Three teenagers will stand trial March 28, 2012, for the murder of someone who responded to their Craigslist ad to buy a computer in Paradise Hills.
The trio appeared Oct. 27 before San Diego Superior Court Judge Robert O’Neill and pleaded not guilty to murder, two robberies and shooting at an occupied vehicle in the May 11 incident.
Garrett Berki, 18, was shot to death in his car in a cul-de-sac on Artemia Way near state Route 54 and National City. Berki and his girlfriend met the defendants around 10:30 p.m. in the 2800 block of Casey Street in Paradise Hills and were robbed of $640 in cash and their cellphones.
The defendants were also accused of committing the homicide as members or associates of a criminal street gang.
After a two-day preliminary hearing, San Diego Superior Court Judge Joan Weber ruled Oct. 12 there was enough evidence against Rashon Jay Abernathy, 17, Shaquille Jordan, 17, and Seandell Lee Jones, 18, to justify a trial. They face trial as adults.
After Berki was robbed, he followed the trio in his car as they turned into a cul-de-sac trying to get their license plate number. Deputy District Attorney Kristian Trocha said Abernathy fired a shot that went through the windshield of Berki’s car and into his chest.
Abernathy and Jordon remain in Juvenile Hall on $5 million bail, but Jones was transferred to the George Bailey Detention Facility after he turned 18.
