SAN FERNANDO — Three young Canyon Country men, all clad in bright orange jail uniforms, appeared in San Fernando Superior Court on Thursday to face charges in the Halloween slaying of a would-be good Samaritan.

Each of the 17-year-olds, who are facing trial as adults, is charged with murder in a shooting in the parking lot of a Santa Clarita Valley strip mall on Soledad Canyon Road east of Sierra Highway in Canyon Country.

No plea was entered on any of the five charges faced by each defendant.

Only one of them is accused of pulling the trigger on the gun that killed Alejandro Sanchez Torrez, 31, whose 7-year-old son was nearby when he was killed.

The alleged shooter was identified Thursday as Diamonte J. McGhee. The other two are Branden T. Higgs and Eric M. Edwards.

Sanchez Torrez tried to come to the aid of a man who was allegedly being robbed by the suspects while arranging to sell them a Nintendo DS game system.

The alleged robbery victim, who was not identified, was shot in the leg.

Under California law, because Higgs and Edwards allegedly joined McGhee in the commission of the robbery during which the murder occurred, they also face murder charges.

Superior Court Judge Lloyd M. Nash ordered the trio to appear next month for an arraignment and to enter a plea.
All three are being held in custody at the Juvenile Hall in Sylmar.

On Thursday in San Fernando Superior Court, more than 20 spectators, who appeared to be family and friends, watched the three suspects who sat behind a protective barrier of glass and wire mesh.

Three lawyers stood in front of them, a lawyer for each suspect.

Pasasdena lawyer Christopher C. Chaney stood in front of his client, accused shooter McGhee.

Justine M. Esack, the Northridge lawyer representing Edwards, told Nash that she needed information about witnesses from the prosecutor, Assistant District Attorney Bradley Lieberman.

“All the addresses and witnesses are blacked out on the form I have,” she told the judge. “I need that information.
“I need to start my investigation right away.”

Cynthia J. Allen, the lawyer representing Higgs, echoed those sentiments, telling court Esack’s concerns were the concerns of all three defense lawyers.

“We’re talking about quite a number of witnesses,” Esack said. “No less than 10. Under the penal code, we’re entitled to that information.”

Lieberman replied: “We are hesitant to turn over that information.”

He cited the “potential danger of witnesses” as his prime concern.

Nash recommended that lawyers put their concerns in writing so that a determination could be made in court at a later date.

Lieberman noted: “The incident happened on Oct. 31. She has everything I have. When I get it, I will give it to her.”
In closing out the morning’s court proceedings, the judge said: “We’re dealing with multiple suspects and multiple witnesses.

“It’ll take a bit of time to resolve itself.”

The three accused men were ordered to return to court early next month for arraignment and to enter a plea.