San Diego
A 19-year-old Rancho Penasquitos man charged with killing another teen-ager in a gang-related incident will go on trial April 16.
John Michael Mizicko pleaded not guilty Thursday at his arraignment in San Diego Superior Court, and Judge Herbert Exarhos set the trial date at his attorney’s request.
Mizicko is accused of slaying Raymond Jose, 17, of Mira Mesa in a parking lot of a Mira Mesa taco shop Nov. 18. A member of the Mira Mesa Crips gang testified at Mizicko’s preliminary hearing Dec. 21 that Jose was with a group of Crips members at the time.
Mizicko’s lawyer, Ramon Castro, has said the shooting was done in self-defense after the group rushed the car Mizicko was in. He said Mizicko did not intend to kill anyone and aimed low.
The gunshot went through Jose’s arm and heart, a pathologist said.
The cases of two other Rancho Penasquitos teen-agers who were also in the car, both minors, are being handled in Juvenile Court, but prosecutors are attempting to have them tried as adults.
Mizicko remains in County Jail in lieu of $500,000 bail.
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