Lawyer to challenge death penalty in SB-area double homicide
A convicted gang member who is charged with a 2006 San Bernardino-area double homicide returns to court Monday so his lawyer can challenge the prosecution's attempt to seek the death penalty.
Prosecutors announced Dec. 22 that they will seek the state's capital punishment against Javier Joaquin Luque, who is suspected of killing Ronald Jaramillo, 35, and Elizabeth Amaya, 30, while they were all traveling in a Chevrolet Blazer in September 2006.
Luque's lawyer, Deputy Public Defender George Wright, has said he will argue a motion in San Bernardino Superior Court to preclude the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office from seeking the death penalty against his client.
Wright said at the Dec. 22 hearing that he was unaware of the prosecution's intentions and had not received proper notice. After the court proceedings, Caldwell said the appropriate notice was filed, and she had no further comment.
Wright is currently in trial on an unrelated death penalty case, and Luque was scheduled to go to trial later this month, according to court records.
Sheriff's officials say the shooting occurred inside the Blazer on First Avenue, just north of 40th Street, in the county area near San Bernardino. Authorities have not released a motive for the shooting.
Leave a comment