SANTA MARIA, Calif. - News cameras were not allowed inside Santa Maria Court for the first appearance of three of four suspects charged in a homicide that may result in a death penalty prosecution.
Santa Maria Police say the body of 28-year-old Anthony Ibarra was found in the back of a U-Haul truck found parked in an Orcutt neighborhood on Tuesday.
Police arrested Ramon Maldonado, Carmen Cardenas and Pedro Torres on murder charges in connection with Ibarra's death.
A fourth suspect, Reyes Gonzales, currently in Santa Barbara County Jail, has also been charged in Ibarra's death which is linked to a home on West Donovan Road.
Reyes Gonzales was arrested last year after a drug raid on a home in Orcutt and also charged with child endangerment.
Santa Maria Police say Gonzales violated his AB 109 probation at the time of his arrest last year and is a documented gang member.
Wednesday afternoon in court, the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's office revealed it is alleging torture was used in Anthony Ibarra's death which would open the door for a death penalty prosecution.
No plea was entered to the murder charges against the three suspects in court Wednesday.
All four suspects are expected back in Santa Maria Court on Friday morning for a formal arraignment on the charges against them.
