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Monday, 24 September 2007 01:39

Trial Date Expected to be Set Today, for Mokelumne Hill Murder

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After the conviction of Daniel Rocha in the Mokelumne Hill murder of David Jessop, the second step by prosecutors will be taken today when a trial date is expected to be set for the second suspect in the murder, Donald Pińon. Pińon is charged with the March 16, 2005 murder of Jessop, 19, during a failed attempt to steal drugs and money from the home Jessop shared with confessed drug dealer James McLain.

According to the Union Democrat, law enforcement believes that Jessop was an incidental victim because he allegedly recognized Pińon and his companion, Daniel Rocha, and had to be silenced. Rocha, who Pińon claims fired the shot that killed Jessop, was convicted Aug. 29 of first-degree murder and other charges in connection with the slaying. Rocha claimed in his defense that Pińon was the shooter. Rocha and Pińon’s statements to police, accusing one another of firing the fatal bullet, are prosecutor Seth Matthews' main evidence against the pair, since their differing versions of events have one thing in common: each version places them both at the crime scene. Visiting Judge Duane Martin from Manteca will preside at Monday's hearing in Calaveras County Superior Court. He was the presiding judge in Rocha's trial. Matthews was the prosecutor. Rocha is to be sentenced in November. Attorney Cyril Ash of Murphys has been appointed to defend Pińon. Amador County Attorney and former District Attorney Steve Cilenti was Rocha's counsel. Union Democrat Contribution

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