Linda Vista
- Share via
Special circumstances allegations were filed Wednesday against a sailor charged with fatally stabbing two teen-age girls in Linda Vista and trying to kill their brother.
Ralph Joseph Johns, 21, pleaded innocent before San Diego Municipal Court Judge Robert McDonald, who ordered him held without bail.
Johns could be given the death penalty if he is convicted of first-degree murder in the Nov. 8 deaths of Lori Cvengros, 15, and Tina Cvengros, 18. Their 13-year-old brother, David, survived the knife attack by pretending to be dead.
The special circumstances alleged that the killings occurred during a sex crime and involved multiple victims.
McDonald set an April 28 preliminary hearing and granted a defense motion blocking facial photographs of Johns by television and newspaper photographers.
Elliot Lande, Johns’ attorney, successfully argued that if his client’s picture was shown on television it could affect the 13-year-old brother’s ability to identify Johns as his attacker.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
