Trial Proceedings Start for Woman Accused of Killing Indio Motel Guest

MURRIETA (CNS) - Pretrial motions got underway Wednesday ahead of jury
selection for the trial of a 35-year-old Arizona woman accused of gunning down
a guest at an Indio motel.
  

Carla Sharese Flores allegedly killed 27-year-old Ashley Brito of
Thousand Palms at the City Center Motel in 2021.
  

Flores is charged with first-degree murder and sentence-enhancing gun
and great bodily injury allegations. Her case was transferred last week from
the Larson Justice Center in Indio to the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta,
where there was courtroom availability.
  

On Wednesday, Riverside County Superior Court Judge John Monterosso
heard motions from the prosecution and defense regarding evidence, witnesses,
jury instructions and scheduling. The judge is set to summon panels of
prospective jurors to the Murrieta courthouse Thursday for screening.
  

Opening statements were expected sometime next week. Flores is being
held in lieu of $1 million bail at the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning.
  

According to Indio police, patrol officers went to the motel at 83597
Indio Blvd. on the evening of March 31, 2021, to investigate reports of a woman
who had been shot.
  

Brito was found dead in a room.
  

Investigators quickly identified Flores as the alleged shooter and
obtained a warrant for her arrest. Two days later, El Centro police officers
were called to investigate a disturbance at a motel and encountered Flores, who
was taken into custody without incident for alleged offenses in Imperial
County.
  

She allegedly gave officers a fake name, but they soon confirmed her
identity and learned that she was wanted in Indio, resulting in her being
turned over to homicide detectives days later.
  

A possible motive for the shooting was not disclosed.
  

Flores has no documented prior felony convictions in Riverside County.
  

If convicted, she'd face a prospective mandatory minimum sentence of
50 years to life in state prison.
  

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