Local News in Brief : Trial Ordered in Slaying
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A drug addict accused of killing restaurateur Alberto Sarno to “shut him up” during a holdup was ordered Friday to stand trial on murder and attempted robbery charges.
Ex-convict Ralph Mora, 33, was also ordered to stand trial on a special circumstance allegation--murder during an attempted robbery--that qualifies him for a possible death penalty if convicted.
Mora is accused of fatally shooting Sarno, 59, outside his gated Los Feliz home during an Oct. 20 attempted robbery to support his heroin addiction. Sarno was returning home after closing his restaurant, Sarno’s Caffe Dell’Opera on North Vermont Avenue, for the evening.
Municipal Judge Alban Niles, ruling at the conclusion of a preliminary hearing, found there was sufficient evidence for Mora to stand trial in Superior Court. He ordered Mora to remain in custody without bail pending arraignment next Friday.
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