A judge on April 10 set an Aug. 5 trial date for Jon Ralph Dibble, 25, who is accused of two counts of attempted murder involving a threat to torch a Chula Vista motel via beer bottles filled with gasoline.
Dibble, of Chula Vista, pleaded not guilty in Chula Vista Superior Court and waived his right to a speedy trial. Dibble was ordered March 26 to stand trial for attempted arson and burglary of the Riviera Motel at 372 Broadway in Chula Vista.
Dibble was arrested Sept. 30 by Chula Vista Police following a 1:55 a.m. 911 call by a resident who said he was trying to break into her room. Police discovered wire and cable that were attached to several motel room doors that might have locked occupants inside.
Police found that Dibble was carrying four beer bottles that contained gasoline and he had torn parts of his shirt to make wicks, according to previous testimony. He had been living temporarily at the Riviera Motel at the time.
Motel guests and a Chula Vista Police detective testified Dibble made strange comments, saying he thought his ex-girlfriend was being held against her will in one room with tape across her face. Dibble admitted to putting cable around three door knobs.
He is also charged with four counts of possession of incendiary devices that contained gasoline which could have acted like Molotov cocktails if the wick was lit and thrown. Dibble remains in the South Bay Detention Facility on $3 million bail.
