SAN DIEGO _ A June trial date was set Thursday for the Rancho Penasquitos man facing murder, attempted murder and hate crime charges in a Poway synagogue shooting.
John Timothy Earnest, 20, appeared in San Diego Superior Court wearing leg and waist chains and sat quietly except to say "yes" when Presiding Judge Peter Deddeh asked if he agreed to that the trial would be scheduled for June 2.
Prosecutors said they have not yet decided whether to seek the death penalty against Earnest and acknowledged that the trial date could change once the decision is made.
If they do seek the death penalty, Deputy Public Defender John O'Connell said a second defense attorney will be appointed to assist him and the trial likely would be delayed several months. He said he expects prosecutors to make their decision in the next month or two.
Earnest is charged with murder, three counts of attempted murder and hate crime allegations in the April 27 shootings at Chabad of Poway. Congregant Lori Gilbert-Kaye, 60, was killed, Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein was shot in both hands, causing him to lose an index finger, while Almog Peretz, 34, and his niece, Noya Dahan, 8, were wounded. The shootings were caught on security camera video.
Earnest was arrested a short time later after he called 911, told a San Diego police dispatcher that he had just shot some people at a synagogue, and waited for officers to arrive. He also is charged with a March arson at an Escondido mosque.
He also faces federal charges related to the same incidents. Prosecutors in that case have not decided whether to seek the death penalty.
