Grand Jury’s Ethnic Makeup at Issue in Trial
Defense attorneys in a death penalty case have told a judge that they want to examine the racial and ethnic composition of the grand jury that returned a murder indictment against their client.
The public defenders are questioning whether the Ventura County Grand Jury that indicted Jose “Pepe” Castillo in July, fairly represents minorities and women in Ventura County.
Ventura County Superior Court Judge Ken Riley recused himself from ruling on the motion Wednesday. The issue is expected to come before a Santa Barbara County judge in the coming weeks because the entire Ventura County bench voted on members of the 1999-2000 grand jury and has a conflict of interest.
Castillo, 21, is accused of fatally shooting Santa Paula store owner Mirna Regollar during an attempted robbery June 2, 1998. A mother of two and a nursing student at Ventura College, Regollar, 25, was shot in the head and back.
Police arrested a second suspect in the case, but that suspect was released for lack of evidence.
Castillo has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, attempted robbery and burglary, as well as two special circumstance allegations that would make him eligible for the death penalty if he is convicted.
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.
