Communications Limits Urged for Slaying Suspect

Prosecutors asked a judge Tuesday to restrict all jail communications for accused killer Justin Merriman, arguing that the 26-year-old defendant has used a network of fellow skinhead gang members to intimidate witnesses in his case.

Merriman pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiracy, solicitation and dissuading witnesses by force or threat.

A trial date on the charges was set for March 27--the same day Merriman is scheduled to stand trial on charges of rape, murder, deadly assault, resisting arrest and other crimes. Merriman is accused of killing Santa Monica College student Katrina Montgomery in 1992.

While defense attorneys prepare for the murder case, prosecutors say Merriman has used a network of white supremacist gang members in the state prison system to threaten witnesses. Merriman, they say, solicited help from six women, including his mother, to mail letters to prison inmates that identify individuals who testified before a grand jury last year.

Three of the women have since been indicted on charges of conspiracy and witness intimidation.

During Tuesday’s arraignment, Deputy Dist. Atty. Ron Bamieh renewed a request to cut off Merriman’s jail visits and phone calls, arguing that Merriman abused those privileges to circulate a “hit list.”