Man Accused in Julian Shooting Will Stand Trial on Attempted Murder Charges

A man accused of shooting a male acquaintance outside a trailer home in Julian must stand trial on charges of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon and being a felon in possession of a firearm, a judge ruled today.

The March 28 shooting in which Jeffery Roberson, 48, is charged came to light shortly before 9 a.m., when a motorist driving through Julian spotted the 34-year-old victim lying on a roadside in the area of Banner Road and Apple Lane, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

The driver picked up the wounded man and drove him to a nearby fire station, where medics airlifted him to Palomar Medical Center in Escondido, sheriff's Sgt. Tom Poulin said. He survived.

Based on statements from the victim, deputies went to a large residential lot in the 35600 block of state Route 78, where they arrested Roberson, who resides there. Roberson's live-in girlfriend was also arrested but later released after authorities decided not to charge her in the case.

It was unclear what prompted the gunfire, though Poulin said the defendant and the victim were acquaintances and the victim had visited the defendant's trailer in the past.

Following the shooting, the victim walked more than a mile before collapsing. It appeared that a single round from a small-caliber gun had passed through his left arm before lodging in his neck, Poulin said.

Judge Allan Preckel ruled that enough evidence was presented during today's preliminary hearing to order the defendant to stand trial Aug. 26. A readiness conference was set for July 23.

—City News Service