The Hollister man suspected in a 2011 Christmas Day homicide is set for a trial setting Thursday.
Juan M. Lopez, 29, had his preliminary hearing vacated after he waived it last month. His next appearance is a trial setting that is scheduled for 9 a.m. Thursday in courtroom 101 at the San Benito County Courthouse, according to records.
Lopez, who is represented by public defender Gregory LaForge, is accused in the stabbing death of German Oliverio Hernandez Santos on Dec. 25 of 2011.
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.
In other court matters:
• San Juan Bautista’s Anthony Montoya faces a trial confirmation Tuesday in connection with charges that he had maintained an indoor marijuana growing operation at his home.
Authorities arrested Montoya, 33 at the time, last February after serving a search warrant in the first block of Powell Street. Authorities alleged to find what they called an “underground, sophisticated marijuana grow operation with 341 plants in different stages of growth,” according to a statement from the sheriff’s office.
Montoya’s trial confirmation is set for 2 p.m. Tuesday in courtroom 101 at the courthouse.
• One of the two suspects involved in a November 2011 exchange of gunfire at Central Avenue and Teresita Court is set for a trial confirmation Thursday.
Humberto Sanchez, 34 at the time, is accused in the exchange of gunfire. His trial confirmation is set for 9 a.m. Thursday in courtroom 101 at the courthouse.
