A Superior Court Judge said accused murderers Eliseo Rojas and
Eusebio Ramos will have to stand trial together for allegedly
killing Ralph Santos.
A Superior Court Judge said accused murderers Eliseo Rojas and Eusebio Ramos will have to stand trial together for allegedly killing Ralph Santos.
During a hearing in San Benito County Superior Court Tuesday, the District Attorney’s Office filed a motion to consolidate the first-degree murder charges against the two men, court officials said.
By consolidating the charges, Ramos and Rojas will have to face the judge and jury together, unless one of them decides to make some sort of plea bargain with prosecutors to testify against the other.
Rojas and Ramos, are accused of murdering 73-year-old Ralph 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 some of his 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 by giving them a false name
Ramos, who was shackled around the waist and ankles, appeared calm during the continued arraignment.
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 allegedly spotted Rojas driving Santos’ missing red 2002 Kia Optima. After some questioning, Rojas later led police to Ramos.
