OXNARD : Man, 19, Pleads Not Guilty in Killing
A 19-year-old Oxnard man pleaded not guilty Tuesday to murder in the shooting death of a rival gang member in front of a local convenience store last month.
Robert B. Truitt is accused of shooting Manuel Albis, 21, of Oxnard after the pair exchanged gang signs March 19 near Dorija’s Market on Channel Islands Boulevard in Oxnard.
Albis was standing with a group of young men behind the market when he recognized Truitt on the other side of El Dorado Avenue, Deputy Dist. Atty. Donald C. Glynn said.
The men, members of rival street gangs, flashed signs at each other. Then Truitt ran across the street, fired several shots at Albis and fled, Glynn said. Albis was pronounced dead at the scene.
Truitt, who surrendered to Oxnard police in April, is being held in lieu of $250,000 bail at Ventura County Jail. A preliminary hearing is set for April 21.
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.
