Spring Valley
A Spring Valley man was ordered Tuesday to stand trial on two murder charges and two attempted-murder charges in connection with an Oct. 15 shooting spree at his apartment complex.
Francisco Uriarte, 31, is being held at County Jail in Chula Vista without bail. Arraignment was set for Feb. 23.
His attorney, Gerson Horn of Beverly Hills, unsuccessfully argued before San Diego Municipal Judge Robert Stahl Jr. that the charges should be reduced to manslaughter.
Those killed were Jeffrey Constantino, 37, and his wife, Nancy, 36, who left a son and daughter.
The wounded victims, John Alva, and Tom Eberwein, testified Monday that Uriarte was their assailant.
Eberwein testified that Uriarte shot him, and he opened his shirt during the court hearing to show the wounds on his arm and side to the judge.
Deputy Dist. Atty. Greg Walden said his office is considering filing special circumstance allegations, which could bring the death penalty for Uriarte if he is convicted of first-degree murder.
Horn has said his client was in a “delusional state” during the shootings and, thus, the crime should not be considered for special circumstances allegations.
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