The plea hearing for five suspects who police say were involved
in the home invasion, theft and torture of a Gilroy resident was
moved to June 14 during a court appearance Tuesday at the South
County Courthouse in Morgan Hill.
The plea hearing for five suspects who police say were involved in the home invasion, theft and torture of a Gilroy resident was moved to June 14 during a court appearance Tuesday at the South County Courthouse in Morgan Hill.
The victim, 59-year-old Gilroy resident Gary Wise, was also present for the hearing. He was accompanied by a small crew of supporters including family, neighbors and the two detectives who have been working on the case for months.
“We’re grateful and happy,” said Wise’s nephew Tim Bowers, who has assumed the role of family spokesman. “Relief will come when justice is served.”
None of the six suspects have entered pleas since their May 3 arrest in the Feb. 6 break-in and brutal assault inside Wise’s home on the 1000 block of Rucker Avenue, according to Troy Benson, deputy district attorney for Santa Clara County.
“We’re nowhere near a trial on this case,” he said.
One of the suspects is a minor, who will not be tried with the other five.
Benson said the suspects waived their right to a speedy trial so defense attorneys can obtain more information about the case and be “competent” as future hearings approach.
The hearing was also interrupted for a short time when a fire alarm went off, requiring everyone in the courthouse to evacuate.
CalFire Capt. Brandon Leitzke confirmed the courthouse did conduct a drill requiring the evacuation of the building, though many details aren’t known.
“They just said they were doing an evacuation drill at the courthouse,” he said.
Leitzke said he wasn’t given details as to when or why the drill would occur, only that it was planned for today.
“I have no idea what their agenda of the training was,” he said.
