Two suspected gangmembers accused of killing a man in a San Mateo pet store parking lot in September and leading California Highway Patrol officers in a pursuit into San Francisco pleaded not guilty to murder charges Friday, according to the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office.
A June 25 jury trial date was set Friday for San Leandro resident Alejandro DeLeon, 23, and Hayward resident Louis Mercado, 21, who face life in prison if they are convicted of their charges, which include enhancements for a gang-related murder, use of a firearm and charges of fleeing law enforcement officers, according to prosecutors.
DeLeon and Mercado are allegedly both Norteño gangmembers who confronted 31-year-old Daniel Corona, a member of the rival Sureño gang, outside the PetSmart store at 3520 South El Camino Real just before 7 p.m. Sept. 6, 2016, according to prosecutors.
DeLeon shot Corona and they both got into a car and drove away. San Mateo police received a description of the car from witnesses and quickly found the pair driving away, prosecutors said.
DeLeon and Mercado refused to pull over and led San Mateo police and CHP officers on a high-speed chase on Interstate 280 and Highway 101 into San Francisco. The suspects threw several items out of the car, including the murder weapon, during the chase, according to prosecutors.
They eventually stopped in the area of Market Street and Octavia Boulevard and were both detained.
DeLeon and Mercado both remain in custody without bail and will next appear in court April 17 for pre-trial conference, according to prosecutors.
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Keep the discussion civilized. Absolutely NO personal attacks or insults directed toward writers, nor others who make comments.
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PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
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