The defendant charged with fatally stabbing an El Centro man last year was ordered Monday to appear back in court for a preliminary hearing Feb. 17.
Javier Romo, who was convicted last week in the attempted murder of an El Centro resident near Swarthout Park in a separate case, appeared briefly for his courtroom hearing before Imperial County Superior Court Judge William Lehman.
The preliminary hearing would determine if there is enough evidence to have Romo stand trial for the charge of first-degree murder in the Jan. 15, 2011, slaying of 25-year-old Anthony McGee. Romo was 17 at the time.
Another defendant in the same case, Louis Evans, pleaded guilty in November to voluntary manslaughter, defense attorney Donald Levine has said.
Evans’ sentencing is not expected until after Romo’s trial is over, said Imperial County Deputy District Attorney Jill Cristich.
Romo was released in April when a judge found insufficient evidence during a preliminary hearing to order Romo to stand trial in McGee’s killing. But Romo was arrested again in May on the attempted murder of Antonio Meza, a crime for which he and co-defendant Luis Scott were recently convicted.
The DA’s office re-filed charges against Romo in the McGee homicide case. Romo has not been released.
Staff Writer Silvio J. Panta can be reached at 760-337-3442 or at spanta@ivpressonline.com
Javier Romo, who was convicted last week in the attempted murder of an El Centro resident near Swarthout Park in a separate case, appeared briefly for his courtroom hearing before Imperial County Superior Court Judge William Lehman.
The preliminary hearing would determine if there is enough evidence to have Romo stand trial for the charge of first-degree murder in the Jan. 15, 2011, slaying of 25-year-old Anthony McGee. Romo was 17 at the time.
Another defendant in the same case, Louis Evans, pleaded guilty in November to voluntary manslaughter, defense attorney Donald Levine has said.
Evans’ sentencing is not expected until after Romo’s trial is over, said Imperial County Deputy District Attorney Jill Cristich.
Romo was released in April when a judge found insufficient evidence during a preliminary hearing to order Romo to stand trial in McGee’s killing. But Romo was arrested again in May on the attempted murder of Antonio Meza, a crime for which he and co-defendant Luis Scott were recently convicted.
The DA’s office re-filed charges against Romo in the McGee homicide case. Romo has not been released.
Staff Writer Silvio J. Panta can be reached at 760-337-3442 or at spanta@ivpressonline.com
