Local News in Brief : Spring Valley
A Spring Valley man charged with killing a former Los Angeles Rams football player pleaded innocent Tuesday and was ordered held in County Jail on $1 million bail.
George Raymond Cunnington, 26, is accused of killing Rey Nicholas Phillinganes, 23, of La Mesa, during an attempted robbery on Friday.
Deputy Dist. Atty. Steve Robinson said his office is considering filing another murder charge against Cunnington for a slaying that occurred hours before Phillinganes was shot to death.
Robinson said in court that the DA’s office is weighing whether to file special circumstances allegations, which could bring the death penalty if Cunnington is convicted.
The other victim was Robert Hetmer, 51, of Spring Valley.
If special circumstances are filed, they would allege the Phillinganes murder occurred during an attempted robbery.
A Feb. 6 preliminary hearing was scheduled.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
