Pretrial motions began on Thursday prior to the jury selection for the trial of two individuals accused of killing a 36-year-old Hemet resident during a failed kidnapping attempt.
The defendants, Alberto Franco (27) of Hemet and Christian Anselmo Gomez (46) of Homeland, were arrested in November 2020 for the alleged murder of the victim, who is identified in court records as “S.C.”
Both defendants are facing charges of first-degree murder, assault resulting in great bodily injury, and attempted kidnapping. Additionally, they have sentence-enhancing allegations for gun possession and great bodily injury. Franco is also charged with attempted carjacking.
Riverside County Superior Court Judge Mark Singerton addressed various motions regarding evidence, witnesses, scheduling, and other matters at the Banning Justice Center on Thursday. The commencement of jury selection is scheduled for the following week.
Both defendants are currently held at the Byrd Detention Center in Murrieta, with bail set at $1 million each.
According to Hemet Police Lt. Nathan Miller, the victim was approached by the duo in an alleyway on East Stetson Avenue at around 6:30 p.m. on November 2, 2020. Miller alleged that the defendants cornered and assaulted the man, who managed to break free and seek refuge outside a pizza parlor in a nearby strip mall.
“The suspects pursued the victim, trapping him, and one of them proceeded to shoot him multiple times,” stated Lt. Miller.
As witnesses dialed 911, Franco and Gomez fled the scene in a white SUV. However, a few moments later, the vehicle collided with a brick structure outside a residence on South Palm Avenue, causing the engine to stall, according to Miller. The defendants then fled on foot in a southerly direction.
Patrol officers quickly responded to the incident location and initiated a search for the suspects, which concluded in the early hours of the following day when both individuals were discovered hiding on Coral Avenue. They were apprehended without further resistance.
Authorities have not disclosed the motive behind the alleged targeting of the victim.
Neither defendant has a documented history of felony convictions in Riverside County.
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