sustained.
White told reporters “It’s our position at this time there were a total of five people at the scene of the crime.” He added that prosecutors have not proven Mazza killed the two women, saying “Right now we don’t know who the killer is.”
White was referring to the unnamed person who drove Mazza to Bank’s house on the day of the murders.
According to testimony and a court document, on the morning of May 4, a friend drove Mazza to Crompton’s house where Banks was staying so he could pick-up his son.
Clara Mazza, Mazza’s sister testified that her brother showed up unexpectedly on May 4 with the baby and “he was covered in blood.” She said “When I took the baby I could see blood on his legs and feet.”
Ms. Mazza said Cesar told her that he and Banks had gotten into an argument because “I didn’t bring her any cigarettes.”
“She came at me with a knife and I grabbed the blade,” Ms. Maza testified Cesar responded upon being asked how he sustained injuries to his hand.
Police allege in a court document that an unnamed witness told them Mazza’s cut was “unbandaged and did not seem in proportion to the large amount of blood on Mazza and the baby.”
After staying a few minutes Maza left the baby with his sister, not having brought formula, clothes or even diapers.
He then fled to New jersey according to court documents and testimony.
Ms. Mazza testified that her brother had long hair at the time, which was pulled back in a pony tail.
Pittsburgh police homicide detectives found the two women on May 7 after receiving a call from a local women’s facility that Banks had not reported back.
Robert Shaw lead homicide detective testified “There was blood all over the house,” adding “There was a trail of blood going up the stairs to the second floor.” “We found blood on a teddy bear pillow” in a bassinet.”.
During the autopsy a strand of long black hair was recovered under one of Bank’s fingernails, which police believe may belong to Mazza. He was arrested on May 15 in Newark, New Jersey with his hair in a buzz cut.
Mazza also faces aggravated assault charge for attacking Banks on November 14 where he allegedly kicked her in the stomach, drug her by her hair outside his house and struck her with a bicycle, court documents allege.
Court records show Mazza has an extensive history of violence. Last October Banks received a protection order after a judge found he beat her and threatened to kill her and her family. In December another protection order was issued after Mazza struck banks and repeatedly kicked her in the stomach while she was pregnant.
