Trevon Perry murder defendant makes first court appearance via Zoom
The man accused of killing Trevon Perry of Paso Robles, whose remains are believed to have been found in Riverside last week, made his first court appearance since being charged with murder.
Nicholas Christopher Ron Jr., also of Paso Robles, was charged Wednesday by the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office with one count of murder, a charge that carries a sentencing enhancement for the alleged use of a firearm.
Ron did not enter a plea at Thursday’s hearing and a further arraignment was scheduled for July 15 as the public defender’s office reviews a potential witness list in order to find Ron an appropriate attorney without any conflicts in the case.
In the meantime, Ron will remain in custody at the San Luis Obispo County Jail in lieu of $1.25 million bail, Superior Court Judge Dodie Harman ruled.
Attorney Ken Cirisan, making the initial appearance for the public defender’s office, requested that the court return to the issue of bail at a later hearing.
Perry, 27, was reported missing in mid-March after he was last seen leaving a friend’s house.
His remains were allegedly found in a house in Riverside on June 18, Paso Robles Police Chief Ty Lewis said at a June 26 news conference.
Officials have not released a motive for Perry’s alleged killing, but court records show that a few months before his disappearance, he testified for the prosecution in the murder case of Kejuan Bynum, who is accused of fatally stabbing Perry’s friend, Christopher Vento Wilson.
The District Attorney’s Office complaint against Ron says the 23-year-old shot and killed Perry with a handgun.
Ron, who is believed to have been an acquaintance of Perry’s, was arrested Sunday at his place of employment in Paso Robles following a months-long, multi-agency investigation and the service of dozens of search warrants across the state.
If convicted, Ron faces the possibility of life in prison.
Police also arrested Vivianna Rodriguez, 24, also of Paso Robles, on Tuesday related to the case. Police say Rodriguez acted as an accessory to Perry’s murder, but have not detailed her alleged role.
She was released after posting an unspecified amount of bail and has a tentative court date in August.
