The local man accused of a stabbing homicide at a Hollister cemetery has waived his right to a preliminary hearing and is set for another court appearance in February, according to records.
Jorge Diaz, also homeless, is accused of stabbing 72-year-old Francisco Rojas on March 30 at the IOOF Cemetery on Buena Vista Road.
Diaz on Monday waived his right to the preliminary examination – where a judge can decide if there is enough evidence for trial – and will head back to court at 9 a.m. Feb. 9, in room 101 before Judge Steven Sanders for an arraignment on information, according to records.
Witnesses described seeing Diaz with Rojas moments before the murder, according to the sheriff’s office, which investigated the case.
Diaz was found at another location in Hollister the day after the homicide, according to the sheriff’s office.
Around 3:15 p.m. March 30, deputies responded to the 600 block of Buena Vista after a report of a stabbing. Deputies found Rojas with a stab wounds in his heart and on his hands. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
If convicted, Diaz is facing 25 years to life in prison.
