Accused Murderers Heading Back to Court

Ruben Mize, Raul Diaz, Bryan Medinilla, and Ricardo Nava—all facing murder and attempted murder charges for a 2007 attack on 16-year-old Lorenzo Carachure and two others—are scheduled for a trial call the first week of January. Judge Clifford Anderson declared a mistrial earlier this year after a Santa Barbara jury decided it was hopelessly deadlocked and unable to reach a decision, though jurors later indicated they could’ve found Mize guilty of second degree murder had they been allowed to consider it. Prosecutor Hans Almgren offered the four a settlement deal, but the case is currently continuing toward trial.