Photo courtesy of Teresa Biery
Railroad spikes were plunged into the bodies of three San Diego homeless men who were killed in a series of attacks, a prosecutor told a judge on Tuesday.
Deputy District Attorney Makenzie Harvey told San Diego Superior Court Judge Fred Maguire the actions by Jon David Guerrero, 39, involved “extreme planning in each of the occasions in which the victims were sleeping.”
Harvey said a railroad spike was plunged into the head and chest of Angelo DeNardo, 53, who was attacked where he was sleeping under the Interstate 5 Bridge near Mission Bay July 3. An autopsy determined he died before his body was set on fire.
Harvey said railroad spikes were used in the deaths of Shawn Longley, 41, in Ocean Beach July 4 and Dionicio Vahidy, 23, who was found downtown July 6 and died in a hospital July 10.
The prosecutor told a judge one surviving victim had a railroad spike cut into his sinus cavity and he was left blind. The fifth victim in Golden Hill was also attacked with a railroad spike. She said police found railroad spikes and a mallet in Guerrero’s downtown apartment, along with identification from two victims.
“Each of them was caught unaware; each was vulnerable,” said Harvey. “With such extensive planning, sophistication, I feel he does understand the (court) proceedings.”
Harvey said these actions are not “from a disorganized mind,” adding “he’s articulate, intelligent.”
Harvey opposed the request by Guerrero’s attorney, Dan Tandon, to suspend criminal proceedings, and asked for the court to appoint psychiatrists to evaluate Guerrero without suspending proceedings.
“I’m harboring a doubt Mr. Guerrero is competent to stand trial,” said Tandon.
Maguire said he had suspended criminal proceedings before for Guerrero in a robbery case and was obligated to suspend proceedings again, based on his attorney’s belief he could not be arraigned.
Psychiatrists will examine Guerrero, 39, in jail Sept. 22 and report their findings to another judge Oct. 7.
Meanwhile, a memorial service for DeNardo will be held Sunday, Aug. 7 at 12:45 p.m. at the Metropolitan Community Church where he attended for two years. The services will also be a memorial for the two other slain victims, Shawn Longley and Dionicio Vahidy.
MCC is located at 2633 Denver Street. Everyone is invited whether they knew any of the victims or not. It is hoped the service could be an opportunity for healing.
“My heart is grieved over the senseless murders of these homeless individuals,” said MCC Senior Pastor Dan Koeshall in a statement.
