Following a preliminary hearing, Superior Court Judge Carol Ash ruled today that sufficient evidence exists to bind 19 year old Juan Manuel Mendez of Merced over for trial in the murder of DeAngelo Smith, 17, a Golden Valley High School student and athlete. Additionally, Judge Ash found sufficient evidence that Mendez participated in the attempted murder of 17 year-old confidential victim “JS.” She further found that Mendez committed the crime for the benefit of the Norteno street gang, and that he was vicariously armed with a deadly weapon. Mendez now faces multiple life sentences if convicted at trial.
