Arraignment is coming next spring in the case of an Emporia man accused of killing another over five years ago.
Samuel Garcia will be arraigned May 4, barring schedule adjustments or other developments, after a preliminary hearing that started Monday.
Garcia is accused of shooting Jesus Avila near Emporia in September 2017, and he is charged with first-degree murder and other counts in Avila’s death.
During the prelim, two co-defendants, Jordy Cornejo-Campoverde and Andrew Granado, testified against Garcia. Both Cornejo-Campoverde and Granado, along with Jovan Pecina, have status hearings later this month. Meanwhile, Alan Alanis has trial ahead in December or February, depending on court proceedings, and Armando Nunez is spending nearly four years in prison after pleading to lesser counts earlier this year.
9:40 am Tuesday: Cornejo-Campoverde, Granado accept plea agreements as Garcia preliminary hearing continues
While a preliminary hearing continues for the alleged gunman in the Jesus Avila murder over five years ago, two co-defendants have now testified against him.
Jordy Cornejo-Campoverde and Andrew Granado have accepted plea agreements, as confirmed by Assistant Lyon County Attorney Amy Aranda. Details have not been announced by Aranda and nothing has been posted on the state’s information portal. In fact, Cornejo-Campoverde is still listed as having a status hearing Thursday afternoon and Granado is listed as having a status hearing Nov 18.
The alleged gunman, Samuel Garcia, faces charges of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, aggravated robbery, conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery, arson and interference with law enforcement in Avila’s death. Similar charges currently face Cornejo-Campoverde, Granado, Jovan Pecina and Alan Alanis.
Co-defendant Armando Nunez is spending nearly four years in prison after accepting a plea agreement to counts of attempted burglary, criminal damage and interference with law enforcement earlier this year.
