Arraignment Delayed For Fifth Time

Arraignment was postponed for a fifth time today to give more time for a psychologist's report to be completed in the case of a Palm Desert man accused of killing a father and his 2-year-old daughter.

Juan Carlos Alcala surrendered himself into custody shortly after the April 8 attack that killed Felipe Lozano Jr. and his daughter Doria Lozano-Reynoso at the Hovely Gardens Condominiums at 74501 42nd Ave. The girl's grandmother, Afra Lozano, 43, was wounded in the attack.

Alcala, 42, faces two counts of first-degree murder and a count of attempted murder with a special circumstance allegation of committing multiple murders that could make him eligible for the death penalty.

Prosecutors will make a decision in the coming months on whether to pursue capital punishment or life in prison without parole.

During a May appearance, his attorney, O.G. Magno of the Riverside Capital Defense Team, asked a judge to appoint a psychologist to examine him.

"We're waiting for a couple more reports,'' Magno told Riverside County Superior Court Judge John J. Ryan.

The hearing was put off until Aug. 12 for Alcala, who used a Spanish interpreter.

The report will likely help Magno determine whether to have his client plead not guilty by insanity or not.

Deputy District Attorney Manny Bustamante did not object to the delay. He said outside of court that nearly all of the discovery, or evidence, has been turned over to the defense.