Suspect in ’92 Killing Delays Entering Pleas

The prime suspect in the 1992 slaying of college student Katrina Montgomery declined to enter pleas Thursday, a day after being handed a 25-count indictment on charges of rape and murder.

Justin James Merriman, 26, of Ventura, is accused of sexually assaulting and killing the 20-year-old former Ventura High School student.

In addition to those charges, Merriman faces seven counts of rape for allegedly assaulting two other woman in 1994 and 1995. He is also charged with numerous counts stemming from a standoff with a police SWAT team last year.

At a hearing Thursday afternoon, Merriman sought a two-week postponement before entering pleas on any of the charges. A public defender was appointed to his case, and an arraignment is set for Jan. 21.

Merriman is the second man to be charged in the 6-year-old homicide. Two months ago, 22-year-old Larry Robert Nicassio was charged with murder. A hearing in his case is set for Monday.

Montgomery, a waitress and Santa Monica College student, disappeared Nov. 28, 1992, after stopping by an Oxnard party on her way to visit a friend in Ventura.

Her blood-stained truck was later found in the Angeles National Forest in northern Los Angeles County.

The investigation into her disappearance languished for years until county prosecutors picked it up a year ago and began to pursue cold leads. Anyone with information is asked to contact investigator Mark Volpei at 654-5064.