Double homicide suspect arraigned in court

The man accused of shooting four people in Salinas, killing two of them, made his first appearance in court on Monday. Sammuel Ejaz was formally arraigned in Monterey County Superior Court where he pleaded not guilty to four charges — two counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder.

Police say last Thursday, the Southern California man tracked down his estranged wife at a Salinas business center near a Social Security office. He approached the car she was in with her aunt, uncle and cousin and fired into it, hitting all four of them. Felicidad and Oliver Legaspi were killed. At last check, his wife was in serious but stable condition, her cousin is expected to survive.

Ejaz’s preliminary hearing has been set for September 11. When we spoke to Assistant District Attorney Jeannine Pacioni, she said because this is a double homicide, Ejaz could face life without parole or the death penalty. The Monterey County Sheriff’s Offices says Ejaz is still on suicide watch.