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Judge denies lowering bond for teen facing 8 attempted murder charges in drive-by shooting

An El Paso County judge denied reducing the bond for a 19-year-old facing a slew of charges after allegedly opening fire on a Colorado Springs residence with eight people inside, including a baby, in early April.

Ruben Sandoval, 19, was charged with eight counts of attempted murder with “extreme indifference” after his May arrest, court records show. Sandoval also faces several charges related to the illegal discharge of a firearm.

According to court documents the drive-by shooting followed alleged internet “beef” that turned violent.

During Wednesday’s hearing, public defender William Patrick asked Judge William Bain to lower Sandoval’s bond from $100,000 to $25,000, citing his age and the psychological impact of remaining in jail. Patrick argued the April incident “seems like an odd blip” for Sandoval, who has a limited criminal record.

However, according to Sandoval’s arrest affidavit, he has been investigated by police for various motor vehicle theft cases and unlawful possession of weapons, but no cases were opened.

Some of the conditions of the bond Patrick argued for included requiring Sandoval to wear an ankle monitor and submit to random drug tests.

The prosecution encouraged Bain to keep the bond at $100,000, arguing Sandoval is a flight risk. Prosecutor Sharon Flaherty said the charges Sandoval currently faces are “as serious as it gets.”

If Sandoval takes his case to trial and is convicted of all eight counts of attempted murder, he is looking at a minimum sentence of 128 years with the maximum sentence reaching upwards of 300 to 400 years in prison.

Bain denied the defense’s request to reduce the bond amount, agreeing with Flaherty regarding the seriousness of the alleged crimes.

Sandoval was set for a preliminary hearing on Wednesday, but a joint filing by the defense and prosecution requesting a delay was granted by Bain. Both sides agreed they needed more time to review the evidence in the case.

Sandoval’s next appearance in the 4th Judicial District is scheduled for July 10. The prosecution estimates the preliminary hearing will take about two hours.

The investigation into the shooting appears to be ongoing based on Wednesday’s hearing. According to Patrick, one juvenile co-defendant has been named in the case and has an active warrant as of Wednesday.

Ruben Sandoval (Courtesy of CSPD)
Ruben Sandoval (Courtesy of CSPD)


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