A jury was selected today for the trial of a 46-year-old man accused of trying to get a cell-mate in Orange County jail to help him have his ex-girlfriend murdered and recording the slaying on videotape so he could watch it at Christmas.
Mark Alan Jarosik, who lived in Ladera Ranch, and the victim, who was 41 years old at the time, got into an argument that escalated into a physical struggle when he went to her home in May 2009, about a month after the couple broke up, according to prosecutors.
Jarosik allegedly raped her and was arrested after the victim reported it to the Orange County Sheriff's Department the next day, Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Walker said.
The two lived together for two years and dated for three years, Walker said.
Jarosik posted $100,000 bail and was released June 6, 2009, according to prosecutors.
Jarosik allegedly tried to break into his ex-girlfriend's home June 7, 2009, but ran away when the woman's two children yelled after seeing a hand come through the window, according to prosecutors.
Jarosik returned June 8, 2009, and allegedly beat the woman, slamming her head against a curb, Walker said. Neighbors called authorities and held him until he was taken into custody again, according to prosecutors.
While Jarosik was in custody he allegedly asked another inmate to have a relative kill the woman, and requested that it be recorded on video so he could watch it at Christmas, Walker alleged.
Walker and Jarosik's defense attorney, Michael Molfetta, were scheduled to make opening statements in the trial Thursday.
Jarosik is charged with attempted murder, solicitation of murder, rape, attempted sodomy, burglary, corporal injury of a former cohabitant, dissuading
a witness, all felonies, as well as misdemeanor disobeying a court order.
Jarosik also faces sentencing enhancements for committing a crime while out of custody, inflicting great bodily injury on the victim, and attempted premeditated murder.
- City News Service
Editor's Note: The county offers resources and shelters for women at the county's Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-978-3600.
