Slaying Suspect Pleads Not Guilty
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An Oxnard man Monday again denied killing a neighbor walking his dog the day after Christmas in a case that has implicated a former police officer as a possible accessory to the crime.
Joaquin “Jack” Ayala Jr., 21, pleaded not guilty in Ventura County Superior Court after a Municipal Court judge determined during a preliminary hearing earlier this month that Ayala should stand trial for the shotgun slaying of 21-year-old Josue Salazar Carrera.
During that hearing, prosecutors revealed that former Oxnard Police Officer Gary Zamberletti, 24, was under investigation for allegedly hiding the shotgun used in the slaying. The murder weapon has not been recovered.
No criminal charges have been filed against Zamberletti, who is married to Ayala’s sister. But prosecutors said they are continuing their investigation into his possible involvement. Zamberletti resigned from the force earlier this year after he became the target of the investigation.
Ayala faces life in prison if convicted of the first-degree murder charge. His trial is scheduled for next month.
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