Man Held in Slaying to Stand Trial
An 18-year-old former Oxnard man has been ordered to stand trial on a charge of murder in the execution-style slaying of another teenager last year, a prosecutor said Friday.
Marcel Williams was arrested in Alameda County last year after an analysis of DNA collected at his Oxnard house matched the victim’s blood.
Following his preliminary hearing Tuesday in Ventura County Superior Court, Williams was ordered to stand trial in the shooting death of 18-year-old Joshua Pelaya in February 2003, said Deputy Dist. Atty. Richard Simon. Pelaya, who knew Williams, was shot twice in the back of the head at his home.
The motive for the slaying appears to be personal, but authorities declined to elaborate. Williams remained jailed Friday in lieu of $750,000 bail. His arraignment was scheduled for March 9.
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