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SALT LAKE CITY — A West Jordan man pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges that he shot a man in the head, killing him, during a Halloween party at a Salt Lake warehouse.
Roy Anthony Duran, 20, also waived his rights to have a preliminary hearing and a judge ordered him to stand trial on charges of murder, a first-degree felony, plus being a restricted person in possession of a firearm and obstructing justice, second-degree felonies.
A hearing was set for later this month to set dates for the trial.
Duran is accused of shooting Isaiah Valerio, 21, at close range in a warehouse at 548 W. 600 South about 1:20 a.m. on Oct. 24.
Witnesses told police that Duran had been "attempting to fight partygoers" and had lifted his shirt several times to show that he had a gun tucked in his waistband, according to charging documents. One girl told investigators that Duran had actually taken a swing at another person at the party and missed and hit Valerio, who was not provoking Duran.
"When others observed this, they immediately jumped Duran for punching Isaiah," the charges say.
Duran is accused of then pulling out his gun and racking the slide, prompting others to run. During the scuffle, the girl told police she was also punched in the stomach and was bent over in pain and said Valerio had leaned over to make sure she was OK.
"As Isaiah was standing back up, Duran approached him and fired his gun at Isaiah's face," the charges allege.
Duran turned himself into the police two days later.
