In the Pasadena Courthouse This Week

This week, two high-profile Pasadena criminal cases will move forward in Pasadena Courthouse of the Los Angeles County Superior Court. Here’s an update and profile of each of these cases.
Preliminary Hearing Setting for Miguel Castaneda and Valentina Rosales, January 16
Miguel Castaneda and Valentina Rosales are charged with the murder of a 23-year-old man during a fight October 1, 2018, in the parking lot of the Rose Bowl in Pasadena.
Castaneda, 23, of Los Angeles, faces one count of murder with an allegation of using a knife as a deadly and dangerous weapon. Rosales, 23, of Pasadena, faces one count of accessory after the fact.
Prosecutors said Demetrio Tapia Jr., 22, a Pasadena resident, was stabbed to death on October 1 last year. Investigators believe the killing stemmed from a heated exchange on social media.
The criminal complaint includes allegations that Castaneda was convicted in 2017 for vehicle theft with a prior and Rosales was convicted in 2015 for second-degree robbery.
Bail for Castaneda is set at more than $2 million and at more than $1 million for Rosales. If convicted as charged, Castaneda faces a possible maximum sentence of 27 years to life in state prison. Rosales faces up to six years in prison.
Deputy District Attorney Iliana M. Alvarez is prosecuting.
 
Preliminary Hearing Setting for Jose Antonio Santiago, January 16
Jose Antonio Santiago, 66, is charged with charged with two felony counts: one count of murder and one count of attempted murder, for allegedly fatally stabbing a man and wounding another on September 12, 2018.
Prosecutors said Santiago allegedly stabbed Jerry Chan, 42, and Dan Trevino, 32, in the 2600 block of E. Colorado Blvd. in Pasadena. Chan was fatally stabbed and Trevino was stabbed in the leg. The defendant was arrested soon after the attack.
The felony complaint includes allegations that the defendant personally used a knife and inflicted great bodily injury.
If convicted as charged, he faces a maximum possible sentence of life in state prison.
Deputy District Attorney Christopher Stogel is prosecuting.