Santa Ana : Ramirez May Face Trial in Orange County First
Richard Ramirez, the suspect accused of killing 14 people in the Night Stalker slayings, may face trial in Orange County before he faces any charges in Los Angeles, according to the Orange County district attorney’s office.
Officials in Orange County have been told by Arturo Hernandez, the suspect’s attorney, that Ramirez will not waive or postpone action on the charges of attempted murder, rape and robbery at his court appearance in Santa Ana on June 26. That would necessitate a preliminary hearing within 10 days.
The Orange County charges allege that Ramirez attacked a Mission Viejo couple in their home on Aug. 25, 1985, seriously injuring William Carns and raping his companion. Ramirez pleaded not guilty to the Orange County charges in March of 1986.
His trial in Los Angeles, where he is accused of mass murder, is scheduled for Sept. 30.
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