Lloyd Jr. Pleads Guilty to Manslaughter in Santee Teen's Death

Stanley Virgil Lloyd Jr. pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter Monday in the death of his former schoolmate and Santee resident Christopher Carioscia on Barona Indian Reservation in 2010. The and different charge were part of a plea bargain that reduced the sentence. Lloyd, a Lakeside resident, had originally pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder.

Carioscia, a Santee resident, was 17 when he disappeared in October 2010. Lloyd was 19 when arrested. The two had known each other since childhood and had attended school together.

Lloyd's change of plea on Monday followed a 2011 mistrial and about a year behind bars. last year 10-2, with 10 jurors in favor of a guilty verdict.

In the trial, a friend of Carioscia's told the court he had seen Carioscia on the gambling floor at Barona Casino at about midnight the night he disappeared. Carioscia's burned out car was found on the reservation the next morning and his bullet-laden body was found about six weeks later in a remote area on the tribal lands.

Prosecutor David Williams III told Patch outside the courtroom Monday that he has no way of knowing why the defendant changed his plea, but that a mistrial always "weighs heavily" on both sides. He said the guilty plea completely resolves the case against Lloyd but if there are other suspects who were involved in parts of the crime—and if any of them have criminal liability for murder—they could be prosecuted at any time.

"There is no statute of limitations on murder," Williams said. "However, there are different statutes of limitations for various types of crimes, such as possibly burning his car ... being an accessory after the fact."

During the trial, Williams told the court that Pyskata and Carioscia's father had run an and used their son and other young people to sell the drugs. Williams said he believed Carioscia had a bag of Xanax on him the night he disappeared.

The murder charge, coupled with an allegation of using a firearm, would have sent Lloyd to prison for 50 years to life if he'd been convicted. The plea agreement carries a 21-year sentence. Sentencing is scheduled for June 29. Lloyd will be mandated to serve at least 85 percent of his term and will be given credit for time he has already spent in jail, Williams said.

Lloyd smiled broadly at family and other supporters in the public seating on Monday at El Cajon courthouse.

Carioscia's mother, Monika Pyskata of Santee, told Patch she now has "some satisfaction."

"He didn't get away with it," she said of Lloyd. "He will be held responsible."

Pyskata said her big question remains, "Why?" She said she will ask Lloyd that question when given an opportunity to speak at the sentencing. She said Carioscia's father and aunt may also speak on June 29. She believes others were involved in the crime, she said.

Lloyd and Carioscia had both attended El Capitan High School in Lakeside.

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