Crime & Safety

Alleged Gunman, 20, Pleads Not Guilty to Double Murder at Penmar Park in Venice

Michael Anthony Mariscal pleads not guilty Wednesday to charges that he murdered two people and wounded a third in a June 2011 shooting at Penmar Park in Venice.

A 20-year-old Culver City man accused of shooting to death two teenagers at Penmar Park in Venice in June 2011 pleaded not guilty Wednesday during his arraignment at the Airport Branch Courthouse.

Michael Anthony Mariscal has been charged with capital murder for the slaying of Salvador Diaz Jr. and Alan Mateo, who were both 18. Mariscal also is accused of wounding a third man.

Mariscal, wearing a blue Los Angeles County Jail jumpsuit with his wrists and ankles shackled, entered his plea before Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Katherine Mader and also denied the special allegations that make him eligible for the death penalty.

Public defender Richard Caillouette represented Mariscal and asked that a separate case in which Mariscal is accused of fighting in jail also be combined in Mader's court.

Mariscal has been accused of opening fire on the victims, who were sitting June 22, 2011 in the bleachers watching a baseball game in broad daylight. He faces two counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder and one count each of street terrorism and possession of a firearm by a felon.

Police have described Mariscal as a "documented gang member," but his family has stated that he's never been in a gang.

Mariscal is being held without bail. The case is moving forward following a recent one-day preliminary hearing that found there was enough evidence to move forward with a trial.

Mader set a pre-trial hearing date of July 17 after Mariscal waived his right to a speedy trial. His trial will start within 60 days of July 17 as both Caillouette and Deputy District Attorney Teresa Magno told the court they needed more time to prepare for the case.

A special circumstances committee will decide whether prosecutors seek the death penalty, Magno said.

Diaz had graduated from the Venice Skills Center just before he was killed and Mateo was set to graduate from Venice High School the day after the shooting.


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