Accused of Officer’s Slaying : Questions Remain as Penn Begins Hearing

Security is expected to be tight today at a preliminary hearing in Municipal Court for Sagon Penn, accused of killing a San Diego police officer five weeks ago and wounding another patrolman and a civilian observer.

The hearing will determine if Penn is to be tried in Superior Court on one count of murder and two counts of attempted murder.

It may also provide Penn, a 23-year-old karate expert, with his first opportunity to explain publicly what happened on the evening of March 31, when he is accused of scuffling with patrolman Donovan J. Jacobs after the officer stopped Penn’s truck in Southeast San Diego. During the tussle, Penn grabbed Jacobs’ holstered revolver and began shooting, authorities said.

Jacobs was wounded in the neck. Patrolman Thomas E. Riggs, who had been following in another patrol car and stopped to assist Jacobs, was shot twice in the chest and killed. A civilian observer riding with Riggs, Sarah Pina-Ruiz, suffered two minor wounds.

Penn turned himself in at police headquarters a short time later. He has remained ever since in the San Diego County Jail in lieu of $250,000 bail.

Penn, Pina-Ruiz and Jacobs have never spoken publicly about the shooting episode. The incident prompted Police Department officials to launch a massive study of officer safety in San Diego.

Numerous questions about the March 31 shooting remain unanswered. Primarily, police officials have never explained why Jacobs stopped Penn’s truck. When Jacobs attempted to question Penn, a scuffle ensued. That, too, has never been fully explained.

Some witnesses have said that Jacobs struck Penn without provocation. But homicide investigators, based on interviews with other witnesses, have concluded without providing details that Penn struck Jacobs first.

Witnesses said that Jacobs and Penn exchanged blows and fell to the ground, with Jacobs on top. Witnesses said Penn then wrested Jacobs’ .38-caliber revolver from its holster and began firing.

Mike Carpenter, prosecuting deputy district attorney, said Monday that Jacobs is not expected to testify at the preliminary hearing. Jacobs remains in the physical rehabilitation unit at Grossmont Hospital, recovering from his wound.

Carpenter added that Pina-Ruiz will likely testify at the hearing, which is expected to last at least two days.

Her observations may prove to be among the most damaging to Penn. Some witnesses have said that after Penn shot the two officers, he walked to Riggs’ patrol car and fired through the window at the unarmed Pina-Ruiz as she radioed for help.

Carpenter expressed confidence that there is enough evidence available to prove to the court that Penn should be tried on murder and attempted murder charges. Penn has pleaded innocent to all counts.

It was not immediately known what strategy Penn’s attorney, Robert E. Slatten, plans to employ. He could not be reached for comment Monday.

However, Leonard Knight, acting as a spokesman for Penn’s family, said Monday that Penn remains upbeat, spending his time studying the Bible.

“This is a very scary situation for him. . . . I think he’s faring well all in all,” Knight said.