One of two men suspected in the gang related slaying of a man in National City has been ordered to stand trial for murder. The other man is a fugitive.
Eleazar Mariscal, 34, was ordered held to answer for the slaying of Eduardo Ortega, Jr., 25, at a June 23 preliminary hearing by Chula Vista Superior Court Judge Dwayne Moring.
Enrique Cruz Pompa, 19, remains a fugitive and a warrant for his arrest remains active, said Deputy District Attorney Michael McCann on Monday.
Ortega was stabbed April 9 in the 200 block of North Highland Avenue around 11:30 p.m. He was taken to a hospital where he died shortly after midnight.
Four witnesses, all police officers, testified in the hearing. The judge also ordered Mariscal to stand trial on a gang enhancement that alleges he participated in the crime in association with a criminal street gang.
National City Police detectives arrested Mariscal, of San Diego, April 10. Moring ordered him to next appear in court July 6 to set a trial date. He has pleaded not guilty and he remains in jail on $2 million bail.
Pompa should be considered armed and dangerous, according to National City Police. They say he has shoulder length black hair, 5’8” tall, about 180 pounds with a stocky build.
A National City Police detective spotted Pompa driving a white Chevrolet truck on April 12 in San Diego in the area of S. 33rd Street and Ocean View Blvd. Pompa evaded officers and the truck was found abandoned.
