Arraignment Delayed Again as Charges Against Alleged Pier Gunman Mount

By Teresa Rochester

The arraignment of Oswaldo Amezcua was delayed once again as the charges against the alleged gunman responsible for the July 4 shootings and hostage takeover on the pier continued to mount.

Amezcua, known on the streets as "Wizard," faces 10 additional counts, ranging from kidnapping to taking hostages. The new counts bring to 16 the total number of charges filed against the suspect in the early morning shooting that wounded three officers and three civilians and led to the taking of 15 hostages.

"Realistically he's looking at multiple life sentences," Deputy Dist. Atty. Larry Morrison, who filed the complaint Thursday, told reporters.

Lacking the bravado he displayed at last week's hearing, Amezcua sat with his eyes downcast as Superior Court Judge Richard Neidorf agreed to postpone for a week his arraignment and the arraignment of co-defendant Joseph Conrad Flores. Flores' arrest by Santa Monica Police triggered the shootout between Amezcua and police and the subsequent five-hour standoff.

The postponement will allow the defense and prosecution to continue their investigations and gives Morrison more time to file additional charges.

Amezcua now faces seven counts of attempted murder of a peace officer, one count of kidnapping, six counts of taking hostages, one count of assault with a firearm and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon. Amezcua - who with Flores is wanted in connection to three separate gang slayings -- currently is being held on $4.75 million bail.

Flores, also known as "Jojo" and "Noodles," has been charged with one count of possession of a firearm by a felon and parole violation. Morrison would not comment on whether or not he will file further charges against Flores, who is currently being held on $1 million bail.

At around 1:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 4, Santa Monica Police officers received a tip from the San Bernadino Sheriffs Department that Flores, who along with Amezcua is a suspect in three June slayings, was on the pier. After a brief scuffle with police Flores was arrested.

Amezcua stepped outside the Playland Arcade on the Pier just in time to see Flores' arrest. Witnesses said an agitated Amezcua came back inside the arcade. When he saw police at the entrance and rear of the building he grabbed a hostage as a human shield and began firing.

Amezcua is charged with one count of kidnapping and one count of assault with a firearm for reportedly grabbing the hostage.

He also faces seven charges of attempted murder of a peace officer for the three officers who were wounded during the shootout, as well as four other officers who were shot at but not hit.

Sgt. Jim Hirt and Officer Steve Wong, who both suffered leg injuries, were released from the hospital last week. Both are expected to spend the next two or three months recuperating before returning to work, police department spokesman Lt. Gary Galinot said Thursday.

Officer Chris Coria, who suffered a serious arm injury, was released from the hospital on July 11, Galinot said. Coria underwent 10 hours of surgery following the shootout and Galinot said she may have to undergo one or two more operations.

"We don't know her long-term prognosis," Galinot said.

Following the shootout, Amezcua reportedly made his 15 hostages form a barricade using air hockey tables and video games. He surrendered at approximately 6:30 in the morning.

Both Amezcua and Flores have lengthy previous records. Amezcua already has one strike on his record stemming from a 1993 conviction for felony evading police/disregard for public safety, according to records. Amezcua was sent back to prison after violating his parole only to be paroled again.

Flores, who reportedly belongs to the same Baldwin Park gang as Amezcua, is facing his third strike. At the time of his arrest, Flores was on parole for a 1995 robbery.