Three defendants facing trial in the stabbing death of a Wildomar pastor's son will be judged by a jury of their peers from Southwest Riverside County, rather than a panel from Riverside, as their attorneys requested.
The request was made during the start of the jury selection process in the trial of
Riverside County Superior Court Judge Angel Bermudez out of the presence of prospective jurors was asked by Basler's attorney to summon a jury pool from Riverside, according to court records.
But on Thursday, following arguments by all counsel, it was determined that the current crop of prospects would suffice in the selection process, court documents indicate.
Bermudez ordered everyone back to court Monday to continue jury selection.
The defendants face 60 years in prison if convicted of murder, attempted murder and weapons allegations in the Dec. 26, 2008, slaying of 22-year-old Ryan Joshua Armstrong and the stabbing of his friend, Joel Ross.
They are each being held in lieu of $1 million bail at the Southwest Detention Center in Murrieta.
While awaiting trial -- and sitting in jail -- Fung picked up a misdemeanor battery charge and Basler picked up two felony assault charges, according to court papers.
Black was charged with possession of a hand-made weapon in jail, according to court records.
According to testimony during the preliminary hearing, the murder was committed after Basler, Black and Fung -- all of San Diego -- went to E.T.'s Bar in Temecula on the same night Armstrong, Ross and about 10 other friends went there to play pool.
To read more about the case, please click here.
