Crime & Safety
Another Delay in Gang Shooting Court Proceedings
Preliminary hearing on Monday in Redwood City can't take place due to a conflict.
A long-delayed preliminary hearing scheduled on Monday for the man accused of a gang-related shooting in Half Moon Bay was once again delayed.
Chris Morales, the defense attorney representing Christian Serrano DeLeon, has an apparent conflict in the case, as he represented a prosecution witness in a prior, unrelated case. Because of the conflict, Morales will have to receive a waiver from that witness.
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DeLeon, the man suspected of in Half Moon Bay's Arleta Park neighborhood last August will next be seen in San Mateo County Superior Court on April 20.
DeLeon, 21, is facing three counts of attempted murder with a gang enhancement, three counts of felony assault with a firearm, and possession of marijuana for sale in connection with the Aug. 14 incident. The marijuana was found after a search of his Metzger Street residence.
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A known member of the Norteños street gang and Half Moon Bay resident, DeLeon allegedly shot at three Sureños gang members at First Avenue and Grove Street while riding a bicycle when opposing members had a verbal confrontation.
One man was shot in the chest, where the bullet lodged in his sternum. The individual's hand was "possibly" grazed as well, according to the county District Attorney's Office. The second man, identified to be , was shot in the foot. Both survived.
While a third individual was not hit with a bullet, prosecutors believe that the individual's location at the time of the shooting was within the "shooting zone," according to Steve Wagstaffe, San Mateo County District Attorney.
According to Wagstaffe's office, one victim has been completely uncooperative and the other victim identified Deleon by his street moniker “Spooky.”
At the time of the incident, DeLeon was out of custody on bail for a gang-related assault case on Dec. 27, 2010, according to the District Attorney's office.
The suspect is currently in custody on no bail status.
This is the third setting of the preliminary hearing date since the initial felony arraignment on September 6, 2011.
