A jury trial remains on schedule for later this month in the
case involving a Hollister man accused of stabbing and killing
28-year-old Alexander Hurtado outside a party in 2007.
A jury trial remains on schedule for later this month in the case involving a Hollister man accused of stabbing and killing 28-year-old Alexander Hurtado outside a party in late 2007.
Jose A. Covian, 23, is suspected of stabbing and killing Hurtado in December 2007 in the 800 block of C Street during a confrontation outside a small party. In the murder charge to which he has pleaded not guilty, Covian had a brief court hearing last week and still is set for a jury trial at 8:30 a.m. Jan. 25, with a trial confirmation now scheduled for Jan. 21, according to court documents.
Covian pleaded not guilty to a new charge earlier this month as well. Prosecutors allege Covian possessed and exhibited a dirk or dagger at the jail in October and filed the charges Dec. 15, according to court records.
Public Defender Gregory LaForge, who is representing Covian in both matters, has said the district attorney’s office “is obviously going to attempt to use that” – the latest charges – in the murder trial. LaForge said he would “vigorously oppose” related testimony in the trial.
If convicted of homicide, Covian faces the possibility of 25 years to life in prison.
