The man accused of purposely running down three joggers on Old Arcata Road -- killing a Humboldt State University instructor and severely injuring two others -- and the death of a Hoopa woman, pleaded not guilty Thursday to two counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder. He also denied special circumstance allegations of multiple murders, lying in wait and torture.
(Jason Anthony) Warren, clad in an orange jail jumpsuit with his hands shackled in front of him, appeared to listen without emotion as Superior Court Judge Dale Reinholtsen read the charges against him. He spent most of the short hearing staring straight ahead or looking down, except when answering the judge's questions.
The special circumstance allegations elevate the maximum sentence Warren faces, if convicted, from life in prison to life without the possibility of parole and the death penalty.
District Attorney Paul Gallegos -- who will be prosecuting the case against Warren -- was not at Thursday's arraignment. He said last week that he has not decided whether he will seek the death penalty.
Not at the arraignment? On the most important case he has on his plate? A potential death-penalty case?
It will be interesting to see if he does push for the death penalty - the weasel words are already showing up in his statements. He does love gag orders.
