Urias to have prelim Thursday in three killings

The city has its share of prolific gang members.
But another one, who police suspect in three murders on the city's Westside, is about to be in the spotlight Thursday when he has a preliminary hearing in San Bernardino Superior Court.
Lawyers in the case of Bryant Jesus Urias, 23, announced they were ready for the hearing Tuesday before Judge Michael Dest.
At the preliminary hearing, prosecutors will present some of the evidence against Urias, and a judge will determine whether there is sufficient evidence to hold over the defendant for trial.
Prosecutors charged Urias with the deaths of:

• Eric Selvan, 31, of San Bernardino. He was shot in the head Jan. 22, 2006 inside a detached garage at his home in the 1100 block of West Mill Street. Selvan died two days later, after being taken off life support.


• Yobani Ramirez-Mendez, 16, of San Bernardino. Ramirez-Mendez was shot and killed Oct. 13, 2005 outside a house in the 1100 block of West Congress Street. Two brothers standing with Ramirez-Mendez were also struck by gunfire but survived.


• Antoine Jerome Lee, 36, of Highland. He was shot and killed Feb. 2, 2006 while getting into a car with his friend in the the 1000 block of West Belleview Street, near K Street.

All the shootings occurred within 1-square-mile with a boundary of Mount Vernon Avenue, K Street, Mill Street and Rialto Avenue.
Supervising Deputy District Attorney Victor Stull, who originally reviewed the case, described the slayings as "totally senseless," in an earlier interview.
Urias is charged with three counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder as well as special allegations. He faces life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted on all charges.