LAKEPORT — The four people who were allegedly involved in a shooting homicide on Sept. 9 in Clearlake entered not guilty pleas Tuesday morning at the Lake County Superior Court.
Joshua Robert Beavers, 24, who is accused of being the shooter in the incident, faces more than 10 felony charges including the murder of David Ferrell and the attempted murder of two more people.
Orlando Esquivel, 48, Angel Aileen Esquivel, 50, and Brenden Alicea, 25, face charges for allegedly aiding and abetting Beavers while he allegedly committed the murder. The three were reportedly present when the homicide took place in the area of 19th and Phillips avenues. After the shooting authorities said the suspects fled and aided Beavers in his attempt to evade arrest. The four were arrested hours later.
The group presented not guilty pleas via their attorneys and waived their rights to a speedy preliminary hearing.
Public Defender Mitchell Hauptman, who was assigned to represent Angel Esquivel, was excused because he represented one of the defendants in the past, which presented a conflict, Hauptman stated. Defense attorney Lisa Profitt will be replacing him as Angel Esquivel”s attorney.
A preliminary hearing was scheduled for Oct. 16, during which it will be determined if there is enough evidence to pursue a jury trial. All four defendants are in custody at the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility.
Beavers” bail is currently set at $2.9 million, but a bail hearing is scheduled for Oct. 1, when his bail may be adjusted.
Orlando Esquivel, Angel Esquivel and Alicea had their bail set during arraignment at $250,000, but will also receive a bail evaluation during the Oct. 1 hearing.
The court dates were for Beavers and his alleged accomplices were scheduled at the same time because the prosecution is trying to keep the matters tied together as long as possible, Chief Deputy District Attorney Richard Hinchcliff said in court.
Isaac Brambila is an associate editor for Lake County Publishing. Reach him at 263-5636 ext. 37 or at ibrambila@record-bee.com.
