The Hollister man suspected in a 2011 Christmas Day homicide waived his right to a preliminary hearing Monday and is set to face a jury trial.
Juan M. Lopez, 29, had his preliminary hearing vacated. That proceeding had been scheduled for Monday morning.
His next scheduled court appearance is an arraignment on information set for 9 a.m. Dec. 20 at the San Benito County Courthouse.
At a preliminary hearing, which was waived Monday for Lopez, a judge can decide if there is enough evidence for a trial.
Lopez, who is represented by public defender Gregory LaForge, is accused in the stabbing death of German Oliverio Hernandez Santos on Dec. 25 of last year.
At about 2:30 a.m. Christmas morning in the 100 block of Locust Avenue, which is just west of Vista Park Hill near downtown Hollister, officers responded to a reported disturbance with an intoxicated person.
They found a stabbing victim, who sustained injuries to his upper torso and died shortly after responders arrived. Police discovered the victim at the “rear of a residence” in the 100 block of Locust Avenue, according to a statement from authorities released at the time.
