Trial begins in man’s slaying
Two San Diego men face trial today on charges they killed a suspected drug dealer on Super Bowl Sunday two years ago.
Stephen Bennett, 37, and Bernard Smith, 44, of Vista are charged with felonies related to a plan to steal money and cocaine on Feb. 5, 2006, from Brian Gray of Irvine. Smith is accused of shooting Gray. The men allegedly stole cocaine from Gray’s home. If convicted, each faces a maximum sentence of life without the possibility of parole, according to the Orange County district attorney’s office.
A co-defendant, Brandon Turner, 22, of Oceanside, was found guilty by a jury earlier this year of felonies related to the crimes.
-- My-Thuan Tran
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