Jones

Petitioners Sterling and Neil Jones are presently charged by information with first degree murder of Charlotte Andrea Turner (§ 187). Indisputably the evidence adduced at the preliminary hearing demonstrates that Turner met her death execution-style. As just punishment, the People seek imposition of the death penalty. The information alleges four special circumstances: (1) that the murder of Charlotte Turner was committed while defendant Neil Jones was engaged in and was an accomplice in the commission, the attempted commission, and the flight thereafter of the felony rape (§ 190.2, subd. (a)(17)(iii)); (2) the same allegations as to defendant Sterling Jones; (3) that the murder of Charlotte Turner was committed while the defendant Neil Jones was engaged in and was an accomplice in the commission, the attempted commission, and the flight thereafter of the felony of oral copulation (§ 190.2, subd. (a)(17)(vi)); (4) the same allegations as to defendant Sterling Jones.

The Superior Court of Alameda County (Honorable Martin Pulich) denied petitioners’ section 995 motions to dismiss the special circumstances allegations against them. These petitions for writs of mandamus…