A Chula Vista man was ordered Jan. 18 to stand trial for two murders in July, 2015 along with special circumstance allegations that could subject him to the death penalty if he’s convicted.
Luiz Alberto “Pelon” Ruiz, 28, is accused of killing Roberto Soria, 25, on July 10, 2015, at 11 p.m. and with killing Pamela Burgos, 24, an hour later outside a house party in Chula Vista.
After hearing testimony for two days in a preliminary hearing, Chula Vista Superior Court Judge Ana Espana took the case under submission and ruled on it Jan. 18. A trial date will be set on Feb. 1.
“The death penalty is still on the table at this point, but no decision has been made,” said Deputy District Attorney Matthew Williams, who said his office could also decide to seek a life term without the possibility of parole if Ruiz is convicted.
Soria was shot to death in the 2600 block of Gould Lane in the Palm City neighborhood. A 22-year-old man with him was wounded and Ruiz is also charged with attempted murder.
Burgos, who was also known as Luiaza Burgos De La Torre, was shot along Quintard Street as she walked with a male companion, who was not injured. It is alleged that Burgos may have been targeted by Ruiz because she was a previous witness in another court case of someone he knew.
The special circumstances include multiple murders, murder during an attempted robbery of Soria, and participation to benefit a criminal street gang. Ruiz is a documented gang member who was convicted of assault with a deadly weapon in 2010 in a stabbing and resisting arrest in 2015 when he punched a police officer several times, according to court records.
Chula Vista and San Diego Police officers were among the witnesses called in the hearing. Ruiz, who has pleaded not guilty, remains in jail without bail.
