After waiting a week, alleged murderer Eusebio Ramos got his day
in court as he pleaded not guilty to first-degree charges Tuesday
in the murder of Hollister resident Ralph Santos.
After waiting a week, alleged murderer Eusebio Ramos got his day in court as he pleaded not guilty to first-degree charges Tuesday in the murder of Hollister resident Ralph Santos.
Ramos, 30, a migrant field worker from Stockton, pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder with a special allegation; auto theft and possession of stolen property, according to court records.
The special allegation labels the murder as a hate crime. If Ramos is found guilty under the hate crime statute, he could be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, according to the state penal code.
Ramos’ plea comes one week after his co-defendant, Eliseo Rojas, also pleaded not guilty.
Ramos had to wait until Tuesday to enter his plea because the attorney who was originally appointed to represent him had a conflict of some kind that prevented him from taking the case.
As a result, Superior Court Judge Steven Sanders appointed Salinas attorney Arlene Allan to represent Ramos.
Rojas and Ramos are scheduled to be back in court together again on July 22.
Rojas and Ramos are accused of murdering 73-year-old Santos on June 10 and discarding his body in a 50-acre mustard-seed field off of Buena Vista Road, along with stealing his car and some of his personal property.
Ramos was also charged with giving a false identity to a peace officer. The charge reportedly stemmed from his initial arrest on June 29 when Ramos allegedly tried to hide his identity from investigators by giving them a false name
Ramos, who was shackled around the waist and ankles, appeared calm during the continued arraignment.
Sanders also ordered jail officials to continue holding the two farm laborers without bail pending further notice.
Rojas and Ramos were both arrested on June 29 after a Stockton Police officer allegedly spotted Rojas driving Santos’ missing red 2002 Kia Optima. After some questioning, Rojas led police to Ramos.
