Suspected Hells Angel Funeral Killer Arraigned In San Jose Court
SAN JOSE (KCBS) – The Hells Angels member accused of killing a fellow member at a San Jose funeral last year was arraigned on Wednesday without entering a plea.
38-year-old Steve Ruiz , who said little but did answer yes to a judge's question, is suspected of killing Hells Angels member Steve Tausan at Oak Hill Cemetery on October 15.
Ruiz' attorney John Fuery said he intends to ask for a gag order in the case.
"We don't want to spoil the jury pool by negative publicity. That's all," said Fuery. "He's entitled to a fair trial and the only way he's going to get that is with jurors who have not made their minds up before they come to court."
KCBS' Mike Colgan Reports:
Fuery said his client remains fairly calm and understands the situation he is in.
Ruiz, a former NUMMI employee, was arrested at a Fremont motel this past weekend following a four hour manhunt. Authorities had been looking for him since the funeral for Jeff "Jethro" Pettigrew at Oak Hill Cemetery in October. Pettigrew was killed in a Nevada casino in September.
His next court date is scheduled for March 15 when he is scheduled to enter a plea. In the meantime, he has been ordered held without bail.
(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
