Accused murderer Eliseo Rojas entered a plea of not guilty
Tuesday to the first-degree murder of 73-year-old Ralph Santos in
San Benito County Superior Court.
Accused murderer Eliseo Rojas entered a plea of not guilty Tuesday to the first-degree murder of 73-year-old Ralph Santos in San Benito County Superior Court.
Speaking through his defense attorney Bud Landreth of Salinas, an apparently nervous Rojas pleaded not guilty to allegations that he had taken part in the murder of Santos, whose body was discovered June 19 in a field near Buena Vista Road. Santos was last seen on June 10.
Rojas, 24, and Eusebio Ramos, 30, are both charged with one count 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 Rojas and Ramos are found guilty under the hate crime statute, they could be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, according to the state penal code.
Landreth denied that his client participated in any type of hate crime.
“I don’t think they can establish a case for a hate crime,” Landreth said. “I don’t think there was a hate crime at all. It’s a tragedy for the family.”
While Rojas was entering his plea, codefendant Ramos learned that he would have to wait until July 15 to enter his plea because the attorney who was appointed to represent him had a conflict 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 on July 22.
“The prosecutor said in open court that their plan is to consolidate the two cases and try them as one,” Landreth said.
Rojas and Ramos, are accused of murdering Santos on June 10 and discarding his body in a 50-acre mustard seed field off of Buena Vista Road, and stealing his car and 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.
Rojas, who was shackled around the waist and ankles, appeared a anxious during the continued arraignment as he stood bouncing slightly on the balls of his feet.
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 spotted Rojas driving Santos’ missing red 2002 Kia Optima. After questioning, Rojas led police to Ramos.
