HACIENDA HEIGHTS : Suspect ‘Looking for Fight,’ Detective Says
A former Los Altos High School student was looking for a fight just minutes before the shooting death of a schoolmate, a veteran homicide detective testified Monday.
Roger Liang, 17, of Hacienda Heights, has pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder in the Jan. 20, 1994, shooting death of Benjamin Barraza, 17.
Liang, who is being tried as an adult, was bound over for trial after a preliminary hearing Monday in Citrus Municipal Court. He will be arraigned March 13 in Pomona Superior Court. If convicted, he faces 30 years to life in prison.
During the preliminary hearing, Sheriff’s Detective Lynn Reeder testified about statements given by eyewitnesses in the case.
A witness who had been in a parking lot when Liang came by, told police that Liang had said to him: “Is there anyone you don’t like? I’ll take care of him,” Reeder testified.
Liang appeared in court but did not testify.
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.
