Murder Suspect’s Trial Moved to Orange County

A judge ruled on Monday that Joselito Cinco will go on trial in Santa Ana in Orange County on charges that he killed two San Diego police officers near Balboa Park last year.

San Diego Superior Court Judge William Low last week granted the change of venue for Cinco, 26, of Spring Valley but took under submission the location for the trial.

Cinco’s attorney, John Cotsirilos, said he preferred Riverside because he practiced there for three years, but Deputy Dist. Atty. Howard Shore said he strongly preferred Orange County.

Broader Base for Jurors

Cinco is charged with the Sept. 14, 1984, murders of Kimberly Tonahill, 24, of La Mesa and Timothy Ruopp, 31, of San Diego and with wounding officer Gary Mitrovich, 26, who responded to the evening shootings.

Low said he thinks the trial should be held in Orange County because it is larger than Riverside and will provide a “broader base” in jury selection.

If convicted of first-degree murder, Cinco could face the death penalty, depending on the recommendation of the jury in a penalty phase which would follow the trial.

Shore said that more than 100 witnesses would be called in the trial, which is expected to last six months, and that the district attorney’s office plans to house them overnight in motels so they won’t be tired from driving on the day they are to testify.

Low scheduled Cinco’s arraignment in Santa Ana Superior Court for Aug. 21, when a trial date will be set. He ordered Cinco transported from San Diego County Jail to a jail in Orange County.

Cotsirilos brought the motion to have the trial moved due to pretrial publicity after surveys showed a majority of the public perceived Cinco to be guilty of the killings.