By Rod Leveque Staff Writer
Jon Christopher Blaylock, the suspect in the correctional officer murder.
RANCHO CUCAMONGA - The inmate accused of fatally stabbing a guard at the Chino men’s prison will probably have a preliminary hearing sometime in late October.
Jon Christopher Blaylock appeared Friday in West Valley Superior Court for the first time in four months to face charges he murdered Correctional Officer Manuel Gonzalez.
Gonzalez was stabbed to death inside the California Institution for Men on Jan. 10, 2005.
Blaylock, 37, was serving a life sentence at the time for attempted murder of a peace officer.
Both prosecutors and Blaylock’s attorneys told Judge Ingrid Uhler on Friday they are not prepared for the preliminary hearing, and that they need at least another three months to get ready.
Blaylock’s attorneys have been unable to focus on his case because they have spent the last several months defending serial killer Wayne Adam Ford, who was convicted in San Bernardino Superior Court for killing four women.
Prosecutors said they are still waiting to receive documents from Blaylock’s prison files.
Blaylock shuffled into the courtroom Friday morning amid heavy security. He was unable to walk normally because his feet were chained together. His hands were cuffed and locked to a chain around his waist.
During his preliminary hearing, a judge will decide whether prosecutors have enough evidence to justify taking the inmate to trial for the murder of Gonzalez.
Blaylock was ordered to return to court Sept. 15 for a pre-preliminary hearing conference, with the intention that his preliminary hearing will be held sometime in late October.
Uhler did not set an exact date for the preliminary hearing.
Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
http://www.dailybulletin.com/news/ci_4026196
