The man charged with murder in the death of a San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputy pleaded not guilty on Thursday, March 20.
Ryan Dwayne Turner Jr., 22, of San Bernardino, appearing in Superior Court in Victorville, also denied charges of evading a peace officer with wanton disregard for safety and taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent. He faces 17 years to life in state prison if convicted of all three felony charges, District Attorney Jason Anderson said.
The District Attorney’s Office successfully argued to keep Turner in jail without the possibility of bail. Turner is being represented by the county Public Defender’s Office.
Judge Rasheed S. Alexander denied requests by the six media outlets, including the Southern California News Group, that had requested the court’s permission to photograph or videotape the hearing. In some instances when a large number of media makes such requests, a judge will designate one photographer and one videographer to record the proceedings and share the images.
Turner’s next court date is on April 8.
He was arrested Monday afternoon, March 17, at the end of a pursuit in Victorville during which Deputy Hector Cuevas Jr., 36, died in a collision with a civilian car. The chase was in its early stages when Cuevas collided with a car driven by a Victorville resident at El Evado and Seneca roads around 11 a.m.
Cuevas died at the scene. The other driver was treated at a hospital and released.
Other charges against Turner are possible as the investigation continues, Anderson said.
Also Thursday, the Sheriff’s Department warned that scammers are soliciting donations ostensibly for Cuevas’ family, which includes his wife and two children. The department said links to authorized fundraisers are on the websites of the Peace Officers Research Association of California and the Sheriff’s Department.
Wednesday, Cuevas’ body was transferred from the Coroner’s Office to the Community Memorial Chapel of San Bernardino.
Later, family members and friends held a candlelight vigil for Cuevas, who graduated from Carter High in Rialto and lived in Fontana. Mourners formed candles and rose petals into the shape of a heart. They also placed candles to spell the initials HC.
Funeral services were pending.
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