Trial in slaying of Newman officer was set to begin Sept. 1. Here’s why it won’t
A judge Tuesday postponed the trial for the man accused of murdering Newman police Cpl. Ronil Singh in 2018.
Paulo Virgen Mendoza, 33, was supposed to stand trial starting Sept. 1 in Stanislaus Superior Court. Judge Ricardo Córdova granted the defense’s request to move the trial to a date yet to be determined.
It could be January 2021 or later, based on courtroom discussions Tuesday. The parties will still gather there Sept. 1, but only to further consider a trial date.
Defense attorney Stephen Foley said he needs more time to prepare for the case, which could bring the death penalty.
Shooting happened during traffic stop
Singh was shot and killed just before 1 a.m. on Dec. 26, 2018, at Merced Street and Eucalyptus Avenue in Newman.
He was 33 and a seven-year veteran of the force when he died. He left a wife, Anamika, and a son, Arnav, who is now 2.
The prosecution contends that Mendoza shot Singh shortly after the officer pulled him over on suspicion of driving under the influence.
Mendoza was found 55 hours after the shooting, hiding at his aunt and uncle’s home near Bakersfield, police said. Several relatives have already been convicted of trying to help him to allegedly flee to Mexico.
Mendoza remains in Stanislaus County Jail without bail. He attended Tuesday’s session in a striped jail uniform, with shackles on his hands and feet. He listened to the proceedings through a Spanish interpreter.
Córdova had set the Sept. 1 start at the June 11 conclusion of Mendoza’s preliminary hearing. The judge ruled then that the evidence merited a first-degree murder trial.
Prosecutor prefers prompt trial
Marlisa Ferreira, chief deputy district attorney, urged Córdova to stick with Sept. 1. She said a delay would complicate efforts to line up witnesses who aided and abetted Mendoza’s flight but could soon be deported.
Ferreira suggested a January start to the trial, which she estimated would involve four weeks of testimony. The jury would first decide whether Mendoza killed the officer, then consider the death penalty if he is found guilty.
The judge and both attorneys noted the delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic to court operations in general.
“I would like to push this one to the front given the nature of the case,” Ferreira said.
Singh’s death reverberated near and far. Large crowds gathered in Newman and Modesto for vigils and other tributes. Some of the mourners were fellow Indian people who, like the officer, had come from Fiji to the United States.
President Donald Trump cited Singh’s death as another reason for restricting immigration from Mexico. Officials said Mendoza entered the United States illegally.
