Painter ordered to stand trial in shooting of San Diego sports anchor

A San Diego judge Wednesday ruled that there was sufficient evidence to order a house painter to stand trial in the shooting of a local sportscaster.

Judge Michael Smyth set a trial date of Nov. 2 for Mike Montana, 54. Montana, accused of attempted murder and shooting into an occupied vehicle, pleaded not guilty.

Kyle Kraska, 48, sports anchor at KFMB-TV, testified Tuesday that he had a dispute about money with Montana, who is accused of shooting him six times and leaving him for dead in the street.

Kraska said Montana confronted him outside Kraska’s house in Scripps Ranch and began shooting. Kraska was backing his Mercedes from his driveway.

“I just kept hearing gunshots, glass [breaking] and complete chaos,” Kraska testified during a preliminary hearing in San Diego County Superior Court.

During the preliminary hearing, Kraska testified that he had paid Montana $800 but the painter demanded another $2,200. Kraska said he was dissatisfied with Montana’s work, which he said was sloppy.

“He kept firing his weapon and I looked down and saw holes in my clothing,” Kraska said. “I told him, ‘You shot me.’ He said nothing.”

Kraska was in a coma for weeks after the Feb. 10 attack. After multiple surgeries, he has returned to work. Expert testimony said Kraska was struck by six rounds.

At one point during the preliminary hearing, Montana appeared to wave at Kraska and smile.

Montana was arrested without incident hours after the shooting at the El Cajon home where he rented a room.

Kraska read a note in court that he said Montana had left at his home which warned, “It’s in your best interest to pay the money you owe me.”

Special correspondent Neal Putnam contributed to this report.