Prelim Hearing Set for Suspect in Murder of Venice Youth Pastor

A preliminary hearing for the suspect in the murder of 23-year-old Venice youth pastor Oscar Duncan was set Tuesday during a court proceeding attended by the victim's cousin and aunt.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Keith L. Schwartz set a July 18 preliminary hearing date for suspected gang member Kevin Dwayne Green, 29, who has been charged with one count of murder with gun use and street gang allegations.

Green listened to the short hearing out of view from a television camera in the courtroom due to identification issues related to the case, as he did during his arraignment.

The court proceeding was attended by Duncan's cousin, Lanee Burns, and an aunt.

Deputy District Attorney Teresa Magno of the Hardcore Gang Division told Schwartz the preliminary hearing likely would last four to six hours. Prosecutors during a preliminary hearing present a minimum of evidence to show probable cause for a trial and the judge likely will rule the same day on whether the case should proceed, Magno said.

Prosecutors have turned over their discovery evidence to the defense and are ready to proceed, Magno said.

Duncan was shot and killed June 4 about 10:30 p.m. in the 600 block of Santa Clara Avenue. He was a 2006 graduate of Venice High School and a former "Youth of the Year" with the Boys & Girls Club of Venice.

Prosecutors said that Green was among a group of men who allegedly drove up to Duncan and his girlfriend, who were standing on the street. They jeered at Duncan's girlfriend and shouted a gang name as one of them fired a single shot, striking Duncan in the head, according to the district attorney's office.

Green also was charged with a separate count of second degree robbery in connection with an incident that occurred May 21, and with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Green is being held on $2 million bail. If convicted, he faces a minimum of 50 years to life in prison.

The LAPD had announced that a second 22-year-old suspect was arrested in connection with the slaying, but no charges were filed and he has since been released.

Duncan was a homecoming king, prom king and captain of the football team at Venice High School. After graduation, he worked as a mentor at the Venice Boys & Girls Club and also was an instructor in the club's audio engineering program. Duncan, known as "ChoirBoy" for his gospel-inspired hip-hop, also was a talented singer and dancer. In addition, he was a youth pastor at a Compton church and helped oversee 1,500 youths.

Police said shortly after the shooting that they were seeking up to four men seen in a white sedan.

Anyone with information on the shooting should call LAPD homicide detectives at 213-382-9470, or after business hours at 877-527-3247.