Jury selection began Monday in the trial of a felon accused of gunning down a man during a confrontation in Moreno Valley.
David Diaz, 40, of Los Angeles, allegedly killed 44-year-old Giovanni Ibarra in 2023.
Diaz is charged with first-degree murder, firearm assault and sentence-enhancing gun and great bodily injury allegations.
Riverside County Superior Court Judge Jason Armand on Monday began the process of screening multiple panels of prospective jurors as to their availability and qualifications.
A jury is not expected to be seated before the end of the week. Trial proceedings will likely continue for several weeks at the Riverside Hall of Justice.
Diaz is being held in lieu of $1 million bail at the Robert Presley Jail.
According to sheriff’s Sgt. Steve Brosche, about 2:30 a.m. April 23, 2023, Diaz and the victim were involved in an unspecified confrontation in the 25000 block of Joshua Avenue, near Agave Street. During the encounter, Diaz allegedly pulled a handgun and opened fire, mortally wounding Ibarra, Brosche said.
He said the defendant fled as witnesses called 911.
Patrol deputies reached the location minutes later and found Ibarra gravely wounded. Attempts to revive him were unsuccessful, and paramedics pronounced the victim dead at the scene.
Central Homicide Unit detectives quickly developed leads pointing to Diaz as the alleged shooter, and he was tracked to Otay Mesa in San Diego County, where he was taken into custody without incident less than 24 hours after the alleged attack.
A possible motive was not disclosed.
According to court records, Diaz has at least one prior felony conviction in another jurisdiction, but the offense was not listed.