Hearing Set for Alleged Accomplice in Shooting

A judge Tuesday set April 10 as the date of a preliminary hearing for Dino D’Saachs, accused of driving the getaway car in a murder attempt on an Irvine businessman last month.

The preliminary hearing will determine if D’Saachs, 56, should stand trial on charges that could carry a life sentence, authorities said.

The Altadena man is accused of driving a van involved in the attack on James Patrick Riley, who was shot in the face as he arrived for work at his Irvine Spectrum office Feb. 28.

Henry Salcido, D’Saachs’ attorney, said his client wants an early hearing because the process is emotionally trying for him.

Appearing Tuesday in Orange County Superior Court, D’Saachs looked pale but managed to smile at family members.

His lawyer said D’Saachs was “grief-stricken” when he heard about the suicide of Dr. Larry Ford, whom police had questioned in connection with the attack on Riley.

The two had been close friends for 20 years; they met while D’Saachs was driving a bus in Los Angeles, Salcido said, adding that Ford had been the personal physician for members of D’Saachs’ family.

Salcido also confirmed that D’Saachs had been driving in the area at the time of the shooting, although he would not be more specific.

The gunman in the attack remains at large, but police have said that Ford, Riley’s partner in Biofem Inc., was a suspect. Ford fatally shot himself three days after the attack on Riley. Authorities said he left a suicide note maintaining his innocence.