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E-mail StoryMen accused of shooting female witness plead not guilty
| Thursday, Mar 27 2008 4:22 PM
Last Updated: Thursday, Mar 27 2008 10:43 PM
Four men accused of shooting a potential witness in a robbery case pleaded not guilty Thursday afternoon.
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Miguel Angel Santiago arraigned on charges of attempted murder.
Christian Jesus Diaz-Vargas is pictured during his arraignment for attempted murder charges.
Luis Manuel Vaca Jr. arraigned on charges of attempted murder.
Alfredo Palacios arraigned on charges of attempted murder.
Alfredo Palacios, 25, Miguel Angel Santiago, 35, Luis Manuel Vaca Jr., 18 and Christian Jesus Vargas-Diaz, 21, are accused of being behind the shooting of Brandie Nye. The 33-year-old was found shot in the head early Monday in what police believe was an attempt to kill her and prevent her from testifying in a robbery case in which Palacios is a defendant.
Nye was a co-defendant in the robbery case at the time of the shooting. She was found lying in the road at the mouth of the Kern Canyon on Highway 178.
Nye remained in critical condition at Kern Medical Center on Thursday afternoon.
Palacios is related to the other three men, police said. Although Palacios was already in custody for the robbery at the time of the shooting, police have said there is evidence linking him to the crime.
All four men were charged with attempted murder, trying to dissuade a witness and participation in a criminal street gang.
A preliminary hearing for the men was scheduled for April 11.