Judge Orders Trial in Jewelry Store Killing : Courts: Alleged ringleader of bandits whose La Jolla robberies left a man dead faces murder charges.

The alleged ringleader of a gang of bandits that simultaneously robbed two La Jolla jewelry stores on Mother’s Day--resulting in the death of an innocent man--was ordered to stand trial Monday on charges of murder and conspiracy.

Alton Pierce, 29, who was arrested in Bakersfield five months after the shooting at J. Jessop & Sons, faces trial in San Diego County Superior Court after a three-day preliminary hearing in front of Municipal Judge David J. Danielson.

The star witness for the prosecution was Pierce’s girlfriend, 22-year-old Jenifer Inez Arce of San Diego, who testified Thursday that Pierce organized a group of six men to rob Jessop and the nearby C.J. Charles jewelry store. Arce testified after prosecutors offered her a plea bargain in exchange for her testimony.

Brian Sullivan, 34, of Tierrasanta was shopping in Jessop when the robbery occurred. He was shot in the head during the heist.

While police have arrested three of the robbers, it is believed that the gunman in the Sullivan shooting is still at large.

Michael Wayne Lacy, 21, of Los Angeles pleaded not guilty last week to charges that police hope all of the robbers will eventually face--murder, conspiracy to commit robbery, and four counts of robbery.

Ronald Winston, 29, of Los Angeles pleaded not guilty Monday after being arrested in Los Angeles last week.

Both Lacy and Winston are being held in lieu of $1-million bail, but they will both attempt to convince a judge to lower the amount at hearings later this week.

San Diego Police Lt. John Welter said that a third man suspected of being one of the robbers remains in custody in Los Angeles after being arrested last week. Three other men remain at large, he said, but more arrests are expected soon.

Pierce will appear in Superior Court on Dec. 21 for an arraignment and a trial date. Until then, he will be held without bail.