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Barbershop killing suspects will go to trial

Two men accused in the ambush and fatal shooting of an Oak Park barbershop owner nearly one year ago are scheduled for a preliminary hearing Tuesday at the downtown courthouse.
SAN DIEGO (CNS) - A preliminary hearing was cut short Wednesday for two men accused in the ambush shooting death of an Oak Park barbershop owner when they agreed to proceed to trial.

Peter Johnson, 50, and Ian Patrick Guthrie, 39, are charged with murder in the May 9, 2014, death of Lamar Canady, a father of four.

After a day of testimony in their preliminary hearing, which had been expected to take three days, the defendants agreed to stand trial in Superior Court. Arraignment was set for May 5.

San Diego police Detective James Jones testified that surveillance video showed Johnson -- whose real name is Dion Chambers, according to prosecutors -- entering a liquor store next to the Official Cuts barbershop at 54th and Redwood streets just minutes before Canady was gunned down.

No murder weapon was found, but Johnson's fingerprints and DNA were found on a beer can he handled in the liquor store, Jones testified.

Jones said the victim was shot 16 times, including eight bullet wounds to the head.

Family members said they suspected the motive for the fatal shooting was retaliation because Canady was killed on a day associated with gang retribution.

Deputy District Attorney Sophia Roach alleged last year that Johnson -- a reputed member of a well-organized criminal organization -- came to San Diego a few days before May 9, 2014, to carry out the murder.

According to court testimony, Johnson was involved in a prison break in Jamaica and has served time in that country. He was arrested last September in Kansas City, Missouri.

Guthrie -- an alleged member of a high-level international drug trafficking operation -- acted as a lookout in the planned and premeditated killing, Roach said. According to court testimony, Guthrie is a former boxer. He was arrested last August in San Diego.

Johnson faces 50 years to life in prison if convicted of murder and the use of a gun. Guthrie faces 25 years to life behind bars if convicted of murder.

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