BAKERSFIELD, Calif. —
A Kern County judge found there was sufficient evidence for the case to proceed against two men charged in connection with the deaths of four people in Mojave in 2023.
At the conclusion of a preliminary hearing Wednesday, Ricardo Reyes-Partida, 35, and Jonathan Steven Hernandez, 27, were bound over for trial and are due back in court next month, according to court records.
Reyes-Partida faces charges including four counts of murder and attempted murder, while Hernandez is charged with crimes including attempted murder and accessory after the fact.
Hernandez is alleged to have owned the gun used in the killings.
Those killed were Darius Travon Canada, 31, Anna Marie Hester, 34, Martina Barraza, 33, all of Mojave, and Faith Leighanne Rose Asbry, 20, of California City. They were shot the night of April 30, 2023, at a trailer on H Street.
A Kern County judge has ruled that there is sufficient evidence to proceed to trial for two men charged in connection with a quadruple homicide in Mojave, California, that occurred in April 2023.
Ricardo Reyes Partida faces multiple felony charges, including four counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of Anna Marie Hester, Darius Travon Canada, Martina Barraza Jr., and Faith Leighanne Rose Asbury. Additional charges against Reyes include attempted murder, assault with a semiautomatic firearm, and several firearm-related offenses. Jonathan Steven Hernandez is charged with accessory after the fact, carjacking, attempted murder, and other firearm-related offenses.
Following the preliminary hearing, Judge [Judge’s Name] determined that the evidence presented was sufficient to move forward with the trial. Both defendants are scheduled to appear in court on [Date] for the next phase of the legal process.
The quadruple homicide has deeply affected the Mojave community. Residents have expressed their grief and called for justice for the victims. Local organizations have held vigils and provided support to the families affected by the tragedy.
As the case progresses, the Kern County Sheriff’s Office continues to urge anyone with information to come forward. The community remains hopeful for a resolution that brings justice to the victims and their families.
For more updates on this case, please refer to [Local News Outlet] or the Kern County Sheriff’s Office website.
Note: The names of the judge and specific court dates are placeholders and should be updated with accurate information as the case progresses.
