Suspect’s Girlfriend Jailed for Perjury

The girlfriend of murder suspect David Ziesmer was sentenced to 270 days in Ventura County Jail on Tuesday after admitting she lied to a grand jury about his whereabouts on the night Ventura teen Nichole Hendrix was killed.

Kellie Rangel, a 31-year-old Camarillo mother, cried as she was remanded to jail after pleading guilty to a single count of perjury. Rangel had tried to change her plea, claiming she was under the influence of drugs when she entered it. But her request was denied.

Rangel was one of six defendants indicted last year in connection with the 1998 slaying of 17-year-old Hendrix, who prosecutors say was beaten and stabbed to death by Ziesmer in a motel bathroom. Prosecutors have charged him with first-degree murder and are seeking the death penalty.