Murder Trial Set for Suspect in Carlsbad Stabbing Death

A man accused in the stabbing death of a 27-year-old man outside a pub in Carlsbad must stand trial on a murder charge, a judge ruled today.

Juan Alberto Rocha, 20, is charged in the March 25 death of Devin Allen
of Oceanside.

After a preliminary hearing at the Vista Courthouse this morning, Judge
Runston Maino found that enough evidence had been presented for Rocha to stand trial Nov. 30. A readiness conference was set for Nov. 9.

Rocha allegedly attacked Allen as he walked to his car near Harding
Street and Carol Place in Carlsbad shortly before 10:30 p.m. that Friday, and
Allen was declared dead at Palomar Medical Center about an hour later.

Detectives identified Rocha as the suspect based on witness statements
and evidence from scene, Carlsbad police Sgt. Mickey Williams said. No motive
has been disclosed.

Several people saw the attack but heard no argument beforehand,
according to Williams.

Rocha was arrested four days after the stabbing at a Greyhound depot in
Indianapolis.

–City News Service