Man accused of trying to kill his wife rejects plea deal

Oscar Gonzalez rejected a plea deal this morning in West Valley Superior Court, and as a result his attempted murder trial will proceed.

Gonzalez, 46, was originally charged in February 2006 with kidnapping and attempted murder for allegedly attacking his wife.

He was convicted by a jury of kidnapping, a felony, in November 2007. But the jury failed to reach a verdict on the attempted murder charge and a mistrial was declared. The district attorney's office refiled the attempted murder case.

Gonzalez's trial for attempted murder is expected to begin Monday in Judge Michael Libutti's courtroom.

Gonzalez was custody during this morning's hearing, wearing green jail clothing indicating that he is in protective custody.

Libutti told Gonzalez during the hearing that this morning would be he last opportunity to accept the plea offer, and he asked him directly whether he wanted to accept or reject the offer.

"I reject," Gonzalez said through a court interpreter.

After Gonzalez rejected the offer, Deputy District Attorney Michelle Daly told Libutti she expected the prosecution's portion of the case to take six to seven days.

Gonzalez's defense attorney, Robert Von Schlichting, told the judge he expected to take a maximum of three days for his defense.

Click here to view the online case report from the records Web site for San Bernardino County Superior Court.