Three suspects accused in a stabbing on Halloween of 2009 are
moving toward possible trials in the coming months, and one of them
has a scheduled date for a jury trial, according to court
records.
Three suspects accused in a stabbing on Halloween of 2009 are moving toward possible trials in the coming months, and one of them has a scheduled date for a jury trial, according to court records.
The suspects, Rogelio Galvan, age 18 when arrested, Conrad Copado, 22 at the time of arrest, and Carlos Casas, 18 when arrested, are accused of stabbing a man in the back at a party in the 300 block of Hawkins Street nearly two years ago.
The three Hollister men were arrested in April. Two of the suspects already were in custody when they were booked on charges of attempted murder with special allegations of involvement in violent street gangs and causing great bodily injury. The third suspect was arrested in late April, eight days after a warrant was issued for him.
Casas, represented by public defender Greg LaForge, had a pre-trial conference scheduled Wednesday. His next scheduled appearance is a trial conference 9 a.m. Oct. 27 before a jury trial at 8:30 a.m. Nov. 14 in room 201 of the San Benito County Courthouse, according to court records.
Copado, represented by conflict attorney Harry Damkar, and Galvan, represented by conflict attorney Roseanne McLean, both had preliminary examinations vacated Wednesday. They are scheduled for trial setting hearings at 9 a.m. Sept. 15 in room 101 before Judge Steven Sanders.
The proceedings stem from the Halloween 2009 incident. At 11 p.m. that night, police reported that an officer found the then 20-year-old victim suffering from apparent stab wounds, according to the report. The man had blood seeping through his clothes and was walking “unsteadily” down the street.
Witnesses at the party described six to 10 males wearing dark clothing who attacked the victim while he was at the party, according to police. The suspects fled from the scene after friends of the victim came out of the house. Police alleged the suspects were joking and laughing as they left the scene.
A nearly two-year police investigation tied evidence to the three suspects, police alleged.
Copado was charged with the crime March 22, and Galvan was charged April 19, according to the police report. The third suspect, Casas, was arrested after turning himself in.
Police are urging anyone with more information to call police at 636-4330 or to remain anonymous call WeTIP at (800) 78-CRIME.
