Juarez Sentencing Postponed

The sentencing hearing for Ricardo Juarez, a soon-to-be 16-year-old convicted of killing another teen in March 2007, has once again been postponed.

Santa Barbara Superior Court Judge Brian Hill postponed the hearing until next Wednesday, when it is expected to last one-and-a-half to two days. The reason was because the defense filed a motion for a retrial, but the judge has not yet had enough time to review the prosecution’s response.

Juarez, convicted of voluntary manslaughter, of using a knife in the attack, and of committing the offense to benefit a criminal street gang, faces 14 to 22 years behind bars if the judge decides to sentence him as an adult.

Meanwhile, the accused killers of Emmanuel Roldan – the Santa Barbara teen who was stabbed to death along Cabrillo Boulevard during Fourth of July festivities last year – were also in front of Hill on Thursday. A date of January 26 was set for their preliminary hearing. At that time, the judge will decide whether or not there is enough evidence for the case to go to a jury trial.