Murder Charge Against Sylmar Youth Dropped
Amurder charge against one of two Sylmar gang members accused in the fatal shooting of an 18-year-old man over an alleged drug debt was dropped Wednesday because of insufficient evidence.
San Fernando Municipal Judge Paul I. Metzler dismissed the charge against Isias Segura, 18. Segura and a 16-year-old youth were arrested and charged in connection with the March 17 killing of Juan Silva, also of Sylmar.
Silva was shot once in the head with a .25-caliber handgun on the sidewalk in the 14000 block of Astoria Street, authorities said.
Witnesses identified the juvenile as the gunman. But there were conflicting reports that Segura had been with the youth at the time of the shooting and was seen fleeing the area, said Deputy Dist. Atty. Edward Nison. As a result, the charge against Segura was dropped, Nison said.
Segura, who was being held without bail, was ordered released Wednesday from Los Angeles County Jail.
A hearing to determine whether the 16-year-old should stand trial as a juvenile or an adult is scheduled May 3 in Sylmar Juvenile Hall.
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