Attorneys for Robert Anthony Aldaz, Richard Soto, Ricardo Pineda, Juan Antonio Maldonado, and Juan Carlos Villa argued on 4/24 there was insufficient evidence shown at a preliminary hearing that anyone in the group had used premeditation or deliberation in connection with allegedly stabbing a man 21 times on the Eastside in April 2011. Judge Frank Ochoa, however, said there was enough evidence to deny their motion and said the group could proceed toward trial. The five are charged with conspiracy to commit murder, and all but Soto are charged with attempted premeditated murder.
