Update: Judge orders defendant to trial in shooting death of Newman police officer
A judge Thursday ordered Paulo Virgen Mendoza to stand trial for the shooting death of Newman police Cpl. Ronil Singh in 2018.
Judge Ricardo Córdova issued the ruling at the end of a seven-day preliminary hearing in Stanislaus Superior Court. He scheduled the trial to start Sept. 1 on a first-degree murder charge with enhancements that could bring the death penalty.
The prosecution said Mendoza shot Singh shortly after the officer pulled him over on suspicion of driving under the influence at Merced Street and Eucalyptus Avenue in Newman. It happened just before 1 a.m. on Dec. 26, 2018.
Mendoza was found 55 hours after the shooting, hiding at his aunt and uncle’s home in Lamont, near Bakersfield, police said.
Virgen, 33, will return to court for arraignment July 8. He remains in Stanislaus County Jail without bail.
Singh was 33 and a seven-year veteran of the Newman force when he was shot down. He left a wife, Anamika, and a son, Arnav, who is almost 2.
Singh family members and Newman Police Chief Randy Richardson attended Thursday’s session. They declined to comment on the outcome.
‘Very calculated’ actions
Thursday’s session started with a closing argument from Marlisa Ferreira, chief deputy district attorney, on why Mendoza should be tried for premeditated murder. She said he clearly knew that Singh could arrest him on two Madera County warrants and that the officer would find a firearm in his pickup.
Ferreira also cited a detective’s finding that Mendoza loaded extra bullets into his 9 mm Smith and Wesson during his encounter with Singh.
“There are conscious decisions he’s making in a very short time, but very calculated,” she said.
Short defense statement
Defense attorney Stephen Foley said he could not give his own lengthy statement because he was not allowed enough time to review transcripts of the testimony. He did say Mendoza showed no “intent to kill.”
Foley said a delay is justified “in such as serious case where the People are seeking to terminate the life of my client.”
Mendoza wore shackles and a striped jail uniform during Thursday’s session. He rarely looked around as the proceedings were translated into Spanish through an earpiece.
National reaction
Singh’s killing brought an outpouring of grief at vigils and other events in Newman and beyond. President Donald Trump cited the death as another reason for clamping down on immigration. Mendoza immigrated from Mexico illegally and was headed there when he was arrested, officials said.
Several other people have been convicted on federal charges of helping Mendoza try to escape. They include his wife, Ana Leydi Cervantes, and brothers Conrado Virgen Mendoza and Adrian Virgen Mendoza.
A jury will determine first whether Mendoza killed Singh, then whether he should be put to death. Gov. Gavin Newsom has ordered a moratorium on all executions, but these cases can still go through the courts.
This story was originally published June 11, 2020 at 7:42 PM.
