The State - News from July 13, 1988

A judge has refused to close a preliminary hearing for a man charged with gunning down 10 people at a Sunnyvale computer company. Richard Farley is charged with seven counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder and one count each of burglary and vandalism for the bloody Feb. 16 rampage at ESL Inc., a defense contractor where he once worked. “There is no substantial probability that the defendant’s right to a fair trial would be prejudiced by any publicity,” San Jose Municipal Judge Edwin Pearce said in allowing the press and public to be on hand for the preliminary hearing. The hearing will determine whether Farley should stand trial in Santa Clara County Superior Court. Farley allegedly walked into the firm brandishing a shotgun, deer rifle and four handguns and opened fire.