The Hollister man accused of a Christmas stabbing homicide is scheduled for a preliminary setting Jan. 26.
Hollister police arrested Juan M. Lopez, 28, of Hollister in connection with the murder of German Oliverio Hernandez Santos on Dec. 25. The district attorney’s office has charged Lopez with suspected homicide, and he is being represented by public defender Greg LaForge, the attorney confirmed Thursday.
At a preliminary setting, the judge can set a preliminary examination, to decide if there is enough evidence for a trial.
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, according to police. They found a stabbing victim, who sustained injuries to his upper torso and died shortly after responders arrived. Police discovered the man at the “rear of a residence” in the 100 block of Locust Avenue.
According to the police statement: “Hollister police officers located a Hispanic male stabbing victim at the rear of a residence in the 100 Blk. of Locust Avenue. Hollister Fire Department and AMR responded for medical attention. The victim was suffering from upper torso trauma. Despite extensive lifesaving efforts, the victim succumbed to his injuries. The identity of the victim is pending notification of next of kin.”
Anyone with information is asked to call the Hollister Police Department Detective Bureau at (831) 636-4330. People wishing to remain anonymous can call WeTIP at (800) 78-CRIME.
