BANNING (CNS) - A convicted felon accused of gunning down a 20-year-
old man and wounding his female companion near downtown Hemet pleaded not
guilty today to murder and attempted murder.Roman Ralph Mendez, 21, of Castro Valley was arrested earlier this
month following a Hemet Police Department investigation into the double
shooting in October.Along with the murder and attempted murder counts, Mendez is charged
with being a felon in possession of a gun, as well as sentence-enhancing gun
and great bodily injury allegations.The defendant was arraigned before Riverside County Superior Court
Judge Mark Singerton, who scheduled a felony settlement conference for Feb. 2
at the Banning Justice Center and ordered that Mendez remain held in lieu of $2
million bail at the Benoit
