The District Attorney’s Office will seek the death penalty against the man accused of fatally shooting Newman police Cpl. Ronil Singh the day after Christmas in 2018.
“After thoughtful consideration, deliberation, and much consultation with the victim’s family and their wishes, we are seeking the death penalty in this special circumstance murder case,” Chief Deputy District Attorney Jeff Mangar said in an email to The Bee.
He made the announcement in court last week during a hearing for Paulo Virgen Mendoza.
Also during the hearing, Judge Ricardo Córdova denied a motion by defense attorney Stephen Foley to put off Mendoza’s preliminary hearing, which is scheduled to begin Tuesday.
Mangar said Mendoza’s preliminary hearing had been continued three times previously, once at the request of the prosecution because a witness was not available to testify and twice at the request of the defense to have more time to prepare.
Foley argued in a motion filed May 15, that as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, neither he nor officials from the Mexican Consulate have been able to visit Mendoza in person since March 14.
According to the motion, several meetings between Mendoza, Foley and an attorney from the consulate had to be canceled as a result of the pandemic.
Foley wrote in the motion that he needs to “discuss the specifics of an important matter which arose since the setting of the Preliminary Hearing ... Because of the sensitive nature of this matter ... only a face to face discussion would facilitate a productive outcome.”
In his opposition to Foley’s motion, Mangar wrote, “Many court staff, judicial officers and attorneys, have managed to meet without concern for Covid-19 via Zoom, Teams, Skype and other virtual means in addition to telephone conferencing.”
He also pointed to a notice by the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department regarding limitations on visits, which said attorneys could still conduct their visits through glass or by video visit.
The preliminary hearing, to determine if there is enough evidence for Mendoza to stand trial, is expected to last four days.
Authorities say Mendoza shot Singh shortly after the police corporal pulled him over near the intersection of Merced Street and Eucalyptus Avenue on suspicion of driving under the influence.
A 55-hour manhunt ended with Mendoza’s capture at a home near Bakersfield.
At least five people have been convicted in federal court of helping Mendoza as he fled from authorities.
Source: modbee.com, Erin Tracy, June 2, 2020
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