A judge has ordered a North Park man to stand trial for the murder of Jason “Cowboy” Huggins and felony assault of his boyfriend, both of whom were hit in the head with rocks in a canyon.
Joshua James Larson, 37, will get a trial date set Oct. 27 when he appears before a San Diego superior court judge. Larson remains in the George Bailey Detention Facility on $1 million bail.
Huggins, 31, and his boyfriend Nathan Meza were homeless and living in a tent in a canyon when they were attacked June 22. After Huggins was injured, he was able to walk to Washington Street and someone called 911.
“He was in a great deal of pain. He was confused. He said he and his boyfriend were hit with a rock,” said Julie Miller, who saw the ambulance arrive for Huggins.
Huggins was taken to a hospital, but his injury wasn’t obvious, as witnesses testified they saw no blood. He went into a coma and died July 6 from a skull fracture and brain injuries.
Larson and Huggins also have history – Huggins testified against Larson in March, 2009, in a possession of marijuana for sale case, in which Larson later pleaded guilty. Larson served 293 days in jail and was placed on three years probation, which has since been revoked now that he’s charged with murder, court records show.
Thirteen witnesses testified in the Oct. 12 preliminary hearing before San Diego Superior Court Judge Laura Parsky. Meza testified he saw a man choke Huggins with his arm around his neck.
“He looked enraged and was obviously angry at Jason,” said Meza.
Meza said he was struck with a rock to his face that punctured his cheek. He became disoriented and left to get help. “I saw him punch him in the face, but I didn’t see him hit Jason with a rock,” said Meza.
When he last looked at Huggins, the fight had stopped and he continued up the canyon. Meza said he tried to flag down cars, and a man took him to the Ralph’s store in Hillcrest to get a first aid kit.
Meza later went to Mercy Hospital for treatment, but after police arrived, he lied about the fight’s location. Meza claimed the fight occurred behind Ralph’s out of “respect” for Red, a homeless man in the canyon who had let Meza and Huggins stay in that area.
Police detective Michael Lambert testified he searched the area behind Ralph’s and could not find any evidence of a fight there. Meza didn’t know that Huggins had been able to get to a hospital until police later told him.
Raymond Madrid, a paramedic, testified he found Huggins who was “frantic, asking where his boyfriend was.”
Larson’s attorney, Peter Will, urged dismissal of the case outright, saying that Meza “is not a credible witness.” Will said police could not find any bloody rocks, hair, DNA or anything that links him to either victim.
Deputy District Attorney Mackenzie Harvey said security footage at a nearby McDonald’s clearly shows Huggins and Larson there at the same time, shortly before Huggins was injured. Harvey said Larson’s clothing on video matched the clothing seized by police.
Harvey also introduced evidence about the prior case against Larson that shows a motive to hurt Huggins.
Parsky said there was enough evidence for Larson to warrant a trial on all charges.
The deputy medical examiner testified Huggins had brain surgery to try and halt pressure as a result of blunt injury, but it could not halt the damage to the brain stem.
You came into my life when you where 21 years old. I remember the 1st time I met you. You where waiting for a Driver Trainer at the US Xpress Terminal in Tunnel Hill, GA. I still remember calling your name and you answered. You and I bonded like brothers during your time of training. Now ten years later, I am reading about your um-death. I was not aware of it until a few hours ago.
Jason,
You are so missed & forever loved not only by me but by all who were priveldged to call you “friend”. As for Joshua, I pray he is made to pay for his actions & may he be reminded daily of the damage he has done by taking you away from us all.