Trial Moves Forward For Student Who Attacked People At A Synagogue

A 20-year-old Cal State San Marcos nursing student accused of opening fire at a synagogue in San Diego County, killing one woman, and injuring several other people is heading to court on Thursday October 3rd.

John Earnest is facing charges of murder and attempted murder with hate crime enhancements. For the April 27th 2019 shooting at Chabad of Poway.

He is also charged with arson for starting a fire at the Islamic Center of Escondido on March 24th 2019.

Judge Peter Deddeh has ruled there is enough evidence to proceed to trial.

The San Diego County District Attorney’s Office could pursue the death penalty, but has not decided to on that yet.

Earnest also faces more than 100 hate crime-related counts filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and could also face the death penalty in the federal case.

 

(Nelvin C. Cepeda/The San Diego Union-Tribune via AP, Pool, File)