A Sept. 11 trial date has been set for a 22-year-old man accused of fatally shooting Santa Paula market owner Mirna Regollar during a robbery attempt two years ago.
Alfredo "Freddy" Hernandez is charged with murder, attempted robbery and burglary in connection with the June 2, 1998, slaying. Hernandez, a Santa Paula resident, has pleaded not guilty.
He also faces two special-circumstance allegations that make him eligible for the death penalty. Those allegations are that the slaying occurred during a robbery attempt and a burglary.
Prosecutors are expected to announce in the coming weeks whether they will seek the death penalty.
During a preliminary hearing earlier this month, Hernandez's former housemate, Jose "Pepe" Castillo, testified that he saw the defendant shoot Regollar once in the head during the holdup at Junior's Market.
