STOCKTON - Two men accused of involvement in a July 2014 Stockton bank robbery and deadly shootout could possibly go on trial in January 2016.
That development was announced Monday in court at another hearing for Jaime Ramos and Pablo Ruvalcaba. Ramos is accused of being one of three men who entered a Bank of the West on July 16, took hostages and then engaged in a shootout with police during an hour-long chase.
Ruvalcaba is accused of being the driver who took the three suspects to the bank that day. He faces the same charges as Ramos for his alleged role in the crime spree.
The two other bank robbers were shot and killed that day as was hostage Misty Singh.
Also in court Monday, San Joaquin County prosecutor Robert Himelblau said the trial would likely last about eight weeks. He also said his office will soon determine if Ramos and Ruvalcaba are subject to the death penalty if they are convicted.
The suspects will return to court May 4 for the setting of a trial date, and for the announcement by Himelblau as to whether the district attorney is pursuing the death penalty.
