The Mexican man acquitted of murder in a San Francisco case that prompted immigration debate has been denied release from jail pending trial on federal gun charges.
Jose Ines Garcia Zarate appeared in federal court Monday to face two illegal gun possession charges, which were filed after a San Francisco jury acquitted him of murder for the July 2015 fatal shooting of Kate Steinle. Garcia Zarate has been deported five times and has spent a combined 17 years in U.S. prisons for three illegal re-entry convictions before the shooting.
Garcia Zarate says he found the gun that killed Steinle under a seat on a San Francisco pier. He says it accidentally fired when he picked it up.
He was transferred from San Francisco jail to federal custody over the weekend.
Garcia Zarate will be in court next on Feb. 13 at 10:30 a.m. to plead not guilty, his lawyer Tony Serra said.
Update on #Zarate: In fed. court today presented himself w/ a different name, Juan Jose Dominguez de la Parra, and a different age (54 instead of 45). That said, attorney Tony Serra says he’s still known as #Zarate. Cannot bond out for federal charges bc of outstanding violations— Sam Brock (@SamNBCBayArea) January 8, 2018
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Today defense attorney Tony Serra acknowledged: “I know it’s a fishing expedition” looking for evidence that fed. govt. colluded w/ state to charge #Zarate. About to begin process of discovery, motion may not be filed for weeks or months. Next court date Feb. 13 pic.twitter.com/9UaUaMMAUW
— Sam Brock (@SamNBCBayArea) January 8, 2018
Atty Tony Serra vows to defend "vindictive charges" by the Trump admin against immigrant Garcia Zarate. #KateSteinle pic.twitter.com/gC7Wh9Mwzu
— Riya (@loislane28) January 5, 2018
"Shame on the Trump administration...for these vindictive charges:" Atty Tony Serra pic.twitter.com/fHsIu81w1x
— Riya (@loislane28) January 5, 2018
