Arraignments Delayed for Murder Suspects

Arraignments for the four men charged with first degree murder, as well as for the man charged with being an accessory to the crime, were all delayed Thursday. The men are all charged for their alleged participation in the July 16, 2007, stabbing murder of Lorenzo Carachure, a 16-year-old who was walking home from work with his cousin and friend, who were also stabbed on San Pascual Street near Ortega Street. The three were chased down one-by-one and attacked by a large group of young men armed with clubs and knives, according to police.

Carlos Diaz, 19, Emilio Mora, 19, Ruben Mize, 16, and Bryan Medinilla, 16, were all charged with first degree murder. Mora, Mize and Medinilla, who are all in custody at Santa Barbara County Jail without bail, will all be arraigned on May 14. Diaz’s bail is set at $1 million, with his day in court coming on May 12. Robert Martinez, who is facing two charges-being an accessory after the fact of murder and active participation in a street gang-will be arraigned on May 13 and is currently being held on $1 million bail.

Diaz, Mora, Mize and Medinilla also face two additional charges of attempted murder for their alleged attacks on the other two victims. Mize is also facing an additional attempted murder charge for a separate attack which occurred on January 17 during which a 17-year-old was stabbed near Bohnett Park, a popular hangout for gang members. Some of the defendants are also facing gang enhancements and charges related to some of their suspected involvement in gang activity.

The court appearance will be the second of the week for Mora, who was recently convicted of felony possession of a deadly weapon-a knife-with a gang enhancement in relation to a separate case. Mora accepted a plea agreement for 365 days behind bars. He will be sentenced on May 13 by Judge George Eskin.