A trial date has been set for a man accused of murder in connection with a gang-related drive-by shooting two years ago.
Matthew Sellers, 20, the alleged driver of the truck carrying the gunman, faces charges of murder, a first-degree felony, two counts of attempted murder, a second-degree felony, and failure to stop at the command of a police officer, a third-degree felony.A five-day jury trial for Sellers is set to begin Aug. 2. A trial date for Michael Anthony Figueroa, 18, also charged with murder and attempted murder, has not been set.
At the conclusion of a preliminary hearing March 17, 3rd District Judge Robert Hilder ordered Sellers to stand trial for the Aug. 9, 1997, fatal shooting of David Castillo, 27.
During the preliminary hearing, witnesses testified that although the shooting was clearly gang-related, Castillo had just been sitting on a bus bench with his buddies when he was gunned down by a passing pickup truck.
Earlier in the night, police say there had been an exchange of signs between rival gang members who gathered on opposite corners of 900 South and State Street. About 1:30 a.m., 8 to 10 police officers were standing on the southeast corner of the intersection questioning gang members when a truck drove by.
Between four and eight shots were fired from the back of the truck, according to witnesses. Castillo was hit in the head. A friend standing next to him was also struck, receiving minor injuries.
Police chased the truck for about a half hour until it stopped.