Five young people accused of fatally beating a 55-year-old homeless man after a confrontation with the victim and another transient in Santee must stand trial for murder, a judge ruled Tuesday.
After a two-day preliminary hearing, El Cajon Superior Court Judge Herbert Exarhos found that enough evidence was presented for Cassidy Rowin, 18, Sarah Baillie, 18, Tyler Dare, 19, Brian Kish, 19, and Danny Swan III, also 19, to stand trial July 6 for the murder of Stephen Lee Hissom.
Charges were dismissed against Cheyenne Maloof, who was 16 when arrested in connection with the killing.
The judge also dismissed assault charges against all defendants.
Hissom and 49-year-old Edward Allen were riding bikes on Nov. 29 along a path in the 9300 block of Mission Gorge Road, under a state Route 52 overpass, when they got into an argument with the defendants, according to the prosecution.
Allen testified that Hissom first asked the defendants to “please move,” then said, “Get the hell out of the way.”
Allen said he was surrounded then attacked, but couldn’t see what happened to his friend Hissom.
The defendants each face 15 years to life in prison if convicted, said Deputy District Attorney George Modlin.
— City News Service
