Roberto Arias Jr., 19, Martin Flores, 21, and Armondo Hernandez, 20, face homicide and street terrorism charges, and that they committed crimes to further a street gang, an extra charge that could if convicted have them face the death penalty.
The trio appeared briefly in court today, where they were told to be back in court Jan. 19 so attorneys in the case can set a date for the preliminary hearing, a procedure where a judge will decide if there is enough evidence for a trial.
The trio is accused of shooting Spencer Sampson as he walked down East Street on his birthday, Dec. 19. He died a few hours after being shot after a fistfight.
Police say the men are Sureno gang members.
Attorney Gary Hickey represents Arias; Doug Jacobsen is the attorney of Hernandez; and Ralph Cingcon represents Flores.
Janet Smith is the prosecutor in the case.
The three remain in San Joaquin County Jail in French Camp without bail.
Contact a Tracy Press reporter or editor at 835-3030 or tpnews@tracypress.com.
for the ones that say we dont know them so how can we judge them. I say I do know them and while its not my place to judge them I wouldnt put this past them. They were out for themselves and their fellow gang brothers.
I do feel for their family memebers and hope the ones with younger siblings or cousins that the young ones learn from this and dont try and follow in their footsteps.
It works. It works better anywhere else in the world. If someone is tried and found guilty here in the US, you can be fairly sure that they are, in fact, guilty.
Vigilante justice? At that point, what is the difference between the vigilantes and the gang-bangers?? Once we are done venting our anger, the vigilante thing just doesn't make sense.
I say, let the system work. Clumsy, slow and wounded as it may be....it is still the best thing standing between us and them.
My 2 cents.
Oh, and for seanm209: Sorry to hear about the problems you are having in school. Hang in there, your teachers can help.
If there was no evidence, they wouldn't be in custody, charged with crimes.
A court of law will determine that. Respect our judicial system.
"Why waste tax payers money by having all these court hearings?"
Because many tax payers, like me, believe in due process of law and the right to a fair and public trial conducted in a competent manner. Try reading the U.S. Constitution sometime.
Well for the simple fact of the matter that the 3 accused are guilty!! They killed a young man and the police have all the evidence to prove it!! On top of that the other people that were shot and shot at by these same scumbags!!! Fair trial? They don't deserve it!! even though they will get one!! We as taxpayers will be paying for that along with their 3 meals a day.that is why they just need to kill the S.O.B's
Because many tax payers, like me, believe in due process of law and the right to a fair and public trial conducted in a competent manner. Try reading the U.S. Constitution sometime.
SO YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO CALL THEM NAMES!!!
WOW I THOUGHT PEOPLE FROM MY HOMETOWN WERN'T SO RUDE!!
I CANT BELIEVE YOU ALL OF YOU! I EXPECTED MORE OF TRACY
PEOPLE.
this is what happen to my brother like 3 years ago and he was arrested for no reason!!! JUST BEING IN THE WRONG PLACE AT THE WRONG TIME!