Calif. Murder-for-Hire Trial Delayed After Witness Shot

A trial of a Fresno businessman in a murder-for-hire case has been delayed to January because a key prosecution witness was shot Tuesday in Clovis.

Daljit Singh, who is accused of trying to hire a hit man to kill former business partner Rama Kant Dawar, agreed this morning to waive his right to a speedy trial in Fresno County Superior Court.

If he didn't waive his right, the District Attorney's Office was ready to proceed with the case, said Singh's attorney, Anthony Capozzi.

After a brief hearing in Judge Gary Hoff's courtroom, Capozzi said Singh was eager to prove his innocence, but agreed to waive time so police can investigate the Tuesday shooting of Joe Luis Yzaguirre Jr.

Police said he was shot at a vacant home on Herndon Avenue between Armstrong and Temperance avenues. He called police and reported the shooting about 11 a.m. Tuesday

Capozzi said his client had nothing to do with Yzaguirre getting shot. He said Singh has been in jail since his arrest in April.

Capozzi said he "strongly advised" his client to waive time because he wants police to continue its investigation into the shooting of Yzaguirre. Because the shooting appears suspicious, Capozzi said he believes that Yzaguirre either had someone shoot him or he was shot by someone connected to another case in which he worked as a police informant.

Police said Singh and Dawar had been partners in a limousine business, but had a falling out. Singh wanted Dawar dead when a lawsuit was decided in Dawar's favor, police said.

Capozzi, however, contends Yzaguirre set up Singh to put him out of business. Singh and Yzaguirre have competing limousine services in Fresno, he said.

Working as a police informant, Yzaguirre secretly recorded Singh talking about wanting to hire a hitman to kill Dawar, police say.

After he was shot Tuesday, Yzaguirre was taken to Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno, but a spokeswoman said she was barred by law from discussing the victim's condition.

Capozzi said Yzaguirre apparently isn't seriously wounded. He said prosecutors told him this morning that they were ready to start the trial either later this week or Monday if Singh didn't waive his right to a speedy trial. Singh's next hearing is Jan. 5. His trial might start Jan. 26.

McClatchy-Tribune News Service