The Latest: Judge orders trial in synagogue shooting
SAN DIEGO (AP) — The Latest on a preliminary hearing for John T. Earnest, who is charged with an attack on a Southern California synagogue that killed one woman and injured three people. (all times local):
10:50 a.m.
A judge has ordered a 20-year-old former college student to stand trial on charges that he opened fire with an assault rifle inside a Southern California synagogue, killing one woman and injuring three people.
John T. Earnest looked without expression at San Diego Superior Court Judge Peter Deddeh as he learned Friday that he would be tried for murder and attempted murder in the attack on the Chabad of Poway synagogue on April 27, the last day of Passover.
Earnest will also be tried for arson in connection with an earlier fire at a mosque in the San Diego area.
Prosecutors on Thursday played a 12-minute recording of the gunman calmly telling a 911 dispatcher that he had just "shot up" a synagogue to save white people from Jews.
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1 a.m.
A judge has ordered a 20-year-old former college student to stand trial on charges of firing an assault rifle inside a Southern California synagogue, killing one woman and injuring three people.
John T. Earnest looked expressionless at San Diego Superior Court Judge Peter Deddeh as he learned Friday that he would be tried for murder and attempted murder for the attack on the Chabad of Poway synagogue on April 27, the last day of Passover.
Earnest will also be tried for arson in connection with an earlier fire at a nearby mosque in the San Diego area.
If convicted of murder, he could be eligible for the death penalty. A prosecutor says no decision has been made on whether to seek capital punishment..
Prosecutors on Thursday played a 12-minute recording of the gunman calmly telling a 911 dispatcher that he had just "shot up" a synagogue to save white people from Jews.
1 a.m.
A judge is expected to rule whether a 20-year-old former college student should stand trial on charges of firing an assault rifle inside a Southern California synagogue, killing one woman and injuring three people.
John T. Earnest has pleaded not guilty to murder and attempted murder at the synagogue and arson in connection with a fire at a nearby mosque. The judge planned to rule after hearing from a final witness on Friday.
Prosecutors on Thursday played a 12-minute recording of the gunman calmly telling a 911 dispatcher that he had just "shot up" a synagogue to save white people from Jews. The gunman described terms for a peaceful surrender and scolded law enforcement for taking too much time to find him in his parked car.
