Murder trial will resume Tuesday

The trial of a Madera man accused of killing a teen in 2013 has been set to resume next week.

At the Madera County Superior Courthouse, Judge Dale J. Blea ordered the proceedings on the trial of suspect David Solis Ramos, 22, to pick up again on Tuesday, after their last meeting, which occurred Thursday.

“It has taken quite a bit of time and hard work on the part of my deputy district attorney,” said Madera County District Attorney David A. Linn. “However, this case is finally coming to a conclusion. I’m confident that this case will resolve in a conviction, and that justice will be done.” Ramos is on trial for the murder of Jorge Navarro, 17, in Madera.

According to the Madera County Sheriff’s Office, Navarro was shot and killed on the evening of Sept. 3, 2013, while he was walking with his fiancé, Julia Morales, and one other person, a male, near Road 27 and Martin Street.

According to reports, a lone van pulled up on the three, and one suspect, wearing a hat and a bandana, drew his gun, firing a single shot that struck Navarro in the head. The shooting is believed to be gang-related.

Another witness, Brandon Denney, was visiting his grandparents that night, when he saw the van pull up, and Navarro was killed. Brandon testified on Thursday that he was unable to get a clear view of the suspect because he was at a distance, but did see the shooter fire once. After the shooting, Denney claimed to have run back inside to call 911.

Ramos was arrested the next month by the Madera County Sheriff’s Office.

According to Linn’s office, there were five other people in the van with Ramos, and they are hopeful that all five will testify in the case.